New-type Flat Prefabricated Panel House

The new-type flat prefabricated panel house is a single-story house constructed primarily with prefabricated panels. It is currently facing technological iteration and market transformation. While existing products have certain limitations, they still hold application value in specific fields.

I. Core Features and Classification of Prefabricated Panel Houses

The core components of prefabricated panel houses are factory-made cement panels, which come in two types: solid and hollow. Their construction method falls within the category of traditional prefabricated buildings, where components are prefabricated in factories and then transported to the site for assembly. Currently, the Chinese prefabricated housing market has three mainstream forms: steel, concrete, and wood:

• Steel Structure: Known for its lightweight nature, suitability for ocean transport, and compatibility with high-rise buildings, it is widely used in industrial plants, temporary housing, and some commercial buildings.
• Concrete Structure: More closely aligned with traditional living experiences, it enjoys high acceptance in the domestic market and is commonly found in low-rise residential buildings or temporary resettlement housing.
• Wooden Structure: Notable for its environmental friendliness but higher cost, it is primarily used in cultural tourism projects or high-end custom residences.

II. Technological Iteration and Existing Issues

With the development of construction technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings (such as CMC composite modular buildings) are gradually replacing traditional prefabricated panel houses. New prefabricated buildings adopt steel-concrete integrated pouring technology, significantly enhancing earthquake resistance and reducing construction time by 30% compared to traditional methods. However, existing prefabricated panel houses generally face the following issues:

• Weak Earthquake Resistance: The joints between prefabricated panels are prone to cracking during earthquakes, making it difficult to meet seismic requirements in high-intensity areas.
• Poor Sound and Thermal Insulation: The internal cavities of hollow prefabricated panels easily form sound and thermal bridges, necessitating additional insulation layers.
• Limited Service Life: Problems such as concrete carbonation and steel reinforcement corrosion result in a service life of approximately 30-50 years, which is shorter than that of cast-in-place buildings.

III. Policy Orientation and Market Dynamics

Since 2022, China has implemented renovation policies for old residential areas, focusing on repairing and upgrading prefabricated panel houses and only demolishing those that meet the criteria for dangerous buildings. This policy not only preserves the practicality of prefabricated panel houses in temporary housing and post-disaster reconstruction but also promotes industry upgrades towards safety and durability. In the market, from January to April 2026, the export volume of prefabricated houses in Guangzhou and Shenzhen increased significantly (by 38.1% and 19.6%, respectively), indicating continued international demand for low-cost, rapidly deployable housing.

IV. Differences from Elevated Panel Residences

It should be noted that while elevated panel communities (elevated panel residences) represent a new type of three-dimensional community model, their design, which elevates the living landscape layer and separates pedestrian and vehicle traffic, primarily addresses issues such as dampness and noise. This represents a spatial layout innovation and has no direct connection to the structural form and design concept of prefabricated panel houses.