Prefabricated Panel House

Prefabricated panel houses are buildings constructed primarily with prefabricated panels, characterized by low cost, rapid construction, but weak earthquake resistance and limited lifespan. Currently, they are mainly repaired and renovated, with some requiring demolition and reconstruction.

Definition and Structural Characteristics of Prefabricated Panel Houses

The core component of prefabricated panel houses is the prefabricated panel, a factory-made cement element. These panels are produced by nailing wooden molds, arranging steel bars, and pouring cement, resulting in both solid and hollow types. The hollow structure reduces the amount of non-load-bearing concrete, achieving lightweighting and lowering material costs. This building form originated in the early 20th century and was initially used for floor slabs and roof insulation layers. Most residential buildings constructed in China before 1985 adopted this structure.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Prefabricated Panel Houses

Advantages:

1. Low Cost and Rapid Construction: Prefabricated panels are mass-produced in factories and assembled on-site, significantly shortening construction periods and reducing labor costs, quickly meeting housing demands.
2. Wide Applicability: Due to early technological limitations, they were widely used in multi-story residential buildings and schools.

Disadvantages:

1. Weak Earthquake Resistance: The connections between prefabricated panels are mostly rigid joints, which are prone to breakage during earthquakes, leading to the collapse of the entire building.
2. Poor Sound and Thermal Insulation: The hollow structure or low material density results in insufficient sound insulation and thermal insulation performance.
3. Limited Lifespan: The designed service life is approximately 30-50 years, with actual lifespans often ranging from 30-40 years. Overuse poses safety risks.

Current Status and Policy Orientation

With the development of building technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings are gradually replacing traditional prefabricated panel houses. Prefabricated buildings use modular factory-made components (such as CMC composite modules that enhance earthquake resistance through steel-concrete integrated pouring), reducing construction periods by 30%. Since 2022, China has implemented renovation policies for old buildings, focusing on repairing and renovating prefabricated panel houses and only demolishing those that meet the criteria for dangerous buildings. The policy emphasizes "adapting measures to local conditions and implementing differentiated strategies":

• Repair and Renovation: For buildings with undamaged main structures, measures such as reinforcement and pipeline updates are taken to extend their lifespan.
• Demolition and Reconstruction: Three types of buildings are prioritized for demolition:
  1. Those with damaged main structures that cannot be repaired;
  2. Those unable to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods;
  3. Those located on municipal planning land.

Other Forms and Market of Prefabricated Houses

In addition to traditional prefabricated panel houses, "prefabricated houses" also include steel, concrete, and wooden forms. Chinese companies have significant advantages in the steel and concrete sectors: steel structures are lightweight and suitable for ocean transportation and high-rise buildings; concrete structures are closer to traditional living experiences and have high acceptance in the domestic market. In the first four months of 2026, enterprises in the Guangzhou Customs area exported movable houses worth 1.4 billion yuan, while exports from Shenzhen ports reached 1.68 billion yuan, showing significant year-on-year growth and reflecting strong international market demand.