Component Life Expectancy in years

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. 

• 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. 

• 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.” 

• Bathroom Cabinets  50+ 
• Closet Shelves 100+
• Entertainment Center/Home Office10
• Garage/Laundry Cabinets70+
• Kitchen Cabinets50
• Medicine Cabinet25+
• Modular (stock manufacturing-type) 50 

Walls and ceilings last the full lifespan of the home. 

• Acoustical Tile Ceiling40+ (older than 25 years may contain asbestos)
• Ceramic Tile   70+
• Concrete75+
• Gypsum75
• 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. 

• 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.

• 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 five to eight 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+ 

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.

• 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 Joists80+
• Laminated Strand Lumber100+
• Laminated Veneer Lumber80+
• Trusses100+ 

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.

• 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.

• 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 bituminous coating lasts 10 years, but if it cracks, it is immediately damaged.

• Baseboard Waterproofing System 50
• Bituminous-Coating Waterproofing 10
• Concrete Block 100+
• Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) 100
• Permanent Wood Foundation (PWF; treated) 75
• 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 

Framing and structural systems have extended longevities; poured-concrete systems, timber-frame houses, and structural insulated panels will all last a lifetime. 

• 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.

• 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. 

• Built-In Audio 20
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors* 5
• Doorbells 45
• Home Automation System 5 to 50
• Intercoms 20
• Security System 5 to 20
• Smoke/Heat Detectors* less than 10 
• Wireless Home Network 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. 

• Air Conditioner (central) 7 to 15
• Air Exchanger 15
• Attic Fan 15 to 25
• Boiler 40
• Burner 10+
• Ceiling Fan 5 to 10
• Chimney Cap (concrete) 100+
• Chimney Cap (metal) 10 to 20
• Chimney Cap (mortar) 15
• Chimney Flue Tile 40 to 120
• Condenser 8 to 20
• Dampers 20+
• Dehumidifier 8
• Diffusers, Grilles and Registers 25
• Ducting 60 to 100
• Electric Radiant Heater 40
• Evaporative 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
• 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, housewrap, or batts/rolls.

• 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+
• Rockwool 100+
• Wrap Tape 80+ 

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 life.

• 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 minerals or 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
• Water Softener 20
• Well Pump 15
• Whirlpool Tub 20 to 50 

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.

• Aluminum Coating 3 to 7
• Asphalt (architectural) 30
• Asphalt Shingles (3-tab) 20
• 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 

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

• Aluminum/Aluminum-Clad 15 to 20
• Double-Pane 8 to 20
• Skylights 10 to 20
• Vinyl/Fiberglass Windows 20 to 40
• Window Glazing 10+
• 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.