Listen "Building Lifespans - From Castles to Cavity Walls"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we explore the true lifespan of buildings around the world, from ancient Japanese timber frames and Italian stone dwellings to Victorian terraces and modern brick homes in the UK. We separate design intent from real-world durability, unpack the role of maintenance, environment, and material science, and challenge common myths about how long homes really last. We also examine the expected lifespan of key materials like concrete, stone, brick, timber, and mortar under nominal conditions, and discuss what realistic expectations homeowners should have, especially when buying properties already 100 years old.
More episodes of the podcast Building Surveyor’s Diary
The Evil is in the Details
11/10/2025
Clay, Cracks and Victorian Houses
29/08/2025
Unmasking Damp
20/07/2025
Decoding Home Survey Ratings
01/05/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.