How Long Do Things Last? What's The Life Expectancy Of Home Components?

Case In Point: My Washer & Dryer

My mother-in-law and I recently had this same conversation.

I asked her how long she thought a washer & dryer should last. She thought maybe 10 years. I told her my Kenmore washer & dryer were purchased in 1992, making them 15 years old -- and still going strong!

Shock and awe were expressed by all.

Turns out, according to this NAHB study, washers and dryers typically last 10 to 13 years.

...So I guess I've gotten my money's worth!

Results From The NAHB Study: Summarized

What follows are the life expectancies of home components, based on how long items typically last, on average. That means that some last longer, and others don't last as long... based on frequency and type of use, as well as routine maintenance and upkeep.

NOTE: There is a wealth of information from the study that is not included here. To view the exact sources, special circumstances, and exceptions see the complete study here.

Appliances
Dishwashers	9 years
Dryers - electric	13 years
Dryers - gas	13 years
Exhaust Fans	10 years
Freezers	11 years
Garbage Disposals	12 years
Microwave Ovens	9 years
Range/Oven Hoods	14 years
Ranges - electric	13 years
Ranges - gas	15 years
Refrigerators - compact	9 years
Refrigerators - standard	13 years
Trash Compactors	6 years
Washing Machines	10 years

Cabinetry & Shelving
Bathroom Cabinets	Lifetime
Closet Shelving	Lifetime
Entertainment Centers	10 years
Garage Cabinets	100 years
Home Office Desk Units	10 years
Kitchen Cabinets	50 years
Laundry Cabinets	100 years
Medicine Cabinets	20 years

Countertops
Cultured Marble Countertops	20 years
Natural Stone Countertops	Lifetime
Tile Countertops	Lifetime
Wood Countertops	Lifetime

Decks
Wooden Deck Planks	25 years
Wooden Decks	20 years

Doors - Exterior
Fiberglass Doors	Lifetime
Screen Doors - pine	20 years
Screen Doors - cedar	40 years
Screen Doors - mahogany	60 years
Steel Doors	Lifetime
Vinyl Doors	20 years
Wood Doors	Lifetime

Doors - Interior
Closet Doors	Lifetime
French Doors	30-50 years

Electrical & Lighting
Copper Plated Wiring	Lifetime
Copper Clad Aluminum	Lifetime
Bare Copper Wiring	Lifetime
Electrical Lighting Accessories	10 years
Electrical Lighting Controls	10 years

Engineered Lumber
Engineered Trim	30 years
Floor	Lifetime
Laminated Strand Lumber	Lifetime
Laminated Veneer Lumber	30 years
Roof Trusses	Lifetime

Faucets and Fixtures
Accessible/ADA Products	Lifetime
Faucets, Bar/Hospitality	15 years
Faucets, Kitchen Sinks	15 years
Faucets, Lavatory	20 years
Faucets, Toilets/Bidets	10 years
Faucets, Tub/Shower	20 years
Saunas/Steam Rooms	15-20 years
Shower Doors	20 years
Shower Enclosures/Modules	50 years
Showerheads	Lifetime
Sinks - modified acrylic	50 years
Sinks - enamel steel	5-10 years
Sinks - soapstone	100 years
Toilets & Bidets	Lifetime
Whirlpool Tubs	20-50 years

Flooring
Bamboo Flooring	Lifetime
Brick Pavers	100 years
Carpet Flooring	8-10 years
Concrete Flooring	50 years
Granite Flooring	100 years
Laminate Flooring	15-25 years
Linoleum Flooring	25 years
Marble Flooring	100 years
Slate Flooring	100 years
Terrazo Flooring	75 years
Tile Flooring	75-100 years
Vinyl Flooring	50 years
Wood Flooring - all natural	100 years
Wood Flooring - engineered	50 years
Wood Flooring - exotic	Lifetime
Wood Flooring - other domestic	Lifetime

Footings & Foundations
Baseboard System	50 years
Concrete Block	Lifetime
Poured Concrete	Lifetime
Termite Proofing	12 years
Waterproofing with Bituminous Coating	10 years

Framing & Structural Systems
Floor Trusses	Lifetime
Poured Concrete Systems	Lifetime
Roof Trusses	Lifetime
Structural Insulated Panels	Lifetime
Timber Frame	Lifetime

Garages
Garage Door Openers	10-15 years
Garage Light Inserts	20 years

Gutters & Downspouts
Downspouts - aluminum	30 years
Downspouts - copper	100 years
Gutters - aluminum	20 years
Gutters - copper	50 years
Gutters - galvanized steel	20 years

