Life Expectancy Chart
Surface preparation and paint quality are the most important determinants of a paint’s life expectancy. Ultraviolet (UV) rays via sunshine can shorten life expectancy. Additionally, conditions of high humidity indoors or outdoors can affect the lifespan of these components, which is why they should be inspected and maintained seasonally.
ADHESIVES, CAULK & PAINTS | YEARS |
Caulking (interior & exterior) | 5 to 10 |
Construction Glue | 20+ |
Paint (exterior) | 7 to 10 |
Paint (interior) | 10 to 15 |
Roofing Adhesives/Cement | 15+ |
Sealants | 8 |
Stains | 3 to 8 |
Appliance life expectancy depends to a great extent on the use it receives. Furthermore, consumers often replace appliances long before they become worn out due to changes in styling, technology, and consumer preferences. Consider energy star-rated appliances to save on energy costs.
APPLIANCES | YEARS |
Air Conditioner (window) | 5 to 7 |
Compactor (trash) | 6 |
Dehumidifier | 8 |
Dishwasher | 9 |
Disposal (food waste) | 12 |
Dryer Vent (plastic) | 5 |
Dryer Vent (steel) | 20 |
Dryer (clothes) | 13 |
Exhaust Fans | 10 |
Freezer | 10 to 20 |
Gas Oven | 10 to 18 |
Hand Dryer | 10 to 12 |
Humidifier (portable) | 8 |
Microwave Oven | 9 |
Range/Oven Hood | 14 |
Electric Range | 13 to 15 |
Gas Range | 15 to 17 |
Refrigerator | 9 to 13 |
Swamp Cooler | 5 to 15 |
Washing Machine | 5 to 15 |
Whole-House Vacuum System | 20 |
Modern kitchens today are larger and more elaborate. Together with the family room, they now form the “great room.”
Depending on the quality and use, will depend on the life expectancy of such items.
CABINETRY & STORAGE | YEARS |
Bathroom Cabinets | 50+ |
Closet Shelves | 100+ |
Entertainment Center/Home Office | 10 |
Garage/Laundry Cabinets | 70+ |
Kitchen Cabinets | 50 |
Medicine Cabinet | 25+ |
Modular (stock manufacturing-type) | 50 |
Walls and ceilings can last the full lifespan of the home are kept up and normal wear and tear.
You must replace the drywall when damaged by water, prevent mold and mildew.
CEILINGS & WALLS | YEARS |
Acoustical Tile Ceiling | 40+ (older than 25 years may contain asbestos) |
Ceramic Tile | 70+ |
Concrete | 75+ |
Gypsum | 75 |
Wood Paneling | 20 to 50 |
Suspended Ceiling | 25+ |
Natural stone countertops, which are less expensive than they were just a few years ago, are becoming more popular, and one can expect them to last a lifetime. Cultured marble countertops have a shorter life expectancy. There are many varieties out there on the market.
Decks are exposed to a wide range of conditions in different climates, from wind and hail in some areas, to relatively consistent, dry weather in others. See the FASTENERS & STEEL section for fasteners. Proper yearly maintenance of your decks, your decks can last a lifetime. Improperly installed decks are dangerous, have your deck professionally installed!
DECKS | YEARS |
Deck Planks | 15 |
Composite | 8 to 25 |
Structural Wood | 10 to 30 |
Exterior fiberglass, steel, and wood doors will last as long as the house, while vinyl and screen doors have a shorter life expectancy. The gaskets/weather stripping of exterior doors may have to be replaced every 5 to 8 years.
DOORS | YEARS |
Closet (interior) | 100+ |
Fiberglass (exterior) | 100+ |
Fire-Rated Steel (exterior) | 100+ |
French (interior) | 30 to 50 |
Screen (exterior) | 30 |
Sliding Glass/Patio (exterior) | 20 (for roller wheel/track repair/replacement) |
Vinyl (exterior) | 20 |
Wood (exterior) | 100+ |
Wood (hollow-core interior) | 20 to 30 |
Wood (solid-core interior) | 30 to 100+ |
Remember that faulty, damaged, or overloaded electrical circuits or equipment are the leading cause of house fires, so they should be inspected regularly and repaired or updated as needed.
