Pinto Carpentry has been in business for more than 20 years serving most areas of New Jersey. Through work on residential and commercial building projects, including renovating several homes of our own and our company woodshop, we’ve gained quite a bit of knowledge on different structures and parts of a home. As you can imagine, we’ve seen and heard quite a bit during our 2+ decades of construction experience. That’s why it’s important to us to share some of this wealth of knowledge with potential clients and new homeowners especially.
Through our blogs, we want to arm our clients and fellow neighbours with the know-how to both maintain and repair their home with utmost expertise. We’ve already covered topics like how to find and select a stair and railing installer, how to find a contractor in your area, some great DIY woodworking projects to beautify your home, and how to improve your home’s curb appeal. Today, we’re going to be going over some important timelines for how long you can expect things to last on your home. We’ll be covering siding, roofing, and exterior paint; vital appliances like heaters and pumps; household appliances indoors; etc. with the anticipated goal that this may help you best prepare, budget save for these expected household maintenance items, repairs, and eventual replacements.
How long does roofing last in the average New Jersey home?
The typical asphalt roofing shingle will last between 15 and 30 years, depending on the quality of supplies chosen and the installation. Your options include 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles, and luxury singles; the least expensive option lasts 15-20 years on average and the most expensive generally 20-30 years.
Specialty materials may provide you longer lasting duration in New Jersey weather, but do generally have a higher price point. Synthetic materials which are usually a blend of virgin rubber or plastic, recycled rubber, mineral dust, or cellulose last an average of 30 to 50 years. Metal roofing options can last an average of 40 to 70 years, if installed properly and well-maintained. Clay tiles and slate can last 50 to 100 years, with some variety of slate shingle lasting up to 150 years!
How long does siding last in the average New Jersey home?
The durability and longevity of siding depends on the material, maintenance, and environmental conditions. Vinyl siding is the most common option, and generally lasts an average of 20 to 40 years. The thicker the vinyl siding material, the stronger the material and the more harsh weather conditions it can endure. Aluminum siding is a second popular choice due to its lightweight material and rust resistance, and offers a similar durability of about 30 to 50 years average. Likewise, Wood shingles offer 30 to 30 years if they’re properly maintained, however they’re a little more demanding than other materials in upkeep, which can cause them to wear rapidly if not maintained.
Both Engineered Wood siding, which blends wood fibers with other synthetic or recycled materials, and lasts upwards of 30 to 50 years. Fiber cement Siding is also selected for similar durability of 30 to 50 years, as well as its ability to strongly resist both rot and mold, and even fire.
How often do you need to replace flooring in a home?
Different floorings have different lifespans and maintenance routines. It’s important to follow the maintenance routine suggested by the manufacturer, and use only approved products for cleaning to extend the life of your flooring and prevent damage. Relatedly, disregarding maitenance suggestions may void limited or lifetime warranties on things like Luxury Vinyl or Engineered and Laminate flooring.
Carpets should be regularly deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months by a professional service. If you have pets, you should be spot cleaning and vacuuming your carpets at least twice per week. With proper upkeep, carpets generally remain in good condition for about a decade, 10 years. You’ll notice the floor begin to get matted or the fibers may start to come apart when vacuuming or sweeping.
Hardwood floors do require regular sweeping, polishing, and waxing. If properly maintained the typical floor coating on these floors lasts 10 to 12 years. If you notice deep scratches or nicks in the top finish, you may want to have them professionally sanded down and refinished. Any boards that are bowing or sagging or have been water damaged need to be replaced.
Quality laminate flooring and engineered wood flooring can last between 10 and 25 years. For long-lasting flooring that can withstand high traffic areas, it’s best to select mid-grade or premium flooring options. The thicker the floor the stronger it can resist impact and reduces chances of warping, as well as being better insulated for noise reduction.
Tile floors can last a significantly long time, but do have risks of chipping and cracking, but if properly maintained can last multiple decades. Should you find any damaged tiles, they should be replaced imminently to prevent moisture and humidity from getting inside.
Luxury vinyl flooring has been increasingly popular in the DIY homeowner circuit. The options are plentiful and the textures and quality may even mimic engineered or wood flooring. However, the quality and price point matters; cheap laminate flooring may peel or warp or scuff easily. Quality laminate vinyl plank flooring can last 10 to 30 years.
How often can I expect to replace appliances in my home?
Most household appliances last an average of 10 to 15 years, but price point, usage, and household maintenance are all contributing factors to actual duration. Choosing higher-quality appliances from very reputable brands increases your chances of long-lasting machinery. Ensuring that you continue the proper recommended maintenance, cleaning, repair scheduling as suggested by manufacturer may significantly extend the life of your appliances. If your appliance is reaching close to the 8 to 10 year mark, it’s a good idea to start budgeting for its replacement in the next 1 to 3 years. In many cases, the machinery can be repaired by the homeowner or experienced handyperson, but if the cost is equal or greater than the price of a new model, it’s generally better to replace it. Always check your warranty paperwork to ensure that it is able to be user-serviced, as some require brand certified technicians to keep warranty terms.
Refrigerators are expected to last around 10 years, but may go up to 15+ years.
Dishwashers generally last around 5 to 12 years depending on usage and maintenance.
Washing machines will generally last 10 to 12 years, but if you overload or underload the washer it may throw it off balance and break the machine early, with dryers following the same path depending on usage.
Central AC units and HVAC systems last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance routines.
Microwaves generally last 7 to 10 years.
How does your experience as a homeowner stack up to these estimated timelines? How long does "stuff" last in your home? What are some things you've done to extend the life of your appliances? What helped you maintain your floors, roof, and siding on a budget? Let us know in a comment!
When you’re ready to renovate your residential or commercial staircase or indoor handrail, we’ll be there! Call the crew at Pinto Carpentry today to schedule an appointment for a consultation. Our experienced team will measure and custom design a set of stairs to suit your needs and style choices. Not sure which material to choose for your stairs? With over 20 years of industry experience, our highly skilled and trained professionals will guide you to the best choice for your lifestyle, foot traffic, and budget options. Call us directly at 908-922-1778 to book your appointment, or reach out to us via email or any of our social media channels. At the end of your consultation, you’ll get a personalized estimate reflecting your material choices and budget in mind. When you’re ready, we’ll add you to our schedule and start your project swiftly. We can’t wait to work with you!
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