One of the most common questions our clients ask us is "how long will it last".   You can apply that statement to any and every element of a home.   Most home elements have an anticipated life expectancy.   Whether that is a number of years, the typical length of ownership, or the anticipated life of the house, the elements in a home all have an anticipated life expectancy. However, there is one thing that is certain for ALL elements in the home. That is whether any particular element reaches its anticipated life expectancy is due in large part to proper care and maintenance by the homeowner.

With that in mind, we have put together an overview of life expectancies of several key elements of residential construction and some guidlines for home elements and appliances. There is also a chart included on this page that was complied by Bank of America and the National Builder's Association. This chart encapsulates information gained from multiple manufacturers regarding the life expectancies of various components and appliances. If you have a question about a component in your home, as always, feel free to contact us or post a message at the boards. We'll be happy to attempt to answer your question.

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MASONRY - Masonry is one of the most durable home components. Brick veneers most often last a lifetime, with the average life of a brick wall more than 100 years.

SIDING - Vinyl siding, engineered wood, stone (both natural and manmade) and fiber cement is also expected to last as long as the house exists. Exterior wood siding and panels can last 30 or more years, depending on the type of wood and its maintenance. Maintenance is the determining factor in the life of exterior wood house members. Poorly installed and/or maintained wood siding, trims, panels, etc can deteriorate in just a few years. Caulking and sealing are important factors in exterior maintenance.

CAULKING-Flexible all-weather caulking can last 5 years or longer, when applied properly on clean, dry surfaces.

ROOF - The life of a roof depends on climate zones and weather conditions. Asphalt shingle roof and fiber cement shingle roofs have a life expectancy of 20-25 years. Wood shake have a life expectancy of approximately 20-25 years. Grey slate can last 75-100 years, while rainbow slate (a slightly lower quality) has a life expectancy of 50-75 years.

SHUTTERS-Wood shutters have a life of approximately 20 years. Vinyl shutters will last the life of the house, similar to vinyl siding. One thing to remember is that vinyl will fade from sunlight and weather conditions. So while the material is still sound, the color pigment will deteriorate over the years.

GUTTERS-Gutters and downspouts, made of aluminum, last about 20 years. Copper gutters and downspouts have a life expectancy of 50 to 100 years.

DECKS-Because of the wide range of installation methods, construction methods, climates and uses, decks have a significant span in life expectancy. A wolmanized wood deck, when properly installed and properly maintained has a life expectancy of approximately 20 years. This number does vary greatly.

DOORS-SKYLIGHTS-WINDOWS-Exterior composition and steel doors should last as long as the house. Vinyl doors will last approximately 20 years. Aluminum windows and skylights last 15 to 20 years. The life of wooden doors and windows will depend on proper maintenance. Wood doors can last 40 years or more, while wood framed windows can last approximately 30 years. As with all wood members exposed to the elements, proper maintenance is key to its longevity.

FOUNDATION-FOOTINGS-PIERS-Poured concrete and concrete block footings and foundation last the life of the house, providing they are property built. Variations of concrete block such as tile block, architectural block, cinder block, etc, have an equally durable life span.

FRAMING-STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS-Framing and structural systems have extended longevities; poured-concrete systems, timber framed houses and structural insulated panels will all last a lifetime. Additionally, roof and floor trusses should also last a lifetime. These are, of course, contingent on home owners performing necessary maintenance, repairs and replacements of worn or damaged members. A 25 year roof that is allowed to leak for a few years, will cause significant damage to roof trusses and sheathing, necessitating the replacement of these items.

HVAC SYSTEMS-Both gas and electric furnaces last an average of 15-20 year. Heat pumps will last an average of 15-17 years. An air conditioning system can last from 12-15 years. Tankless water heaters last 20 years or more. Electric and gas water heaters have a life expectancy of about 10 years.