ELECTRICAL | YEARS |
Accessories | 10+ |
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) | 30 |
Bare Copper | 100+ |
Bulbs (compact fluorescent) | 8,000 to 10,000+ hours |
Bulbs (halogen) | 4,000 to 8,000+ hours |
Bulbs (incandescent) | 1,000 to 2,000+ hours |
Bulbs (LED) | 30,000 to 50,000+ hours |
Copper-Clad Aluminum | 100+ |
Copper-Plated | 100+ |
Fixtures | 40 |
Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) | up to 30 |
Lighting Controls | 30+ |
Residential Propane Backup Generators | 12 |
Service Panel | 60 |
Solar Panels | 20 to 30 |
Solar System Batteries | 3 to 12 |
Wind Turbine Generators | 20 |
Floor and roof trusses and laminated strand lumber are durable household components, and engineered trim may last 30 years.
They must be installed properly!
ENGINEERED LUMBER | YEARS |
Engineered Joists | 80+ |
Laminated Strand Lumber | 100+ |
Laminated Veneer Lumber | 80+ |
Trusses | 100+ |
Fastener manufacturers do not give lifespans for their products because they vary too much based on where the fasteners are installed in a home, the materials in which they’re installed, and the local climate and environment. Proper installation and use play a big part.
FASTENERS, CONNECTORS & STEEL | YEARS |
Adjustable Steel Columns | 50+ |
Fasteners (bright) | 25 to 60 |
Fasteners (copper) | 65 to 80+ |
Fasteners (galvanized) | 10+ |
Fasteners (electro-galvanized) | 15 to 45 |
Fasteners (hot-dipped galvanized) | 35 to 60 |
Fasteners (stainless) | 65 to 100+ |
Steel Beams | 200+ |
Steel Columns | 100+ |
Steel Plates | 100+ |
Flooring life is dependent on maintenance and the amount of foot traffic the floor endures.
Using quality flooring can save you money in the long run.
Have your flooring professionally installed!
FLOORING | YEARS |
All Wood Floors | 100+ |
Bamboo | 100+ |
Brick Pavers | 100+ |
Carpet | 8 to 10 |
Concrete | 50+ |
Engineered Wood | 50+ |
Exotic Wood | 100+ |
Granite | 100+ |
Laminate | 15 to 25 |
Linoleum | 25 |
Marble | 100+ |
Other Domestic Wood | 100+ |
Slate | 100 |
Terrazzo | 75+ |
Tile | 75 to 100 |
Vinyl | 25 |
Concrete and poured-block footings and foundations will last a lifetime, assuming they were properly built. Waterproofing with a bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks, it is immediately damaged. Proper installation will make all the difference.
FOUNDATIONS | YEARS |
Baseboard Waterproofing System | 50 |
Bituminous-Coating Waterproofing | 10 |
Concrete Block | 100+ |
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) | 100+ |
Post and Pier | 20 to 65 |
Post and Tensioned Slab on Grade | 100+ |
Poured-Concrete Footings and Foundation | 100+ |
Slab on Grade (concrete) | 100 |
Wood Foundation | 5 to 40+ |
Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF; treated) | 75+ |
Framing and structural systems have extended longevities; poured-concrete systems, timber frame houses, and structural insulated panels will all last a lifetime.
FRAMING | YEARS |
Log | 80 to 200 |
Poured-Concrete Systems | 100+ |
Steel | 100+ |
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) | 100+ |
Timber Frame | 100+ |
The quality and frequency of use will affect the longevity of garage doors and openers.
GARAGES | YEARS |
Garage Doors | 20 to 25 |
Garage Door Openers | 10 to 15 |
Home technology systems have diverse life expectancies and may have to be upgraded due to evolution in technology.
* Smoke Detector Batteries should be changed at least annually.
HOME TECHNOLOGY | YEARS |
Built-In Audio | 20 |
Carbon Monoxide Detectors* | 5 |
Door Bells | 45 |
Home Automation System | 5 to 50 |
Intercoms | 20 |
Security System | 5 to 20 |
Smoke/Heat Detectors* | less than 10 |
Wireless Home Networks | 5+ |
Thermostats may last 35 years but they are usually replaced before they fail due to technological improvements.
Programmable thermostats can save you money on your energy bills.
