COMPONENT LIFE EXPECTANCIES

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Component Life Expectancies

Typical life expectancies for most components found in homes are listed below. These life expectancies have been determined through research and testing based on regular recommended maintenance and conditions of normal wear and tear, and not extreme weather (or other) conditions, neglect, over-use or abuse.  Therefore, they should be used as guidelines only, and not relied upon as guarantees or warranties. 

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

Caulking (interior & exterior) 5 to 10

Construction Glue 20+

Paint (exterior) 7 to 10

Paint (interior) 10 to 15

Roofing Adhesives/Cements 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.

APPLIANCES     

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.”

CABINETRY & STORAGE  

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 last the full lifespan of the home.

CEILINGS & WALLS
 

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, however.

COUNTERTOPS

Concrete 50

Cultured Marble 20

Natural Stone 100+

Laminate 20 to 30

Resin 10+

Tile 100+

Wood 100+

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 FASTENERS & STEEL section for fasteners.

DECKS

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/weatherstripping of exterior doors may have to be replaced every 5 to 8 years.

DOORS

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+

Copper-plated wiring, copper-clad aluminum, and bare copper wiring are expected to last a lifetime, whereas electrical accessories and lighting controls, such as dimmer switches, may need to be replaced after 10 years.  GFCIs could last 30 years, but much less if tripped regularly.

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

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.

ENGINEERED LUMBER

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.  However, inspectors can use the guidelines below to make educated judgments about the materials they inspect.

FASTENERS, CONNECTORS & STEEL

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.

FLOORING

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

Viny l25

Concrete and poured-block footings and foundations will last a lifetime, assuming they were properly built.  Waterproofing with bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks, it is immediately damaged.

FOUNDATIONS

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

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

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.

HOME TECHNOLOGY

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+

* Batteries should be changed at least annually.

Thermostats may last 35 years but they are usually replaced before they fail due to technological improvements.

HVAC

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

Ventilator7

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

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+

Masonry is one of the most enduring household components. Fireplaces, chimneys and brick veneers can last the lifetime of a home.

MASONRY & CONCRETE 

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.

MOLDING, MILLWORK & TRIM

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.

PANELS

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 shower heads.  Also, some finishes may require special maintenance with approved cleaning agents per the manufacturers in order to last their expected service lives.

PLUMBING, FIXTURES & FAUCETS

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.

RADON SYSTEMS
 

Air Exchanger15

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

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

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

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.

SITE & LANDSCAPING

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

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Aluminum windows are expected to last between 15 and 20 years, while wooden windows should last nearly 30 years.

WINDOWS

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+

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.

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Providing Home Inspections and Radon Testing in the Lander, WY and Riverton, WY and surrounding areas, including Dubois, WY, Jackson, WY, Shoshoni, WY, Thermopolis, WY, 

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