A well-built home can last for hundreds of years, but many of its parts
must be replaced or renovated regularly. Here's a sampling of life
expectancies for different products and materials used in the home, as
listed in a report titled "1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends"
published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) based in
Washington, D.C.
To begin your search for the right home plans, visit
HomeStyles. For more information on kitchen and bath products, visit
Kitchen-bath.com.
|
APPLIANCES
Compactor
Dishwasher
Garbage Disposer
Dryer
Freezer (compact)
Freezer (standard)
Microwave oven
Range (freestanding and built-in, electric)
Range (freestanding and built in, gas)
Range (high oven, gas)
Refrigerator (compact)
Refrigerator (standard)
Washer (automatic and compact)
Exhaust fan
BATHROOMS
Cast iron bathtub
Fiberglass bathtub and shower
Shower door (average quality)
Toilet
CABINETS
Kitchen cabinets
Medicine cabinet/bath vanity
|
LIFE SPAN
(in years)
10
10
10
10
12
16
11
17
19
14
14
17
13
20
50
10-15
25
50
15-20
20*
|
|
(* The interior paint finish usually wears, leading to moisture damage and rust.)
|
|
COUNTERTOPS
Laminate
Ceramic tile (high-grade installation)
Wood/butcher block
Granite
DOORS
Screen
Interior (not perfect hollow core)
Interior (solid corewood)
Exterior (protected overhang)
Exterior (unprotected and exposed)
Folding
Garage door
Garage door opener
FINISHES (Used for waterproofing)
Paint, plaster and stucco
Sealer, silicone, and waxes
FLOORS
Oak or pine
Slate flagstone
Vinyl sheet or tile
Terrazzo
Carpeting
Marble
|
10-15
Lifetime
20+
20+
25-50
< 30-life
30-life
80-100
25-30
30-life
20-50
10
3-5
1-5
Lifetime
Lifetime
minimum 20-30
Lifetime
11*
Lifetime**
|
|
(* Depends on installation, traffic and quality of carpet.)
(** Depends on installation, thickness of marble and traffic.)
|
|
FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS
Poured footing and foundation
Concrete block
Cement
Waterproofing (bituminous coating)
Termite proofing
Baseboard system
|
200
100
50
10*
5**
20
|
|
(* Cracking results in immediate damage.)
(** May have shorter life in damp climates.)
|
|
HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Air conditioning unit (central unit)
Air conditioning unit (window unit)
Humdifier
Water heater (electric)
Water heater (gas)
Forced air furnace, heat pump
Furnace, gas or oil fired
|
15
10
8
14
11-13*
15
18
|
|
(* Depends on type of water heater lining, whether it is protected and quality of water.)
|
|
HOME SECURITY APPLIANCES
Instrusion system
Smoke detector
Smoke/fire/intrusion system
LANDSCAPING
Wooden deck
Brick and concrete patio
Tennis court
Concrete walk
Gravel walk
Asphalt driveway
Swimming pool
Sprinkler system
Fence
PAINTS AND STAINS
Exterior paint on wood, brick and aluminum
Interior wall paint
Interior trim and door
Interior wallpaper
|
14
12
10
15
24
10
24
4
10
18
12
12
7-10
5-10*
5-10
7
|
|
(* Depends on acrylic content.)
|
|
PLUMBING
Waste pipe (concrete)
Waste pipe (cast iron)
Sinks (enamel steel sink)
Sinks (enamel cast iron sink)
Sinks (porcelain sink)
Faucets --low quality
Faucets-- high quality
|
50-100
75-100
5-10
25-30
25-30
13-15*
15-20
|
|
(* Depends mostly on the finish. Chrome and PVD brass finishes lasts much longer than
non-PVD brass or enamel.)
|
|
ROOFING
Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes
Tile
Slate
Sheet metal
Built-up roofing (asphalt)
Built-up roofing (coat and tar)
Asphalt composition shingle
Asphalt overlag
|
15-30
50*
50-100**
20-50+ †
12-25††
12-30††
15-30
25-35
|
|
(* Depends on quality of tile, thoroughness of the design, and climate.)
(** Depends on grade.)
(† Depends on gauge of metal, quality of coating, thoroughness of design and application.)
(†† Both built-up roofing categories depend on materials and drainage. Coatings will add to life span.)
|
|
SIDING
Gutters and downspouts
Siding (wood)
Siding (steel)
Siding (alulminum)
Siding (vinyl)
|
30
10-100*
50-life
20-50
50
|
|
(* Ten years if constantly moistened, to 100 years if properly maintained.)
|
|
WINDOWS
Window glazing
Wood casement
Aluminum casement
Screen
|
20
20-50
10-20
25-50
|
Category Sources:
Appliances--Appliance Statistical Review, April 1990;
Bathrooms--Neil Kelly Designers, and Thompson House of Kitchens and Baths;
Cabinets--Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, and Neil Kelly Designers;
Countertops--AFP Associates of Western Plastics and Ceramic Tile Institute
of America;
Doors--Wayne Dalton Corporation, National Wood Window and Door
Association, and Raynor Garage Doors;
Finishes--Brick Institute of America;
Floors--Carpet and Rug Institute, Congoleum Corporation, Hardwood Plywood
Manufacturers Association, National Wood Flooring Association, Resilient
Floor Covering Institute, Marble Institute, and National Terrazzo and
Mosaic Association;
Footings and Foundations--Safe Aire Incorporated and
W. R. Grace and Company;
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning--Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, Air Movement and Control
Association, American Gas Association, American Society of Gas Engineers,
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
Inc., and Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News;
Landscaping--Associated Landscape Contractors of America, and Irrigation
Association;
Paints and Stains--Finnaren and Haley, Glidden Company, and
The Wall Paper.
A teeming busload of
actual homeplans that you can buy awaits your perusal at
the
HomeStyles site.
