At One Place

How long does a window last?

Typical lifespan
15–40 yr

A glazed opening in a wall, normally double-glazed in an insulated vinyl, timber or aluminium frame.

The sealed glazing unit usually fails before the frame does.

How that compares

Window against things of a similar time.

Window 15–40 yr
Polar bear 20–32 yr
Giraffe 20–28 yr
Grizzly bear 20–35 yr
Bathtub 15–50 yr
Elevator 20–40 yr
Tractor 15–50 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 a window

Common questions

How long does a window last?
A window lasts 15–40 yr. The sealed glazing unit usually fails before the frame does.

Related pages

Sources

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

How these figures are compiled and checked