The Average Lifespan of a House
The lifespan of a home is often dependent on the components within the home itself. Although the brick exterior may last centuries, items such as flooring, appliances and cabinets may have only a few years to their name.
Each item in a home comes with its very own life expectancy and replacement schedule.
Find out the lifespan of you property from data compiled by the National Association of Home Builders and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
Exterior Features
Exterior home features have varying lifespans. While garage door openers, outdoor
caulking and windows may only last a decade (at best), stone veneers ( the highest-ROI
home improvement you can make) can last centuries.
Here’s a breakdown of some common outdoor features:
- Roof: 20-50 years
- Brick: 100+ years
- Veneer: Lifetime
- Caulking: 2-10 years
- Stucco: 50-100 years
- Wood decking: 10-30 years
- Doors: 20 years-lifetime, depending on the material
- Poured foundation: Lifetime
- Garage door openers: 10-15 years
- Paints and stains: 15 years
- Shutters: 15-20 years
- Gutters: 20-100 years
- Asphalt driveway: 15-20 years
- Windows: 10-30 years
Appliances
Of all the home components, appliances have the shortest lifespan. Trash compactors,
microwaves and dehumidifiers take home last place with a replacement needed after
9-10 years. First place goes to gas boilers, furnaces and ranges who respectively last
21, 20 and 15 years.
Here’s a breakdown of some common appliances:
- Trash compactors: 6 to 10 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
- In most homes, electrical systems have the longest lifespans, though solar panels score
high too. Air ducts, air conditioners and security systems need to be replaced the
soon. - 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
Most plumbing features have a rather lengthy lifespan. When it comes to sinks, the life expectancy is dependent upon the fixture’s material; enamel steel sinks last 5-10 years while soapstone sinks last 100 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
Cabinetry’s lifespan is dependent on its location in the house. Medicine-style cabinets, entertainment centers and home office cabinets usually last around 10 years. Cabinets in the laundry room, closets and the garage can last between 50 and 100 years.
Similarly, the material of your countertop affects its lifespan. Marble and concrete countertops usually last 50 years, while laminate counters live between 20 and 30 years. On the other hand, tile, wood and natural stone can withstand centuries of use.
Flooring lifespans also vary depending on the material. Cheaper options such as linoleum, vinyl and laminate will only last 25 years, while wood, bamboo, brick, marble, slate and tile can reach 100+ years.
Where Does Your Home Stand?
The median age of homes in the U.S. is 37 years. If your home is older than that, it’s most likely time for a repair or upgrade here or there. Since 2005, the age of U.S. housing stock has raised 6 years.
The Northeast is home to the oldest housing stock in the country; Massachusetts and Rhode Island take home the highest median house age with 54 and 53 years. The newest housing is in Nevada (21 years), Georgia (25 years) and Arizona (25 years).
When buying a home, it’s important to know the age of the property. Before closing the deal, be sure to add a home inspection contingency into your offer. This will allow you to have your home professionally inspected before signing any contracts.
Create a Home Maintenance Schedule No matter the age of your home, it’s crucial to have a home maintenance schedule in place. Extend your air conditioner and heating’s lifespan by cleaning your gutters,
changing your air filters and annually checking your HVAC. Ensure your home’s exterior lasts decades by regularly trimming back trees, cleaning the gutters and pressure washing the deck.
