Brad's Real Estate Blog

Life Expectancy of Home Components

A home is expected to last many years and serve successive generations. But what about the indivdual components that comprise the house? How many years of service can a home owner reasonably expect from a roof or door, a window or a whirlpool tub?

A new study sponsored by Bank of America Home Equity and conducted by the National Association of Home Builders takes some of the mystery out of the subject with the caveat that numerous factors, including use, maintenance, climate, advances in technology and simple consumer preferences can have a dramatic effect on product longevity.

Some of the findings include:

Appliances- Gas ranges, 15 years; dryers and refrigerators 13

Cabinetry and storage- Kitchen cabinets, 50 years

Countertops- Natural stone, lifetime; cultured marble, 20 years

Faucets and fixtures- Acrylic sinks, 50 years; kitchen faucets, 15; showerheads, 20 years

Home technology- Built-in audio system, 20 years; security systems and heat/smoke detectors, 5-10 years

Windows and skylights- Aluminum windows, 15-20 years; wooden windows, 30 years

You can read the complete findings at www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=72475