At One Place

How long does a elevator last?

Typical lifespan
20–40 yr

A powered car running in a shaft, hydraulic in low-rise buildings and rope-driven with a counterweight above that.

Before major modernisation.

How that compares

Elevator against things of a similar time.

Elevator 20–40 yr
Polar bear 20–32 yr
Giraffe 20–28 yr
Grizzly bear 20–35 yr
Bathtub 15–50 yr
Tractor 15–50 yr
Window 15–40 yr
Sewing machine 10–50 yr

What that means over time

Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.
Period How many you would buy
Per year 0.04 replacements
Over 10 years 1 of them
Over a 30-year mortgage 1.2 of them

Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

More about an elevator

Common questions

How long does an elevator last?
An elevator lasts 20–40 yr. Before major modernisation.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked