Lifespan of Home Features & Materials
You can count on a well-constructed house to last a lifetime but some of the components that make up a house tend to have shorter lifespans. These components will need repair or replacement in order to endure the test of time.
While the below averages can give you an idea of how long your home and its features will last, they do not account for things like weather, overuse, abuse or neglect - all of which can speed up deterioration.
Here's what the average lifespan of a home's features looks like:
HVAC System
Central Air Conditioning 7-15 years
Furnace and gas fireplaces 15-25 years
Boiler and electric radiant heater 40 years
Ducting 60-100 years
Chimney cap (concrete) 100+ years
Plumbing System
Kitchen Sink (enameled steel) 5-10+ years
Water Heater (conventional) 6-12 years
Bathtub/shower (fiberglass) 20 years
Kitchen Sink (acrylic) 50 years
Waste pipes (ABS or PVC) 50-80 years
Bathtub (cast iron) and toilet 100 years
Waste pipes (concrete) 100+years.
Appliances and Fixtures
Air conditioning (window) 5-7 years
Washing machine 5-15 years
Trash compactor 6 years
Dishwasher and microwave 9 years
Refrigerator 9-13 years
Dryer 13 years
Freezer 10-20 years
Whole-house vacuum system 20 years
Exterior Features
Roof 20-40 years $24,700 (asphalt) - $40,318 (metal) to replace
Vinyl siding 60 years $14,359 to replace
Windows 20-40 years $17,641 (vinyl) - $21,495 (wood) to replace
Many of the materials used to build a home will likely outlast the current owner. The most resilient, according to findings from the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), include:
Natural stone, tile or wood countertops
All-wood floors
Masonry (example brick fireplace or pavers)
Copper-plated wiring
Fiberglass, steel or wood exterior doors