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Table 1: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Appliance	Life In Years	Last Serviced/Checked
Exhaust Fan	30
Compactors	6
Dishwashers	<9
Disposers, Food Waster	<12
Electric Dryer	13
Gas Dryer	13
Freezer	11
Microwave Ovens	9
Range, Electric	13
Range, Gas	15
Range/Oven Hoods	14
Refrigerators, Compact	9
Refrigerators, Standard	13
Washers	10
Water Heater, Electric	11
Water Heater, Gas	10
Air-Conditioners, Room	10
Air-Conditioners, Unitary	15
Boilers, Electric	13
Boilers, Gas	21
Dehumidifiers	8
Furnaces, Warm-Air Electric	15
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Gas	18
Furnaces, Warm-Air, Oil	20
Heat Pumps	16
Humidifiers	8
Note: Life expectancy is based on first-owner use. Source: Appliance Magazine, Grainter

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Table 2: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Cabinetry & Storage	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Bath Cabinets	Life of Ownership	Cabinet Lines
Entertainment Center/Office	10
Garage/Laundry Cabinets	100
Kitchen Cabinets	50
Medicine	20+
Modular/Stock	50	Manufacturing Types
Closet Shelves	Life of Ownership	Closet Systems
Source: Wellborn Cabinet, Zaca, Timberlake Cabinet Co., Wellborn Cabinet, Moduline, Canyon Creek Cabinet Co., Easyclosets.com, Wellborn Cabinet

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Table 3: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Concrete & Masonry	Life In Years	Last Checked/Serviced
Brick	100+
Veneer	Life of House
Caulking (for sealer) Depending on Application	2-20
Source: General Shale Brick, NHACP and NCSG, Sascho Sealants

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Table 4: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Countertops	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Cultured Marble	20
Natural Stone	Lifetime
Tile	Lifetime
Wood	Ownership
Formica	10-15
Source: Rynone, Buffalo Stone, Architectural Products by Outwater, Formica Corp, Gibco Services, Florida Tile Industries, United States Ceramic Tile Co., National Hardwood Flooring & Mounding

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Table 5: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Decks	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Wood	20	Dry areas last 20-25 years South 10-15 years North 20-30 years
Deck Planks	25
Source: Decks.com, Timbertech

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Table 6: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Doors	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Exterior Fiberglass	Lifetime
Exteriro Steel, Fire Rated	Lifetime
Exterior Vinyl	<20
Exterior Wood	Lifetime
Exterior Screen	Various	Pine-Up to 20 years Cedar-Up to 40 years Mahogany-Up to 60 years
Closet	Lifetime
Interior French	30-50
Source: Fiberframe, Neoporte, Timeline Vinyl Products/ Timeline Vinyl Windows, Victoriana East, Cappa Woodworking Inc., Marvin Windows and Doors, Kestrel

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Table 7: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Electrical & Lighting	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Accessories/Fixtures	10+
Lighting Controls	10+
Copper Wiring         Copper Plated         Copper Clad Aluminum         Bare Copper	Lifetime, in non-corrosive enviro Lifetime Lifetime
Source: Lutron Electronics, Lighting Controls Asociation, Copper Development Assoc.

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Table 8: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Engineered Lumber	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Engineered Trim	30
Laminated Strand Lumber	Lifetime
Laminated Veneer Lumber	30+
Trusses, Floor	Lifetime
Trusses, Roof	Lifetime
Source: Engineered Wood Association, Georgia Pacific Corp, Georgia Pacific Corp., Lumber Specialties

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Table 9: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Faucets & Fixtures	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Accessible/ADA Products	Lifetime
Faucets, Bar/Hospitality	<15
Faucets, Kitchen Sinks	15
Faucets, Lavatory	20+
Faucets, Tub/Shower	20+
Faucets, Toilets/Bidets	<10	Wear issues depending on use, new cartridges or seals
Saunas/Steam Room	15-20
Shower Doors	20+
Shower Enclosures/Modules	50
Showerheads	Lifetime
Toilets/Bidets	Lifetime	The components inside toilet tank and valves that operate bidet will require occassional mainteance.
Whirlpool Tub	20-50	Lifespan of the rotating engine (pump) depends on the use made of the tub.
Sinks; Kitchen & Others     Enamel Steel     Modfied Acrylic     Soapstone	5-10 50 100+
Source: Delta Faucet Co., Kohler Co., Moen, Plexicor (part of Karran), Toto USA, Acquinox, Alumax, Alsons, Karran, Green Mountain Soapstone Corp., Saunastore

