(c) 2007, The Washington Post

Life spans of some common home parts, according to the National Association of Home Builders. These estimates assume regular maintenance. (List is by life in years; "lifetime" is defined as 60 to 100 years.)



CABINETRY AND STORAGE

Bath cabinets, lifetime

Entertainment centers/home office, 10

Garage/laundry cabinets, 100+

Kitchen cabinets, 50

Medicine cabinets, 20+

Closet systems/closet shelves, lifetime



CONCRETE AND MASONRY

Brick, 100+

Veneer, lifetime

Caulking (for sealer), 2Ð20



COUNTERTOPS

Cultured marble, 20

Natural stone, lifetime

Tile, lifetime

Wood, lifetime



DECKS

Wood, 20



DOORS

Exterior doors

Fiberglass, lifetime

Screen, 40

Pine, 20

Cedar, 40

Mahogany, 60

Steel, fire-rated, lifetime

Vinyl, 20

Wood, lifetime

Interior doors

French, 30{ndash}50

Closet, lifetime



ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTING

Accessories, 10+

Lighting controls, 10+

Copper wiring

Copper-clad aluminum, lifetime

Bare copper, lifetime



ENGINEERED LUMBER

Engineered trim, 30

Laminated strand lumber, lifetime

Laminated veneer lumber, 30+

Trusses

Floor, lifetime

Roof, lifetime



FAUCETS AND FIXTURES

Accessible/ADA products, lifetime

Faucets

Bar/hospitality, 15

Kitchen sinks, 15

Lavatory, 20+

Tub/shower, 20+

Saunas/steam rooms, 15Ð20

Shower doors, 20+

Enclosures/modules, 50

Showerheads, lifetime

Toilets/bidets, lifetime

Whirlpool tubs, 20Ð50



SINKS: KITCHEN AND OTHERS

Enamel steel, 5Ð10

Modified acrylic, 50

Soapstone, 100+



FLOORING

All wooden floors, lifetime

Bamboo, lifetime

Brick pavers, 100+

Carpet, 8Ð10

Concrete, 50+

Engineered wood, 50+

Granite, 100+

Laminate, 15Ð25

Linoleum, 25

Marble, 100+

Slate, 100

Tile, lifetime

Vinyl, 50

Terrazzo, 75+



FOOTINGS AND FOUNDATIONS

Poured footings and foundations, lifetime

Concrete block, lifetime

Bituminous coating waterproofing, 10

Baseboard system, 50

Plumbing

Concrete waste pipe, 100

Cast-iron waste pipe, 100



FRAMING AND OTHER STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS

Poured-concrete systems, lifetime

Structural insulated panels, lifetime

Timber frame homes, lifetime



GARAGES

Garage door openers, 10Ð15

Light inserts, 20



HEATING AND COOLING

Air conditioners, 10Ð15

Air quality systems, 15

Boilers, 13Ð21

Dehumidifiers, 8

Ducting, 10

Furnaces, 15Ð20

Heat pumps, 16

Heat recovery ventilators, 20+

Thermostats, 35

Ventilators, 7

Water heaters, tankless 20+

Electric radiant heater, 40

Hot water or steam radiant heater, 15+

Diffusers, grilles and registers, 25

Induction and fan-coil units, 10Ð15

Dampers, 20+

Burners, under 10



INSULATION AND INFILTRATION BARRIERS

Insulation material

Cellulose, 100+

Fiberglass, lifetime

Foam, lifetime

Insulation type

Batts/rolls, lifetime

House wrap, lifetime

Loose fill, lifetime



PAINTS, CAULKS AND ADHESIVES

Paints and stains

Exterior, 15+

Interior, 15+



PANELS

Hardboard, 30

Oriented-strand Board, 25Ð30

Particleboard, 60

Plywood, 60

Softwood, 30

Underlayment, flooring, 25

Wall panels, lifetime



ROOFING

Material

Aluminum roof coating, 3Ð7

Fiber cement, 25

Asphalt, 20

Modified bitumen, 20

Copper, lifetime

Simulated slate, 50

Wood, 30

Clay/concrete, lifetime

Slate, 50+

Coal and tar, 30



SIDING AND ACCESSORIES

Material

Brick, Lifetime

Engineered wood, lifetime

Fiber cement, lifetime

Manufactured stone, lifetime

Stone, lifetime

Stucco, 50Ð100

Vinyl, lifetime

Related accessories

Fiber-cement soffits/fascias, 50

Trim, 25

Shutters

Wood/exterior, 20

Wood/interior, 15+

Aluminum/interior, 10

Gutters

Copper, 50+

Aluminum, 20

Galvanized steel, 20

Downspouts

Aluminum, 30

Copper, 100



WALLS, CEILINGS AND FINISHES

Acoustical ceiling, lifetime

Ceiling suspension, lifetime

Ceramic tile, lifetime

Standard gypsum, lifetime



WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS AND GLASS

Glass and glazing materials

Window glazing, 10+

Windows

Aluminum/aluminus clad, 15-20

Wood, 30+