A well-built home can last for hundreds of years, but many of its parts must be replaced or renovated regularly. Here’s a sampling of the life expectancy for different products and materials used in the home, as listed in a report titled “1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends” published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) based in Washington, D.C.
Appliances
Compactor: 10 years
Dishwasher: 10 years
Garbage disposal: 10 years
Dryer: 10 years
Freezer (compact): 12 years
Freezer (standard): 16 years
Microwave oven: 11 years
Range (free-standing and built-in, electric): 17 years
Range (free-standing and built-in, gas): 19 years
Range (high oven, gas): 14 years
Refrigerator (compact): 14 years
Refrigerator (standard): 17 years
Washer (automatic and compact): 13 years
Exhaust fan: 20 years
Bathrooms
Cast iron bathtub: 50 years
Fibreglass bathtub and shower: 10-15 years
Shower door (average quality): 25 years
Toilet: 50 years
Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets: 15-20 years
Medicine cabinet/ bath vanity: 20 years
Countertops
Laminate: 10-15 years
Ceramic tile (high-grade installation): Lifetime
Wood/ butcher block: 20+ years
Granite: 20+ years
Doors
Screen: 25-50 years
Interior (not perfect hollow core): <30 years
Interior (solid core wood): 30+ years
Exterior (protected overhang): 80-100 years
Exterior (unprotected/exposed): 25-30 years
Folding: 30+ years
Garage door: 25-50 years
Garage door opener: 10 years
Heating, ventilation & air conditioning
Furnace (gas or oil-fired): 18 years
Air conditioning unit (central): 15 years
Air conditioning unit (window): 10 years
Humidifier: 8 years
Water heater (electric): 14 years
Water heater (gas): 13 years
Forced-air furnace, heat pump: 18 years
Home security & appliances
Intrusion system: 14 years
Smoke detector: 5-10 years
Smoke/fire/intrusion system: 10 years
Landscaping
Wooden deck: 15 years
Brick and concrete patio: 24 years
Tennis court: 10 years
Concrete walk: 24 years
Gravel walk: 4 years
Asphalt driveway: 10 years
Swimming pool: 18 years
Sprinkler system: 12 years
Fence: 12 years
Paints & stains
Exterior paint on wood, brick, and aluminium: 7-10 years
Interior wall paint: 5-10 years
Interior trim and door: 5-10 years
Interior wallpaper: 7 years
Plumbing
Waste pipe (concrete): 50-100 years
Waste pipe (cast iron): 75-100 years
Sinks (enamel steel): 15-20 years
Sinks (enamel cast iron): 25-30 years
Sinks (porcelain): 25-30 years
Finishes (waterproofing)
Paint, plaster, and stucco: 3-5 years
Sealer, silicone, and wax: 1-5 years
Floors
Oak or pine: Lifetime
Slate (flagstone): Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or tile: 20-30+ years
Terrazzo: Lifetime
Carpeting: 11 years
Marble: Lifetime
Footings & foundations
Poured: 200 years
Concrete block: 100 years
Cement: 50 years
Waterproofing (bituminous coating): 10 years
Termite-proofing: 5 years
Baseboard system: 20 years
Roofing
Asphalt and wood shingles/shakes: 15-30 years
Tile: 50 years
Slate: 50-100 years
Sheet metal: 20-50 years
Built-up roofing (asphalt): 25 years
Built-up roofing (coat and tar): 30 years
Asphalt composition shingle: 15-30 years
Asphalt overlay: 25-35 years
Siding
Gutters and downspouts: 30 years
Siding (wood): 10-100 years
Siding (steel): 50+ years
Siding (vinyl): 50 years
Windows
Window glazing: 20 years
Wood casement: 20-50 years
Aluminium casement: 10-20 years
Screen: 25-50 years