Enhancing the real estate experience through premium inspection solutions
(307) 575-7244
(307) 575-7244

Life Expectancy

Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes

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.

Source: nachi.org

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.

ADHESIVES, CAULK & PAINTS

Caulking (interior & exterior)

​Construction Glue  

​Paint (exterior)  

​Paint (interior)

​Roofing Adhesives/Cements

​Sealants

​Stains

YEARS

5 to 10

20+

7 to 10

10 to 15

15+ 

8

3 to 10

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.

APPLIANCES

Air Conditioner (window)

Compactor (trash) 

Dehumidifier

Dishwasher 

Disposal (food waste) 

Dryer Vent  (plastic) 

Dryer Vent  (steel) 

Dryer (clothes) 

Exhaust Fans 

Freezer

Gas Oven 

Hand Dryer

Humidifier (portable)

Microwave Oven

Range/Oven Hood

Electric Range

Gas Range

Refrigerator

Swamp Cooler

Washing Machine

Whole-House Vacuum System

YEARS

5 to 7

6

8

9

12

5

20

13

10

10 to 20

10 to 18

10 to 12

8

9

14

13 to 15

15 to 17

9 to 13

5 to 15

5 to 15

20

Modern kitchens today are larger and more elaborate. Together with the family room, they now form the “great room.”

CABINETRY & STORAGE

Bathroom Cabinets

Closet Shelves

Entertainment Center/Home Office

Garage/Laundry Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets

Medicine Cabinet

Modular (stock manufacturing-type)

YEARS

50+

100+

10

70+

50

25+

50

WALLS & CEILINGS

Acoustical Tile Ceiling

Ceramic Tile

Concrete

Gypsum

Wood Paneling

Suspended Ceiling

YEARS

40+ (older than 25 years may contain asbestos)

70+

75+

75

20 to 50

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.

COUNTERTOPS

Concrete

Cultured Marble

Natural Stone

Laminate

Resin

Tile

Wood

YEARS

50

20

100+

20 to 30

10+

100+

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.

DECKS

Deck Planks

Composite

Structural Wood

YEARS

15

8 to 25

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.

DOORS

Closet (interior)​

Fiberglass (exterior)​

Fire-Rated Steel (exterior)​

French (interior)​

Screen (exterior)​

Sliding Glass/Patio (exterior)​

Vinyl (exterior)​

Wood (exterior)​

Wood (hollow-core interior)​

Wood (solid-core interior)

YEARS

100+​

100+​

100+​

30 to 50​

30​

20 (for roller wheel/track

repair/replacement)

20​

100+​

20 to 30

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.

ELECTRICAL

Accessories​

Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs)​

Bare Copper​

Bulbs (compact fluorescent)​

Bulbs (halogen)​

Bulbs (incandescent)​

Bulbs (LED)

Copper-Clad Aluminum

Copper-Plated

Fixtures

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)

Lighting Controls

Residential Propane Backup Generators

Service Panel

Solar Panels​

Solar System Batteries

Wind Turbine Generators

YEARS

10+​

30​

100+​

8,000 to 10,000+ hours​

4,000 to 8,000+ hours​

1,000 to 2,000+ hours​

30,000 to 50,000+ hours​

100+​

100+​

40​

up to 30​

30+​

12​

60​

20 to 30​

3 to 12​​

20

Floor and roof trusses and laminated strand lumber are durable household components, and engineered trim may last 30 years.

ENGINEERED LUMBER

Engineered Joists​

Laminated Strand Lumber​

Laminated Veneer Lumber

Trusses

YEARS

80+​

100+​

80+​​

100+

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.

FASTENERS, CONNECTORS & STEEL

Adjustable Steel Columns​

Fasteners (bright)​

Fasteners (copper)​

Fasteners (galvanized)​

Fasteners (electro-galvanized)​

Fasteners (hot-dipped galvanized)​

Fasteners (stainless)​

Steel Beams​

Steel Columns

Steel Plates

YEARS

50+​

25 to 60​

65 to 80+​

10+​​

15 to 45​

35 to 60​

65 to 100+

200+​

100+

100+

Flooring life is dependent on maintenance and the amount of foot traffic the floor endures, cleaning frequency, and chemicals used. However, inspectors can use the guidelines below to make educated judgments about the materials they inspect.

​FLOORING

All Wood Floors

Bamboo

Brick Pavers

Carpet

Concrete

Engineered Wood

Exotic Wood

Granite

Laminate

Linoleum

Marble

Other Domestic Wood​

Slate​

Terrazzo

Tile

Vinyl

YEARS

100+​

100+​

100+​

8 to 10​

50+​

50+​

100+​

100+​

15 to 25

25​

100+​

100+​

100​

75+​

75 to 100

25

Eliminate surprises & earn Peace of Mind with Dunne Inspection Services

Schedule An Inspection Now

About Company

We are proud to have served clients in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado since 2017.

Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Yelp

Useful Links

Location

Dunne-Inspection-map
Opening hours
Monday- Friday: 8am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: Closed

Copyright © 2021 Dunne Inspections | designed by digilatics