Concrete Prefabricated House

A "concrete prefabricated house" is a house assembled on-site using components prefabricated in a factory from materials such as cement, also known as a "prefab house".

Production and Forms of Prefab Houses

Prefab houses divide a house into independent modules, completing integrated prefabrication and acceptance of architecture, structure, electromechanical systems, decoration, and other specialties in the factory before being transported to the site for assembly and use. Their production primarily uses prefabricated panels, which are cement components prefabricated in the factory. To make them, a wooden model is first nailed, then steel bars are arranged and cement is poured, resulting in two types: solid and hollow. Prefab houses mainly come in three forms: steel structure, concrete, and wood. Chinese companies have comparative advantages in steel structure and concrete. Steel structures are lightweight and suitable for ocean transportation and high-rise buildings; concrete offers a more traditional living experience and is well-accepted in the domestic market.

Advantages of Prefab Houses

Prefab houses offer numerous advantages. Short construction period: Building a cement prefab house of about 200 square meters takes only 4 hours. Energy-saving and environmentally friendly: Prefabricating components in the factory reduces dust, noise, and other pollution from on-site construction. High adaptability: Modules can be combined and designed according to different needs. High cost-effectiveness: A prefab house can be delivered to your doorstep for as little as 200,000 RMB.

Disadvantages of Prefab Houses

Prefab houses also have some drawbacks. In rural China, compared to self-built houses, their structural stability is poorer, with module connections prone to cracking and water leakage. They are not as sturdy and durable as houses built brick by brick and are mostly used as transitional housing, often seen on construction sites. Existing prefab panel houses generally suffer from weak earthquake resistance and poor sound and thermal insulation, with a service life of about 30-50 years. Experts state that modular assembled prefab houses have slightly weaker earthquake resistance compared to cast-in-place houses. They can meet demand in non-seismic zones but should not be built too high, as it is difficult to meet seismic design requirements for building structures otherwise.