Disadvantages of Prefabricated Houses

The disadvantages of prefabricated houses are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. Insufficient seismic resistance
Prefabricated houses mainly rely on the splicing of cement components. Although a small amount of steel bars are added, their overall seismic resistance is significantly lower than that of modern buildings. According to a test report from the China Academy of Building Research, prefabricated slab buildings have a collapse risk 3-5 times higher than modern frame-structure buildings when subjected to earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above. Their structures lack integrity, and safety precautions are clearly inadequate in natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.

2. Poor sound insulation and thermal insulation
The walls and floor slabs of prefabricated houses are usually thin, with sound insulation performance 15-25 decibels lower than current standards. Residents often report being able to clearly hear their neighbors' activities. Thermal insulation performance is also poor, making them prone to being hot in summer and cold in winter. Additional reliance on air conditioners or heating equipment is required, increasing energy consumption. Survey data from housing and construction departments indicates a significant gap in thermal performance compared to modern buildings.

3. Difficult to adjust internal structure
The walls of prefabricated houses are mostly load-bearing structures, and large-scale demolition and modification are almost not allowed. Any alteration to a wall may affect the overall stability, making it difficult for residents to customize the space according to their needs, with flexibility far lower than that of modern commercial housing.

4. High risk of water seepage
Over time, cement components are prone to cracks, and the gaps between components increase, leading to frequent water seepage problems between floors. Statistics from building quality supervision departments show that the leakage rate of prefabricated houses is more than 40% higher than that of modern buildings. Long-term leakage can also corrode the internal structure and shorten the building's lifespan.

5. Short service life
The design service life of prefabricated houses is usually 30-50 years. Most were built in the 1970s-1990s, and many are approaching or have exceeded their service lives, experiencing problems such as wall aging and steel bar corrosion. Frequent repairs or the risk of demolition are required.

6. Poor structural strength
Prefabricated slabs are fixed by splicing and lack the toughness of on-site poured reinforced concrete. Some adopt a hollow design, with a steel bar density far lower than that of cast-in-place structures, resulting in insufficient overall structural strength and difficulty in withstanding significant external forces.

7. Frequent cracks
Wall cracks not only weaken structural strength and increase the risk of collapse but also lead to water seepage problems. Damp environments are prone to breeding mold and bacteria, endangering residents' health and further reducing living comfort.