Does hardcover last longer than paperback?

Pros for hardcover books Tend to last longer – with the thickness and quality of the cover it gives the book protection that you wouldn’t necessarily get with a paperback book.

Do paperbacks last?

Paperbacks—even the trade paperbacks that are popular now—are made with a limited lifespan in mind. While hardcovers from 20–40 years ago may or may not still be usable due to other factors, paperbacks from the same time period are basically nonexistent.

Do hard cover books last longer?

First, there’s an obvious difference: hardcover books last longer than paperbacks, no matter their age. Hardcovers have always been designed for a long service life, with better and hardier materials. Paperbacks—even the trade paperbacks that are popular now—are made with a limited lifespan in mind.

Why are mass market paperback books so expensive?

Trade paperbacks are higher end books. Better paper, printing, etc. They cost more to make and therefore demand a higher price. These are meant to be books that people will keep on their book shelves, but not cost them as much as a hardcover book will cost.

Why are paperbacks more expensive than hardcover?

Like cinema tickets, hardcover books generate more profit per unit than paperbacks. Once hardback sales have slowed, a paperback edition is released. Printed at a higher volume than the hardback, it usually sells in greater numbers, but at lower margins.

What is the lifespan of a paperback book?

The average shelf life of a paperback book is about 10 to 20 years, while the average shelf life of a hardcover book is about 40 to 60 years. This lies in the fact that paperbacks are more prone to wear and tear than hardcovers. The main thing that affects the lifespan of a book is its physical condition.

Why are hardcover books cheaper than paperback?

If publishers print more copies of hardcover books than turned out to sell at the original price, then the unsold copies will either get destroyed or reduced in price until the the publisher can get their warehouse space back. So you end up with “much cheaper than they used to be but still brand new” hardbacks.