How Long Will it Last?

How long will various building materials, appliances and components of your home last? Here are life expectancies (in years) of some products and materials in the home, according to a 1993 survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders. Information was drawn from industry trade associations.

Life Expectancy

Appliances Refridgerator 17 Range Gas 19 Electric 17 Freezer Standard 16 Compact 12 Dryer 14 Washer 13 Microwave Oven 11 Disposal 10 Dishwasher 10 Compacter 10 Plumbing Sinks Porcelain 25-30 Enamel cast iron 25-30 Enamel steel 5-10 Faucets High quality 15-20 Low quality 13-15 Cast iron bathtub 50 Fiberglass bathtub 10-15 Fiberglass shower 10-15 Toilet 50 Paints and Stains Exterior pain on wood, brick and aluminum 7-10 Interior Wall paint 5-10 Trim and door 5-10 Wallpaper 7

Roofing Slate 50-100 Tile 50 Sheet metal 20-50+ Asphalt overlay 25-35 Shingles and Shakes Asphalt 15-30 Wood 15-30 Built-up roofing Coat and Tar 12-30 Asphalt 12-25 Floors Marble Lifetime+ Terrazzo Lifetime+ Ceramic tile Lifetime+ Oak or pine Lifetime+ Slate flagstone Lifetime+ Vinyl sheet or tile 20-30 Carpeting 11 Landscaping Swimming pool 18 Wooden deck 15 Sprinkler 12 Asphalt driveway 10 Home Security Intrusion system 14 Smoke detector 12 Smoke/fire/intrusion system 10

Heating and Air Conditioning Air conditioning Central unit 15 Window unit 10 Compressor 15 Heat pump 15 Water heater Electric 14 Gas 11-13 Doors Exterior 80-100 Protected 25-30 Interior Hollow less than 30-life Solid core wood 30-life Folding 30-life Screen 25-30 Shower door 25 Garage door 20-50 Garage door opener 10 Cabinetry Kitchen cabinets 15-20 Medicine cabinet 20 Counter Tops Ceramic tile lifetime Granite 20+ Laminate