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Table 10: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Flooring	Life In Years	Last Service/Check
All Wooden Floors	Lifetime
Bamboo	Lifetime
Brick Pavers	100+
Carpet	8-10
Concrete	50+
Engineered Wood	50+
Exotic Wood	Lifetime
Granite	100+
Laminate	15-25
Linoleum	25
Marble	100+
Slate	100
Tile	75-100
Vinyl	50
Other Domestic Wood	Lifetime
Terrazo	75+
Source: Marble Institute of America, Berg & Berg, Dal Tile Corp, Floortec, National Wood Flooring Association, General Shale Brick, Masland Carpets, Beaulieu of America, Concrete Designs, Formica Corp, Linoleumstore.com, DePaoli Mosaic, Monarch Ceramic Tile

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Table 11: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Footings & Foundations	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Poured Footings & Foundations	Lifetime
Concrete Block	Lifetime
Termite Proofing	<12	Pre-treatment during construction: longevity of treatment depends on disturbance or not of the chemical barriers in place.
Bituminous Coating Waterproofing	10	If it cracks, it is immediately damaged.
Pargeting with Ionite	20-30	It's not typical in a residential setting. Its downfall is when it cracks.
Baseboard System	50
Plumbing     Concrete Waste Pipe     Cast Iron Waste Pipe	100 100
Source: Dry Up Basement, Unexco, Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, American Concrete Pipe Associaition, National Ready Mixed Concrete Assoc., Quikcrete.

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Table 12: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Framings & Other Structural Systems	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Poured Concrete Systems	Lifetime
Structural Insulated Panels	Lifetime
Timber Frame Homes	Lifetime
Source: Conform Pacific. NGS MAterials, Post & Beam Factory.

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Table 13: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Garages	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Garage Door Openers	10-15
LIght Inserts	20
Source: Wayne Dalton Corp.

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Table 14: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Home Technology	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Audio, Built In	20
Heat/ Smoke Detectors	10	National Fire Alarm Code requires that detectors be replaced every 10 years.
Home Automation Systems	Lifetime
Home Networks, Wireless	50+
Source: Lite Touch Home Director, ADT and Slomin's Home Security, Home Diresctor, Home Seer.

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Table 15: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
HVAC	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Air Conditioners	10-15
Air Quality System	15
Boilers	13-21
Dehumidifiers	8
Ducting	10
Furnaces	15-20
Heat Pumps	16
Heat Recovery Ventilators	20+
Thermostats	35
Ventilators	7
Water Heaters, Tankless	20+
Electric Radiant Heater	40
Hot Water or Steam Radiant Heater	15+
Diffusers, Grilles and Registers	25
Induction and Fan coil Units	10-15
Dampers	20+
DX, Water, or Steam	20
Electric	15
Shell and Tube	20
Molded Insulation	Lifetime	Not usually residential
Burners	<10	Oil Burners need more maintenaince and don't last as long as gas burners.
Source: Center Point Energy and Trane Residential systmen Group, Smarter Way Inc., Center Point Energy, Air Quality Engineering, Center Point Energy and Luxaire Unitary Products Group, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Econar, Lomanco, Honeywell, American Society Of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditoning Engineers, RWC Contrals, Dantech. No. American Manufacturers Assoc., US Dept of Energy, Radiant Electric Heat, Radiantec, Power Flame Inc., Appliance Magazine

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Table 16: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Insulation & Infiltration Barriers	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Insulation Material     Cellulose     Fiberglass     Foam	100+ Lifetime Lifetime
Insulation Types     Batts/ Rolls     House Wrap     Loose Fill	Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime
Source: DuPont, National Fiber, Johns Manville, RHH Foam Systems, No. American Insulation Manufacturer Association.

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Table 17: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Jobsite Equipment	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Ladders	Lifetime
Lifts	Lifetime
Source: Putnam Rolling Ladder Co., Genie Industries.

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Table 18: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Molding & Millwork	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Custom Millwork	Lifetime
Stair Parts	Lifetime
Stairs, Circular & Spiral	Lifetime
Stairs, Prebuilt	Lifetime
Stairs, Attic	Lifetime
Source: York SpiralAzek, Authentic Pine Floors, Century Architectural Specxialties, Stair World, National Hardwood Flooring & Moulding.

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Table 19: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Paints, Caulks, & Adhesives	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Adhesives     Roofing	7
Paints & Stains     Paint, Exterior     Paint, Interior	15+ 15+	Depends on washablity.
Source: The Sherwin-Williams Co., Slate Savers,Tamko Roofing Products, Dutch Boy Paints.

