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The Lifetime of a Home



Here are some things along with the number of years they can or may sustain:

1. Surface Preparation:

Surface Preparation and paint quality are the most important determinants of a paint’s life expectancy. Ultraviolet rays can shorten life expectancy, along with indoor and outdoor conditions when it comes to humidity and temperature. Due to this, it is advised that a place should be inspected and maintained seasonally. One of the most common questions people come up with is how long the roof will last in a new house?

  • Construction Glue - 20+ years

  • Paint (exterior) – 7 to 10 years

  • Paint (interior) – 10-15 years

  • Sealants – 8 years

  • Roofing Adhesives/Cement (asphalt shingles) – 15+ years

2. Appliances

A life expectancy of an appliance solely depends on the use it receives. Going to back to our accessory theory, it is not guaranteed that an appliance will make it through its expectancy as many owners decide to change or replace their appliance to meet their styling or technology needs.

  • Air Conditioner (window) – 5 to 7 years

  • Air Conditioner (Central) - 15 to 25 years

  • Dehumidifier – 8 years

  • Dishwasher – 9 years

  • Disposal (food waste) – 12 years

  • Cloth Dryer – 13 years

  • Exhaust Fans – 10 years

  • Freezer – 10 to 20 years

  • Gas Oven – 10 to 18 years

  • Microwave Oven – 9 years

  • Range/Oven Hood – 14 years

  • Electric Range – 13 to 15 years

  • Gas Range – 15 to 17 years

  • Refrigerator – 9 to 13 years

  • Washing Machine – 5 to 15 years

3. Cabinets

Everyone needs and wants a storage area. Depending on which room the cabinets are in can add or shed years from its life.

  • Bathroom Cabinets – 50+ years

  • Closet shelves – 100+ years

  • Home office – 10 years

  • Garage/Laundry – 70+ years

  • Kitchen – 20-50 years

  • Medicine – 25+ years

4. Ceilings and Walls

Usually, they last the full lifespan of the home.

  • Ceramic Tile – 70+ years

  • Concrete – 75+ years

  • Wood panelling – 20 to 50 years

5. Countertops

Stone countertops have become less expensive than they were just a few years ago, hence becoming popular; however, they have a much shorter life expectancy.

  • Concrete – 50 years

  • Marble – 20 years

  • Natural Stone – 100+ years

  • Laminate – 20 to 30 years

  • Tile and Wood – 100+ years

6. Decks

Since these are exposed to a range of conditions and climate changes, they can age away quicker than all other parts.

  • Deck planks – 15 years

  • Wood – 10 to 30 years

7. Doors

Like decks, doors are prone to have a shorter life expectancy.

  • Closet (interior) – 100+ years

  • Fiberglass (exterior) – 100+ years

  • Fire-Rated Steel (exterior) – 100+ years

  • Screen (exterior) – 30 years

  • Sliding Patio Door (exterior) – 20 years

  • Vinyl (exterior) – 20 years

  • Wood (exterior) – 100+ years

8. Electrical

  • Bulbs (compact fluorescent) – 8k to 10k+ hours

  • Bulbs (LED)  - 30k to 50k+ hours

  • Fixtures – 40 years

  • Lighting Controls – 30+ years

  • Solar panels – 20 to 30 years

9. Flooring

The life is dependent on the maintenance and foot traffic

  • Carpet – 8 to 10 years

  • Wood – 100+ years

  • Brick – 100+ years

  • Concrete – 50+ years

  • Granite – 100+ years

  • Laminate – 15 to 25 years

  • Marble – 100+ years

  • Tile – 75 to 100 years

  • Vinyl – 25 years

10. Foundations

  • Baseboard Waterproofing System – 50 years

  • Concrete block – 100+ years

  • Post and Pier – 20 to 65 years

  • Slab on grade (concrete) 100 years

  • Wood – 5 to 40 years

11. Garages

The longevity depends on the usage.

  • Garage Doors – 20 to 25 years

  • Garage door openers – 10 to 15 years

12. Home Technology

Have diverse life expectancies and may need to be upgraded due to the evolution in technology.

  • Built-In Audio – 20 years

  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors – 5 years

  • Door Bells – 45 years

  • Home Automation System – 5 to 50 years

  • Intercoms – 20 years

  • Security System – 5 to 20 years

  • Smoke/Heat Detectors – less than 10 years

13. HVAC

It can last up to years but is usually replaced before they fail due to technological improvements.

  • Central Air Conditioning – 15 to 25 years

  • Air Exchanger – 15 years

  • Boiler – 40 years

  • Ceiling Fan – 5 to 10 years

  • Dehumidifier – 8 years

  • Ducting – 60 to 100 years

  • Furnace – 20 to 25 years

  • Heat-Recovery Ventilator – 20 years

  • Hot-Water and Steam-Radian Boiler – 40 years

  • Induction and Fan-Coil Units – 10 to 15 years

14. Panels

The lifetime depends on moisture intrusion.

  • Plywood – 100 years

  • Softwood – 30 years

  • Wall Panels – 100+ years

  • Particleboard – 60 years

15. Plumbing and Fixtures

  • Acrylic Kitchen Sink – 50 years

  • Copper Water Lines – 70 years

  • Concrete Waste Pipe – 100+ years

  • Faucets and Spray Hose -15 to 20 years

  • Gas Lines (black steel) – 75 years

  • Water Heater – 10 years

  • Plastic Water Lines – 75 years

  • Shower Doors – 20 years

  • Showerheads – 100+ years – if not clogged

  • Toilet Tank Components – 10 years

  • Whirlpool Tub – 20 to 50 years

16. Roofing

  • Aluminum Coating – 3 to 7 years

  • Asphalt Shingles – 20 years

  • Asphalt – 30 years

  • Clay/Concrete – 100+ years

  • Copper – 70+ years

 

In short, the life expectancy of a house varies with usage, weather installation, maintenance and quality of the material.

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