How to Decorate Prefabricated Panel Houses
The decoration of prefabricated panel houses requires targeted treatment based on their structural characteristics. The core principle is to avoid damaging the structural stability of the prefabricated panels while compensating for defects such as sound insulation and load-bearing capacity through technical means.
1. Plumbing and Electrical Renovation: Avoid Structural Damage
Prefabricated panels are hollow structures. When cutting grooves in the walls, strictly control the depth (≤5 cm) and never cut horizontally, as this may damage the internal steel bars or cause the panel to fracture. Electrical wires should be laid around the joints of the prefabricated panels. 20 mm high wooden strips can be used as supports, allowing the wires to pass through the gaps between the strips and avoiding direct fixation to the prefabricated beams, which could lead to cracking during subsequent installation of gypsum boards due to uneven contact surfaces. If additional sockets are needed, prioritize locations at the joints of the prefabricated panels or non-load-bearing walls to minimize interference with the main structure.
2. Wall Treatment: Strengthen Base Stability
- Base Inspection and Cleaning: Sand or wire brush the surface to remove pores, cracks, and release agent residues. Oil stains should be treated with a specialized cleaning agent; dust should be rinsed off with a high-pressure water gun and thoroughly dried to prevent hollow areas in the putty layer.
- Joint Treatment: The joints between prefabricated panels are prone to cracking and should be filled with polyurethane sealant, whose elasticity can accommodate minor deformations of the panels and prevent cracking of the putty layer due to stress concentration.
- Putty Application: If the wall surface is flat and has no waterproofing requirements, putty paste can be applied directly. If the absorption rate is low (e.g., smooth concrete surfaces) or waterproofing is required (e.g., bathrooms), an interface agent should be applied first to enhance adhesion, followed by layered application of waterproof putty.
3. Sound Insulation and Reinforcement: Enhance Living Safety
Poor sound insulation is a common issue in old prefabricated panel buildings and can be addressed with a combination of soundproof panels + double-glazed windows: soundproof panels are installed on the walls (with a 5-10 cm air gap reserved), and double-glazed windows (insulated glass) can reduce noise by 30-40 decibels, improving overall sound insulation by over 70%. If walls need to be demolished or spaces expanded, a professional agency must be commissioned to inspect wall cracks, steel bar corrosion, and foundation settlement first. Reinforcement plans should be selected based on the assessment results:
- Mild damage: Grouting repair (inject epoxy resin into cracks);
- Moderate damage: Steel plate reinforcement (attach steel plates to both sides of the wall);
- Severe settlement: Pile foundation reinforcement (stabilize the foundation through piles).
4. Ceiling Decoration: Precise Leveling to Prevent Cracking
When installing wooden joists, use a level to emit a 360-degree laser to locate the lowest point. Use this point as the reference and gradually adjust the height of the other wooden strips downward with an electric screwdriver (avoid impact wrenches, as their high speed can lead to over-adjustment). The recommended spacing between wooden strips is 30-40 cm to ensure even stress distribution on the gypsum board and reduce the risk of deformation later. If there are cracks in the ceiling, remove the loose parts first, repair them with elastic sealant, and then cover them with anti-crack mesh to enhance crack resistance.
