| Bathrooms |
Life in years |
| Cast iron bathtubs |
50 |
| Fiberglass bathtub and showers |
10-15 |
| Shower doors, average quality |
25 |
| Toilets |
50 |
| Sources: Neil Kelly Designers, Thompson House of
Kitchens and Bath |
| Cabinetry |
Life in years |
| Kitchen cabinets |
15-20 |
| Medicine cabinets and bath vanities |
20 |
| Sources: Kitchen Cabinet Manfacturers Association,
Neil Kelly Designers |
| 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+ |
| Sources: AFP Associates of Western Plastics, Ceramic
Tile Institute of America |
| 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 |
| Sources: Wayne Helton Corporation, National Wood
Window and Door Association, Raynor Garage Doors |
| 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 |
3-5 |
| Sealer, silicone, and waxes |
1-5 |
| Sources: Brick Institute of America Floors |
| Floors |
Life in years |
| Oak or pine |
Lifetime |
| Slate flagstone |
Lifetime |
| Vinyl shee or tile |
20-30 |
| Terrazzo |
Lifetime |
| Corpeting (depends on installation, amount of traffic, and quility
of carpet) |
11 |
| Marble (depends on installation, thickness of marble, and amount
of traffic) |
Lifetime+ |
| Sources: Carpet and Rug Institute,
Congoleum Corporation, Hardwood Plywood Manufacturers Association,
Marble Institute, National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, National
Wood Flooring Association, Resilient Floor Covering Institute |
| 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 |
| Source: WR Grace and Company |
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