HVAC / Heating & Cooling ENERGY STAR RATED
HVAC | YEARS |
Air Conditioner (central) | 7 to 15 |
Air Exchanger | 15 |
Attic Fan | 15 to 25 |
Boiler | 40 |
Burner | 10+ |
Ceiling Fan | 5 to 10 |
Condenser | 8 to 20 |
Dampers | 20+ |
Dehumidifier | 8 |
Diffusers, Grilles and Registers | 25 |
Ducting | 60 to 100 |
Electric Radiant Heater | 40 |
Evaporator Cooler | 15 to 25 |
Furnace | 15 to 25+ |
Gas Fireplace | 15 to 25 |
Heat Exchanger | 10 to 15 |
Heat Pump | 10 to 15 |
Heat-Recovery Ventilator | 20 |
Hot-Water and Steam-Radiant Boiler | 40 |
Humidifier | 12 |
Induction and Fan-Coil Units | 10 to 15 |
Chimney Cap (concrete) | 100+ |
Chimney Cap (metal) | 10 to 20 |
Chimney Cap (mortar) | 15 |
Chimney Flue Tile | 40 to 120 |
Thermostats | 35 |
Ventilator | 7 |
As long as they are not punctured, cut, or burned and are kept dry and away from UV rays, cellulose, fiberglass, and foam insulation materials will last a lifetime. This is true regardless of whether they were installed as loose-fill, house-wrap, or batts/rolls.
INSULATION & INFILTRATION BARRIERS | YEARS |
Batts/Rolls | 100+ |
Black Paper (felt paper) | 15 to 30 |
Cellulose | 100+ |
Fiberglass | 100+ |
Foamboard | 100+ |
Housewrap | 80+ |
Liquid-Applied Membrane | 50 |
Loose-Fill | 100+ |
Rock Wool | 100+ |
Wrap Tape | 80+ |
Plastic | 100+ |
Masonry is one of the most enduring household components. Fireplaces, chimneys, and brick veneers can last the lifetime of a home.
MASONRY & CONCRETE | YEARS |
Brick | 100+ |
Insulated Concrete Forms (hybrid block) | 100+ |
Concrete Masonry Units (CMUs) | 100+ |
Man-Made Stone | 25 |
Masonry Sealant | 2 to 20 |
Stone | 100+ |
Stucco/EIFS | 50+ |
Veneer | 100+ |
Custom millwork and stair parts will last a lifetime and are typically only upgraded for aesthetic reasons. Stairs can be ornate or of simple design.
MOLDING, MILLWORK & TRIM | YEARS |
Attic Stairs (pull-down) | 50 |
Custom Millwork | 100+ |
Pre-Built Stairs | 100+ |
Stair Parts | 100+ |
Stairs | 100+ |
The lifetime of any wood product depends heavily on moisture intrusion.
Wood Species
PANELS | YEARS |
Flooring Underlayment | 25 |
Hardboard | 40 |
Particleboard | 60 |
Plywood | 100 |
Softwood | 30 |
Oriented Strand Board (OSB) | 60 |
Wall Panels | 100+ |
The quality of plumbing fixtures varies dramatically. The mineral content of water can shorten the life expectancy of water heaters and clog showerheads. Also, some finishes may require special maintenance with approved cleaning agents per the manufacturers in order to last their expected service lives.
Use quality plumbing fixtures!
Plumbing Supplies
Energy Star Rated Water Heaters
PLUMBING, FIXTURES & FAUCETS | YEARS |
ABS and PVC Waste Pipe | 50 to 80 |
Accessible/ADA Handles | 100+ |
Acrylic Kitchen Sink | 50 |
Cast-Iron Bathtub | 100 |
Cast-Iron Waste Pipe (above ground) | 60 |
Cast-Iron Waste Pipe (below ground) | 50 to 60 |
Concrete Waste Pipe | 100+ |
Copper Water Lines | 70 |
Enameled Steel Kitchen Sink | 5 to 10+ |
Faucets and Spray Hose | 15 to 20 |
Fiberglass Bathtub and Shower | 20 |
Gas Lines (black steel) | 75 |
Gas Lines (flex) | 30 |
Hose Bibs | 20 to 30 |
Instant (on-demand) Water Heater | 10 |
PEX | 40 |
Plastic Water Lines | 75 |
Saunas/Steam Room | 15 to 20 |
Sewer Grinder Pump | 10 |
Shower Enclosure/Module | 50 |
Shower Doors | 20 |
Showerheads | 100+ (if not clogged by mineral/other deposits) |
Soapstone Kitchen Sink | 100+ |
Sump Pump | 7 |
Toilet Tank Components | 5 |
Toilets, Bidets and Urinals | 100+ |
Vent Fan (ceiling) | 5 to 10 |
Vessel Sink (stone, glass, porcelain, copper) | 5 to 20+ |
Water Heater (conventional) | 6 to 12 |
Water Line (copper) | 50 |
Water Line (plastic) | 50 |
Well Pump | 15 |
Water Softener | 20 |
Whirlpool Tub | 20 to 50 |
Radon systems have but one moving part: the radon fan.
