Condo glass panels may look great, but you'll pay more for heat and AC

Printed with permission from Dan Barnabic, author of the Condo Bible for Canadians.

What does the future hold for condos and how long will they last? These are by far the questions I am asked most often by condo buyers and owners alike.

Life Span of Condo Building Components

Condo buildings consist of thousands of individual components. Over time, due to wear and tear, those components need repairs and replacements. Knowing how old the complex is and when certain components were last repaired or replaced will give you an idea of when theyll likely need maintenance and replacements again.

The chart at the bottom of this article shows operational life expectancies of major mechanical components of a condo complex over the years. From the sea of available data and through consultation with building experts, I created this chart which I believe provides a fair reflection of maintenance and replacement costs over time to an average high-rise condo building.

The first major component that will need maintenance and replacement is the roof of the complex. It will usually last up to about 10 years, after which it will require maintenance and replacement by the time it reaches 15 to 18 years.

Plumbing/piping will probably be the last as quality and durability has improved over the years, so you can expect it to remain operational for about 50 years. From thereon, it will require maintenance and eventual replacement as well. Standard size windows may also last about 50 years, requiring occasional maintenance such as replacement of screens and sealant. Complexes built of all glass windows need to be addressed in more detail.

Bear in mind that maintenance and repairs to the inside of the individual unit are the direct responsibility of the unit owner. Monthly maintenance fees do not cover anything inside the condo unit. Appliances, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical fixtures inside the unit have to be maintained and eventually replaced by the unit owner.

All Glass Windows

Because of their appeal, facades of new condo buildings lately have been transforming into glass, often extending from floor to ceiling of each condo unit. It gives condos a more attractive look and is a great selling feature, but building experts have known for quite some time that todays glass-walled structures are less energy efficient than the stone and concrete buildings that were put up 40 or 50 years ago.

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Condo glass panels may look great, but you'll pay more for heat and AC