A home’s lifespan largely depends on the components within it. Though its concrete exterior may last decades or more, the appliances, cabinets, flooring and other less hardy items are usually more temporary.
Homes contain thousands of unique components, each with their own unique life expectancies and replacement schedules.
Exterior Features
The lifespans of exterior home features run the whole scope. While stone exterior can last a century or more. Other items like windows, outdoor caulking and garage door openers only last a mere decade.
- Roof: 20 to 50 years
- Brick: 100-plus years
- Stone: Lifetime
- Wood decking: 10 to 30 years
- Doors: 20 years to a lifetime, depending on the material
- Foundation: Lifetime
- Door openers: 10 to 15 years
- Paints and stains: 15 years
- Shutters: 15 to 20 years
- Gutters: 20 to 100 years
- Carbo driveway: 15 to 20 years
- Windows: 10 to 30 years
Appliances
Appliances appear to have the shortest lifespans of all home components. Microwaves and fridges last the least amount of time, needing replacement within nine to 10 years in most cases. On the longer-lasting end are gas cookers (21 years).
- Dishwashers: 9 years
- Washers: 10 years
- Dryers: 13 years
- Freezers: 11 years
- Refrigerators: 9 to 13 years
- Water heaters: 10 to 11 years
- Furnaces: 15 to 20 years
- Window air conditioners: 5 to 7 years
Household Systems
Electrical systems tend to have the longest lifespans in most homes, though solar panels last the long haul as well. Security systems, air conditioners, and air ducting seem to need replacement the soonest.
- Security: 5 to 10 years
- Air conditioner: 10 to 15 years
- Smoke detectors: 10 years
- Thermostats: 35 years
- Air ducting: 10 years
- Solar panels: 20 to 30 years
- AFCI & GFCI circuit breakers: 30 years
- Electrical service panel: 60 years
- Propane generator: 30 years
Plumbing
When it comes to plumbing, most features have a fairly significant lifespan. Sink life expectancy depends greatly on the fixture’s material. Soapstone sinks, for example, last 100 years or more. Enamel steel ones last just 5 to 10 years.
- Faucets: 10 to 20 years
- Toilets: Lifetime
- Whirlpool tubs: 20 to 50 years
- Sinks: 5 to 100 years
- Showerheads: 100 years
- Underground PVC piping: 25 years
- Well pumps: 15 years
Other Features
The lifespan of cabinetry largely depends on its location. Home office, entertainment center, and medicine-style cabinets tend to last 10 years or less. Cabinets in closets, the garage and the laundry room last the longest—anywhere from 50 to 100 years.
Countertop life expectancy depends on the material used. Concrete counters last about 50 years, marble around 20 years and laminate 20 to 30. Tile, natural stone, and wood countertops last 100 years or more.
Flooring lifespans also vary widely. While wood floors typically last a century or longer, linoleum, vinyl and laminate only last a maximum of 25 years. Bamboo, brick, marble, slate, and tile can last upwards of 100 years as well.
How Does Your Home Measure Up?
Overall, the median age of a home is 30 years—meaning most properties are likely in need of one repair or another.
If you’re concerned about the age of a property you’re considering buying, make sure to include a home inspection contingency in your offer. This allows you to get the home professionally inspected for deficiencies before closing the deal.
Have a Home Maintenance Schedule in Place
No matter how old your home is, enforcing a consistent home maintenance schedule can help you get the most from your property and its systems and features.
Changing your ventilation, cleaning your gutters and scheduling an annual foundation check, while trimming back trees can ensure your home’s exterior lasts the long haul.