HAVE YOUR HOME TESTED!
RADON SYSTEMS | YEARS |
Air Exchanger | 15 |
Barometric Backdraft Damper/Fresh-Air Intake | 20 |
Caulking | 5 to 10 |
Labeling | 25 |
Manometer | 15 |
Piping | 50+ |
Radon Fan | 5 to 8 |
The life of a roof depends on local weather conditions, building and design, material quality, and adequate maintenance. Hot climates drastically reduce asphalt shingle life. Roofs in areas that experience severe weather, such as hail, tornadoes, and/or hurricanes may also experience a shorter-than-normal lifespan overall or may incur isolated damage that requires repair in order to ensure the service life of the surrounding roofing materials.
ROOFING | YEARS |
Aluminum Coating | 3 to 7 |
Asphalt Shingles (3-tab) | 20 |
Asphalt (architectural) | 30 |
BUR (built-up roofing) | 30 |
Clay/Concrete | 100+ |
Coal and Tar | 30 |
Copper | 70+ |
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) Rubber | 15 to 25 |
Fiber Cement | 25 |
Green (vegetation-covered) | 5 to 40 |
Metal | 40 to 80 |
Modified Bitumen | 20 |
Simulated Slate | 10 to 35 |
Slate | 60 to 150 |
TPO | 7 to 20 |
Wood | 25 to 75 + |
Outside siding materials typically last a lifetime. Some exterior components may require protection through appropriate paints or sealants, as well as regular maintenance. Also, while well-maintained and undamaged flashing can last a long time, it is their connections that tend to fail, so seasonal inspection and maintenance are strongly recommended.
SIDINGS, FLASHING & ACCESSORIES | YEARS |
Aluminum Siding | 25 to 40+ |
Aluminum Gutters, Downspouts, Soffit and Fascia | 20 to 40+ |
Asbestos Shingle | 100 |
Brick | 100+ |
Cementitious | 100+ |
Copper Downspouts | 100 |
Copper Gutters | 50+ |
Engineered Wood | 100+ |
Fiber Cement | 100+ |
Galvanized Steel Gutters/Downspouts | 20 |
Manufactured Stone | 100+ |
Stone | 100+ |
Stucco/EIFS | 50+ |
Trim | 25 |
Vinyl Siding | 60 |
Vinyl Gutters and Downspouts | 25+ |
Wood/Exterior Shutters | 20 |
Site and landscaping elements have life expectancies that vary dramatically. Landscaping and drainage can have a huge impact on your home and foundation. Lot grading should be sloped away from the home, 1” of slope per foot for 6’ feet. (Optimal)
SITE & LANDSCAPING | YEARS |
American Red Clay | 100+ |
Asphalt Driveway | 15 to 20 |
Brick and Concrete Patio | 15 to 25 |
Clay Paving | 100+ |
Concrete Walks | 40 to 50 |
Controllers | 15 |
Gravel Walks | 4 to 6 |
Mulch | 1 to 2 |
Polyvinyl Fencing | 100+ |
Sprinkler Heads | 10 to 14 |
Underground PVC Piping | 60+ |
Valves | 20 |
Wood Chips | 1 to 5 |
Wood Fencing | 20 |
Swimming pools are composed of many systems and components, all with varying life expectancies.
SWIMMING POOLS | YEARS |
Concrete Shell | 25+ |
Cover | 7 |
Diving Board | 10 |
Filter and Pump | 10 |
Interior Finish | 10 to 35 |
Vinyl Liner | 10 |
Pool Water Heater | 8 |
Waterline Tile | 15+ |
Aluminum windows are expected to last between 15 and 20 years, while wooden windows should last nearly 30 years.
WINDOWS | YEARS |
Aluminum/Aluminum-Clad | 15 to 20 |
Double-Pane | 8 to 20 |
Skylights | 10 to 20 |
Window Glazing | 10+ |
Vinyl/Fiberglass Windows | 20 to 40 |
Wood | 30+ |
Windows and Doors
Note: Life expectancy varies with usage, weather, installation, maintenance, and quality of materials. This list should be used only as a general guideline and not as a guarantee or warranty regarding the performance or life expectancy of any appliance, product, system, or component.
BLACK HILLS PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTIONS LLC
Rapid City, South Dakota
209-6766
Call us today to have your annual home maintenance inspection.
Home maintenance is the key to keeping your home in good working condition.
2021