Renovation of Prefabricated Panel Houses

When renovating a prefabricated panel house, if you intend to lay floor tiles on the existing prefabricated panels, it is essential to reinforce the panels first. Direct laying is not advisable as it may accelerate the aging of the panels, leading to softening, bulging, or cracking of the floor tiles.

Prefabricated panel houses, built many years ago, pose certain safety risks. Their thin steel bars and large spans result in significant elasticity, and they may also experience sagging. Laying floor tiles directly on these panels increases their load and accelerates the aging process.

There are two primary methods for reinforcing prefabricated panels:

• Traditional Reinforced Concrete Method: Add two small beams beneath the prefabricated panels, forming a cross shape with the panels. During the operation, holes need to be drilled in the panels, followed by grouting for casting. This method distributes the load of the panels by adding small beams, enhancing the overall structural stability and effectively reducing issues such as sagging and cracking caused by uneven load distribution, providing a solid foundation for subsequent floor tile laying.
• Steel Beam Reinforcement Method: First, measure and mark the positions for the steel beams on both walls, then create openings for the beams. Use appropriate materials to support the steel beams, ensuring they are fully flush with the bottom of the prefabricated panels. Steel beams offer high strength and stability, capable of bearing significant loads. This approach transfers the load of the panels to the walls, reducing the pressure on the panels themselves and improving the safety of the house structure.

Additionally, during the renovation of old houses in areas such as Yangpu District, Shanghai, in 2026, professional companies have adopted specialized techniques to address issues like cracking in prefabricated panel floors. For example, Jiangcheng Decoration has developed its own triple-composite system of "elastic base layer + anti-crack mesh + high-toughness surface layer," which effectively reduces the wall repair rate. They also use lightweight steel structures to reinforce balconies, enhancing their load-bearing capacity and ensuring居住安全 (residential safety).