How long will it last? The life expectancy of home products and materials.

We have been a throw-away society.  Looks old? Trash it and buy new. Out of date? Throw it out.  It's no wonder our landfills are so full that we send local garbage to distant locations to get rid of it. Here's a general guide to how long common appliances and products SHOULD last. If your style has changed and the items are working and workable, try donating to organizations like Habitat for Humanity. They sell donated goods to raise money to build homes.  Beware of purchasing "cheap" versions....it often costs more to buy them when replacement is not far behind.

Life Expectancy of Household Components
Appliances	Life in years
Compactors	10
Dishwashers	10-15
Dryers	14
Disposal	10
Freezers, compact	12
Freezers, standard	16
Microwave ovens	11
Electric ranges	17
Gas ranges	19
Gas ovens	14
Refrigerators, compact	14
Refrigerators, standard	17
Washers, automatic and compact	13
Exhaust fans	20
Bathrooms	Life in years
Cast iron bathtubs	50
Fiberglass bathtub and showers	10-15
Shower doors, average quality	25
Toilets	50
Cabinetry	Life in years
Kitchen cabinets	20+
Medicine cabinets and bath vanities	20+
Closet systems	Life in years
Closet shelves	Lifetime
Countertops	Life in years
Laminate	10-15
Ceramic tile, high-grade installation	Lifetime
Wood/butcher block	20+
Granite	20+
Doors	Life in years
Screen	25-50
Interior, hollow core	Less than 30
Interior, solid core	30-lifetime
Exterior, protected overhang	80-100
Exterior, unprotected and exposed	25-30
Folding	30-lifetime
Garage doors	20-50
Garage door opener	10-15
Electrical	Life in years
Copper wiring, copper plated, copper clad aluminum, and bare copper	100+
Armored cable (BX)	Lifetime
Conduit	Lifetime
Finishes used for waterproofing	Life in years
Paint, plaster, and stucco	5-15
Sealer, silicone, and waxes	1-5
Floors	Life in years
Oak or pine	Lifetime
Slate flagstone	Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or tile	20-30
Terrazzo	Lifetime
Carpeting (depends on installation, amount of traffic, and quality of carpet)	11-15
Marble (depends on installation, thickness of marble, and amount of traffic)	Lifetime+
Footings and foundation	Life in years
Poured footings and foundations	200
Concrete block	100
Cement	50
Waterproofing, bituminous coating	10
Termite proofing (may have shorter life in damp climates)	5
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)	Life in years
Central air conditioning unit (newer units should last longer)	15-25
Window unit	10-15
Air conditioner compressor	15
Humidifier	8-12
Electric water heater	14
Gas water heater (depends on type of water heater lining and quality of water)	11-13
Forced air furnaces, heat pump	15
Rooftop air conditioners	15
Boilers, hot water or steam (depends on quality of water)	30
Furnaces, gas- or oil-fired	18
Unit heaters, gas or electric	13
Radiant heaters, electric	10
Radiant heaters, hot water or steam	25
Baseboard systems	20
Diffusers, grilles, and registers	27
Induction and fan coil units	20
Dampers	20
Centrifugal fans	25
Axial fans	20
Ventilating roof-mounted fans	20
DX, water, and steam coils	20
Electric coils	15
Heat Exchangers, shell-and-tube	24
Molded insulation	20
Pumps, sump and well	10
Burners	21
Home security appliances	Life in years
Intrusion systems	14
Smoke detectors	12
Smoke/fire/intrusion systems	10
Insulation	Life in years
For foundations, roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors	Lifetime
Landscaping	Life in years
Wooden decks	15-20
Brick and concrete patios	24
Tennis courts	10
Concrete walks	24
Gravel walks	4
Asphalt driveways	10
Swimming pools	18
Sprinkler systems	12
Fences	12
Masonry	Life in years
Chimney, fireplace, and brick veneer	Lifetime
Brick and stone walls	100+
Stucco	Lifetime
Millwork	Life in years
Stairs, trim	50-100
Disappearing stairs	30-40
Paints and stains	Life in years
Exterior paint on wood, brick, and aluminum	10-15
Interior wall paint (depends on the acrylic content)	10+
Interior trim and door paint	5-10
Wallpaper	7
Plumbing	Life in years
Waste piping, cast iron	75-100
Sinks, enamel steel	5-10
Sinks, enamel cast iron	25-30
Sinks, china	25-30
Faucets, low quality	13-15
Faucets, high quality	15-20
Roofing	Life in years
Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes	15-30
Tile (depends on quality of tile and climate)	50
Slate (depends on grade)	50-100
Sheet metal (depends on gauge of metal and quality of fastening and application)	20-50+
Built-up roofing, asphalt	12-25
Built-up roofing, coal and tar	12-30
Asphalt composition shingle	15-30
Asphalt overlag	25-35
Rough structure	Life in years
Basement floor systems	Lifetime
Framing, exterior and interior walls	Lifetime
Shutters	Life in years
Wood, interior	Lifetime
Wood, exterior (depends on weather conditions)	4-5
Vinyl plastic, exterior	10+
Aluminum, interior	35-50
Aluminum, exterior	3-5
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Siding	Life in years
Gutters and downspouts	30
Siding, wood (depends on maintenance)	10-100
Siding, steel	50-Lifetime
Siding, aluminum	20-50
Siding, vinyl	50
Walls and window treatments	Life in years
Drywall and plaster	30-70
Ceramic tile, high grade installation	Lifetime
Windows	Life in years
Window glazing	20
Wood casement	20-50
Aluminum and vinyl casement	20-30
Screen	25-50