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Table 20: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Panels	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Hardboard	30
Oriented-Strand Board	60
Particle Board	60
Plywood	25-30
Softwood	30
Underlayment, Flooring	25
Wall Panels	Lifetime
Source: Georgia Pacific Corp., NGS Materials, Weyerhaeuser, James Hardie Building Products.

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Table 21: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Roofing	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Materials     Aluminum Roof Coating     Fiber Cement     Asphalt     Modidied Bitumen     Copper     Simulated Slate     Wood     Clay/ Concrete     Slate     Coal and Tar	3-7 25 20 20 Lifetime 50 30 Lifetime 50+ 30
Source: Gardner-Gibson, Maxitile, National Roofing Contractors Association, GAF Material Corp, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer's Association, Johns Manville, Metal Roof Specialties, Nycore, Authentic roof, 208 Shake & Shingle, The Northern Roof Tile Sales Co., Universal Marble & Granite, Slate Savers, Koppers, Northern Elastomeric, Ecostar, Metals USA, GAF Materials Corp.

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Table 22: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Siding & Accessories	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Materials     Brick     Engineerd Wood     Fiber Cement     Manudactured Stone     Stone     Stucco     Vinyl EIFS	Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime Lifetime 50-100 Lifetime Several Recalls/Verify
Related Accessories     Soffits/ Fascia     Trim	50 25	This time period applies for fascia in fiber-cement only.
Shutters/Blinds     Wood/ Exterior     Wood/ Interior     Aluminum/ Interior	20 15+ 10+	Sun can cause the cords to break.
Gutters and Downspouts     Copper     Aluminum     Galvanized Steel     Downspouts (Aluminum)     Downspout (Copper)	50+ 20 20 30 100
Source: Boral Bricks, APA, GAF Material Corp., James Hardie Building Products, Boulder Creek Stone and Brick, Owens Corning, Gemstone Enterprises, El Rey Stucco, Heartland Building Products, Azek, James HArdie Building Products Blinds.com, Vixon Hill Mfg &anp: Supply, Berger Building Products, Guttersupply.com ( Rain Trade Corp. division.)

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Table 23: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Site & Landscaping	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Asphalt Driveway	15-20
Polyvinyl Fences	Lifetime
Clay Paving	Lifetime
Underground PVC Piping	25
Valves	20
Sprinklers	20	Usually made obselete by advances in technology
Controllers	15	Lifespan given for areas not prone to lighting strikes
Tennis Court     Fast Dry Green	Lifetime
Asphalt with Acrylic Coating	12-15	Age before requiring major work. Requires recoating every 5-7 years.
Asphalt with Acrylic Cushion Coating	12-15	Age before requiring major work. Requires recoating every 5-7 years
American Red Clay	Lifetime
Fast Dry with Subsurface Irrigation Red or Green	Lifetime	Maintenance: average 10 minutes per day per court
Swimming Pool     General     Concrete Shell     Interior Finish/ Plaster     Interior Finish/ Pebbel-tee     Interior Finish/ tile     Cleaning Equipment     Decking     Waterline Tile	Lifetime 25+ 10-15 25-35 15-25 7-10 15 10
Source: Paddocck Pools, Patio &: Spas, Boral Bricks, Accuratw Tennis, Aquatic Technology, Huyser, Digger Specialties, Inc., Aquatech Pools - Society of Professional Builders, Inyo Pools Products, Omega Pool Structure, Inc.)

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Table 24: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Walls, Ceilings, & Finishes.	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Accoustical Ceiling	Lifetime	Moisture or mopvement can affect lifespan
Ceiling Suspension	Lifetime
Ceramic Tile	Lifetime
Standard Gypsum	Lifetime
Source: Interceramicsusa, United States Gypsum Co., Messmers Inc., DAP.)

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Table 25: Life Expectancy of Different Products/Items/Materials in the Home
Windows, Skylighs, & Glass	Life In Years	Last Service/Checked
Glazing & Glazing Materials     Window Glazing	10+
Windows     Aluminum/ Aluminum Clad     Wood	15-20 30+	Some parts of the window may have to be replaced, so lifespan may vary
Source: Polygal, Gallina USA, LLC, Allied Window.)

Note: This report should be used as a general guideline only. None of the information in this report should be interpeted as a representation, warranty, or quarantee regarding them life expectancy or performance of any individual product or product line. Readers should not make buying decisions and/ or product selection based solely on the information contained in this report