Mother Nature and fire/friction are constantly trying to wreak your stuff. With houses the good thing is that you can fix just about anything. Here’s a list I got from an old home inspection. All of these lifespans assume regular maintenance and normal use. Your results may vary. And last, I tried to include stuff that everybody thinks lasts forever.
3-10 YEARS LIFESPAN
- Termite proofing (may have shorter life in damp climates)
- Exterior paint on wood, brick, and aluminum, plaster, and stucco
- Vinyl plastic, exterior siding and trim
10-12 YEARS LIFESPAN - Dishwashers
- Disposal
- Shower doors, average quality
- Compact Freezers
- Garage door opener
- Pumps, sump and well
- Asphalt driveways
- Fences
12-14 YEARS LIFESPAN - Electric ranges
- Compact Refrigerators
- Exhaust fans
- Fiberglass bathtub and showers
14-16 YEARS LIFESPAN - Dryers
- Standard Freezers
- Standard Refrigerators
- Laminate Countertops
- Carpeting
- Central air conditioning unit
- Electric water heater
- Forced air furnaces, heat pump
- Wooden decks
- Sprinkler systems
16-18 YEARS LIFESPAN - Microwave ovens
- Gas ranges & ovens
- Washers, automatic and compact
- Kitchen cabinets
- Wood/butcher block Countertops
- Vinyl sheet or tile Flooring
- Gas water heater (depends on type of water heater lining and quality of water)
18-35 YEARS LIFESPAN - Medicine cabinets and bath vanities
- Ceramic tile Countertops, high-grade installation
- Granite Countertops
- Exterior Doors, unprotected and exposed
- Interior, solid core doors
- Garage doors
- Furnaces, gas- or oil-fired
- Brick and concrete patios
- Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes
50-100 YEARS LIFESPAN - Cast iron bathtubs
- Toilets
- Exterior Doors, protected overhang
- Waterproofing, bituminous coating
- Waste piping, cast iron
- Stairs, trim
LIFETIME - Copper, copper plated, copper clad aluminum, and bare copper wiring
- Oak or pine Flooring
- Slate flagstone Flooring
- Chimney, fireplace, and brick veneer
If you like this you’ll like Mike Hunter, the House Hunter as your Realtor even better. He knows the Sudbury market and has represented many happy Sudbury households to buy or sell for years. Please feel free to forward his profile to others you feel would benefit from his services.
Call Mike 978-580-1069 today.
For a full list of architectural styles click here.
People also ask about other House Styles of New England click here
Mike Hunter … expert Metrowest Boston real estate advice and simple results-driven transactions