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Air Conditioners - room	10 years
Air Conditioners - unitary	15 years
Air Quality Systems	15 years
Boilers - electric	13 years
Boilers - gas	21 years
Burners	10 years
Dampers	20 years
Dehumidifiers	8 years
Diffusers, Grilles & Registers	25 years
Ducting	10 years
DX - water or steam	20 years
DX - electric	15 years
Furnaces - warm-air, electric	15 years
Furnaces - warm-air, gas	18 years
Furnaces - warm-air, oil	20 years
Heat Pumps	16 years
Heat Recovery Ventilators	20 years
Humidifiers	8 years
Induction & Fan-Coil Units	10-15 years
Radiant Heater - electric	40 years
Radiant Heater - hot water or steam	15 years
Shell-and-Tube	20 years
Thermostats	35 years
Ventilators	7 years
Water Heaters - electric	11 years
Water Heaters - gas	10 years
Water Heaters - tankless	20 years

Home Technology
Built-in Audio Systems	20 years
Heat/smoke Detectors	5-10 years
Security Systems	5-10 years
Wireless Home Automation Systems	50 years
Wireless Home Networks	50 years

Insulation & Infiltration Barriers
Batts/Rolls of Insulation	Lifetime
Cellulose	Lifetime
Fiberglass	Lifetime
Foam	Lifetime
House Wrap Insulation	Lifetime
Loose Fill Insulation	Lifetime

Jobsite Equipment
Ladders	Lifetime
Lifts	8-10 years

Masonry
Brick Veneers	Lifetime
Brick Walls	100 years
Chimneys	Lifetime
Fireplaces	Lifetime

Molding & Millwork
Custom Millwork	Lifetime
Stair Parts	Lifetime
Stairs - attic	Lifetime
Stairs - circular	Lifetime
Stairs - prebuilt	Lifetime
Stairs - spiral	Lifetime

Paint, Caulks & Adhesives
Exterior paints	15 years
Interior paints	15 years

Panels
Hardboard Panels	30 years
Softwood Panels	30 years
Oriented Strand Board (OSB)	60 years
Particleboard	60 years
Plywood	25-30 years
Underlayment - flooring	25 years
Wall Panels	Lifetime

Plumbing
Cast iron Pipes	100 years
Concrete Pipes	100 years

Roofing
Asphalt Shingles	20 years
Aluminium Roof Coating	3-7 years
Clay/Concrete	Lifetime
Coal and Tar	30 years
Copper Roofs	Lifetime
Fiber Cement Shingles	25 years
Modified Bitumen	20 years
Simulated Slate Roofs	50 years
Slate Roofs	50 years
Wood Shakes	30 years

Shutters
Aluminium Shutters - interior	10 years
Wood Shutters - exterior	20 years
Wood Shutters - interior	15 years

Siding & Accessories
Brick Siding	Lifetime
Engineered Wood Siding	Lifetime
Fiber Cement Siding	Lifetime
Stone Siding - natural	Lifetime
Stone Siding - manufactured	Lifetime
Stucco Siding	50-100 years
Vinyl Siding	Lifetime

Site & Landscaping
Asphalt driveways	15-20 years
Clay Paving	Lifetime
Controllers	15 years
Polyvinyl fences	Lifetime
Sprinklers	20 years
Underground PVC piping	25 years
Valves	20 years

Swimming Pools
Cleaning Equipment	7-10 years
Concrete Shell	25 years
Decking	15 years
Interior Finish - pebble-tec	25-35 years
Interior Finish - plaster	10-15 years
Interior Finish - tile	15-25 years
Waterline Tile	10 years

Walls, Ceilings & Finishes
Accoustical Ceiling	Lifetime
Ceiling Suspension	Lifetime
Ceramic Tile	Lifetime
Standard Gypsum	Lifetime

Windows & Skylights
Aluminum/Aluminum Clad	15-20 years
Window Glazing	10 years
Wood Windows	30 years

For complete details including all sources, special circumstances, and exceptions see the complete NAHB study here (dated February 2007).

Some Surprising Findings, In My Opinion

Of all the items listed here, only a few took me by surprise.

Specifically:

• Smoke Detectors only last 5-10 years


• Ditto for Home Security Systems


• Copper Gutters last 50 years vs Aluminum Gutters 20 years


• Copper Downspouts 100 years vs Aluminum Downspouts 30 years

...I guess that's why you're starting to see to many more copper roofing materials used these days!

And I couldn't help but wonder... what's the life expectancy of steel metal or aluminum roofs? You see more and more people choosing this form of roofing for their new home, especially log home owners. Did I just miss it in the report?

All in all, I am so thankful to the National Association of Home Builders for doing this study, as the information is worth its weight in gold for homebuilders and remodelers!