Rural Houses with Prefabricated Panels

Rural houses with prefabricated panels are structures primarily built using prefabricated panels, which are cement components manufactured in factories and come in both solid and hollow types. These houses were once widely used in rural self-built housing but have numerous drawbacks and are now gradually being replaced, facing renovation or demolition.

Rural houses with prefabricated panels were more commonly adopted over 20 years ago, mainly due to their low cost and fast construction speed, with hoisting completed in just one day or half a day. However, they have several issues.

Waterproofing: There is a high probability of rain leakage during waterproofing work, with the saying that '8 out of 10 houses leak.' Even the waterproofing industry cannot guarantee 100% leak-proofing. This is because there are gaps at the joints of the prefabricated panels, and if not properly treated, rainwater can easily seep into the house.

Poor Earthquake Resistance: They cannot be used in earthquake-prone areas due to their low seismic resistance coefficient and are prone to collapse during earthquakes. The connections between the prefabricated panels are not strong enough, and under seismic forces, they are prone to misalignment and separation, leading to structural damage to the house.

Poor Thermal Insulation: The floor thickness is generally around 12 centimeters, and although it is a hollow structure, the thermal insulation effect is poor. The indoor temperature is high in summer and low in winter, often requiring secondary coverage of roofing materials on the floor to improve the situation.

Other Issues: There are generally problems with poor sound and heat insulation, and ground cracking may also occur, affecting neighborly relations.

With the development of construction technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings are gradually replacing traditional prefabricated panel houses. Since 2022, China has implemented a policy of renovating old buildings, focusing on repairing and renovating prefabricated panel houses and only demolishing those that meet the criteria for dangerous buildings. By 2025, influenced by factors such as the policy direction of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, accelerated urban village renovation, and new safety regulations for rural self-built housing, prefabricated panel houses may face more renovation or demolition situations.