Featured alt: An old house.
Whether you are buying a home or building one from the ground up, there is one thing that you need to remember. And it’s that no house lasts forever. Sure, there are materials you can use and building techniques you can practice which can make you a home that lasts for centuries. But, those techniques and materials are far from what any average person can afford. Therefore, what you’ll need to ask yourself is what is the average lifespan of a house? Well, as it turns out, the answer to this question is more complicated than you might think at first.
A thing to note about the average lifespan of a house
We could end this article by simply stating that the average lifespan of a house in the U.S. is 37 years. So, are we done? Well, not quite. One thing we would like you to consider is the notion of a house having a lifespan. What does it actually mean for a home’s lifespan to end? Is it when the roof goes? Or is it when it’s poured foundations become unusable? The more you think about it the more you will realize that applying the average lifespan to a particular house won’t do you much good when looking to buy one. Instead, you need to look at different parts of a house and their respective lifespans.
How long do different parts of a house last?
So, with this in mind, how long do different parts of a house last? Well, we’ve divided them up into four groups. That way you should have a clear overview of how long each part is estimated to last.
Exterior Features
The exterior features of your home and their lifetime largely depends on the materials you use for them. Some cheap materials will only last you a short while, even though they might look good at first. Meanwhile, more expensive materials can last you quite a while, even though there is no noticeable visual difference between them. So, here is what you can expect from your exterior features:
- Brick – 100 years – One of the best reasons to use standard bricks when building a home is that they often last a full century. So, if you are thinking about building a home that your grandkids can use, bricks are a good option.
Using bricks is the best way of making a long-lasting home.
Alt: Layout of bricks showing what you need to use in order to increase the average lifespan of a house.
- Foundation – 80 to 100 years – Keep in mind that this is an average. Depending on the area you live in and how stable the earth beneath your home is, your foundations can last forever. Especially so if you use quality materials for them.
- Roof – 20 to 50 years – This is another example of “you get what you pay for”. A decent roof made out of sturdy materials well suited for your local climate can easily last you 50+ years. But, a cheap, ill-fitted roof can sometimes last less than 20 years before it requires major repairs. So, when you get the idea to be cost-effective with your roof, think carefully.
- Gutters – 30 to 100 years – Gutters are another instance where poor choices and poor maintenance can easily shorten the lifespan. If you choose the right ones for your local climate and keep them clean, they should serve you well and long. But, if you opt for a cheaper option or you simply don’t bother with maintaining them, you will shorten their usability and their lifespan drastically.
You need to keep your gutters clean and use a gutter guard.
Alt: A gutter of a house with a gutter guard filled with leaves.
Home systems
Every house has various systems that keep it operational. Electrical systems provide electricity throughout your home and allow you to use tools and appliances. Security systems keep your home safe and sound, both while you are away and while you are in. And air conditioning systems keep your home at the proper temperature. So, since these systems are an integral part of any house, we should take a look at what their lifespan is as well.
- Security system – 20 years – An average security system should last you about 20 years. This means that all the sensors and monitors that were installed will function properly for that period of time. After that, you will probably have to replace it. But, as technology is progressing, most security technology becomes obsolete after 20 years. Therefore, when remodeling your home, you should be updating your security system, even if it is functioning properly.
- Air condition – 15 to 20 years – Air condition systems are more straightforward than security systems. But even they have a lifespan of 20 years, at the most. The way they are built forbids them from going over that period, and doing so can even be dangerous for your health.
- Electrical system – 60 years – Electrical systems, on the other hand, are usually built to last. If you have a qualified expert install one and you use good materials, your system can easily last you for 60+ years.
Plumbing system – 20 to 70+ years
Now, you might wonder why there is such a large variation in the lifespan of plumbing systems. Well, it is because there are a whole plethora of different materials you can use that differ both in price and quality. For instance, most homes in NYC use copper pipes that last 50 years, or if you go as far as to get quality PVC drain lines, they will easily last for 70+ years. But, in Hong Kong, for instance, people use poor quality galvanized pipes that only last for about 20 years. This is why you need to work through a real estate investments guide when buying in Hong Kong and check the plumbing carefully.
The quality of plumbing plays a big role in determining the average lifespan of a house.
Alt: Plumbing pipes connected together.
How to prolong the life of your home
Now, if you were reading carefully so far, you might already realize that there are ways to prolong the lifespan of your house. Namely, using quality materials and practicing regular maintenance are your best bets in making your home last. Especially if this is your first home. After all, finding any damage early is the best time to do so. And if there are no damages since you used quality materials, all the better. So, make sure to carefully weigh out the pros and cons of your materials when building or renovating your house.