How long a house can last?

Life expectancy of a wood frame house with a concrete foundation can be well over a hundred years provided the home has proper maintenance and care. Naturally homes that are built with quality materials and good workmanship will last longer than ones built poorly. One-half of U.S. homes built before 1980 it is estimated that about 38% houses in the Italy were built before 1970 and are thus now more than 49 years old, according to a survey.

Not only do homes cross the 100 year mark, but they can last for 100’s of years. In Europe there are many homes, castles and structures that have lasted for centuries, partially due to the materials, such as stone, brick and concrete that they were constructed out of. In the United States two hundred year old homes are found in many states and occasionally there will be a few that are sold in the ever day coarse of real estate home sales.

Maintenance and up-grading

Older homes will generally have had their roofs replaced, new heating and air-conditioning systems installed, bathrooms and kitchens remodeled and plumbing and electrical systems upgraded. However, their basic structural bones, the foundation, footings and framing are basically the same. In areas with earthquakes and high winds owners may have reinforced the structural components to help withstand these forces.

The basic reason for this is that as components and various systems, such as plumbing, HVAC system, electrical systems and large dual pane windows become worn out or obsolete; and they cost more to replace or update than the value or wroth added. Imagine high rise buildings with large glass facades and dual pane windows where the large insulated glass panels have begun to fail, where they have become foggy, internally streaked and have lost their insulation value which is not unusual after 20 or 30 years. Now think of the cost to replace and upgrade these windows and cladding; it can be astronomically expensive.