Money.com just did a slide show of a recent survey, conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, that gives suggestions on just how long you ought to keep that avocado linoleum and powder blue toilet. And the results are in:
- Electric Range – they tested gas ranges and said 15 years, but the lifespan for electrics is very similar. Yes, I can already tell that someone’s going to say that Aunt Patsy has a 40-year old range in her kitchen but that doesn’t mean she should, does it?
- Refrigerators – 15 years. After that yogurt starts going bad.
- Dishwasher – 10 years. This one seemed really low to me.
- Cabinets – 50 years.
- Concrete and Masonry – Foundations made of materials like brick, or stone and concrete, should last for 100 years or more. Other factors come into play here, like drainage and topography, but short of natural disasters a foundation should last a long, long time.
- Counters – surfaces like formica might last 20 years or so, while granite and other stones could last … well … forever!
- Decks – 20 years, but climate and treatment play a lot into this.
- Electrical – copper wiring and the like could last for a long, long time, but it’s a good idea to replace switches and outlets every ten years or so. They’re the ones getting the most use, like when you yank the cord out of the socket to see the spark – c’mon, you know you’ve done it!
- Plumbing – 15-50 years. Quite a range, but their suggestion is that faucets and fixtures are on the low end of things, while sinks and tubs could be on the high end.
- Floors – floor surfaces have quite a range as well, and depend on the type of surface in particular. Expect anywhere from 25-100 years.
- Roofing – According to http://www.rooftopservices.com/, materials materials materials. Typical shingle roofing might last 20 years or so, while slate and tiles might be 50 years or more.
- Siding – 20-50 years.
- Windows – Their comment is to "think wood", which might last 30 years or so. I would think that vinyl insulated windows would last just as well, but expect on average 15-30 years regardless.
The full slide show can be seen here.
Excellent point – thankfully we don’t have this kind of gross negligence in our area but that’s not to say oversight and cost-cutting measures aren’t used. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out New River Village in Christiansburg, however – a quick drive through the neighborhood will reveal improperly installed siding that has been beaten and battered by high winds. Maple Ridge in Blacksburg is another neighborhood where “cost-saving features and materials” have created headaches for homeowners. Good point, Ryan.
Excellent point – thankfully we don’t have this kind of gross negligence in our area but that’s not to say oversight and cost-cutting measures aren’t used. I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out New River Village in Christiansburg, however – a quick drive through the neighborhood will reveal improperly installed siding that has been beaten and battered by high winds. Maple Ridge in Blacksburg is another neighborhood where “cost-saving features and materials” have created headaches for homeowners. Good point, Ryan.