Are Prefabricated Panel Structure Houses Good?

Prefabricated panel structure houses are not ideal and have many issues, so they are not recommended as the preferred type of house structure. The specific issues are as follows:

Poor Earthquake Resistance: The overall integrity of prefabricated panel structure houses is relatively poor, and their construction method is similar to building a house with building blocks. In the event of an earthquake, the floor slabs and walls are prone to instant separation, causing the house to suddenly collapse without any warning cracks or deformation buffering. This type of structure experiences relatively severe collapses during earthquakes, and the casualty rate is also relatively high.

Weak Connection Points: The connections between prefabricated panels and walls, as well as between panels themselves, are usually relatively simple and lack the support of a rigid framework. When the foundation settles or the walls crack, the prefabricated panels are prone to misalignment and loosening. Over time, the connection points may weather, and the steel bars may rust, leading to a reduction in strength and even potentially triggering a chain reaction of collapses.

Substandard Materials: The steel bars in standard prefabricated panels are relatively thin, but some small workshops may use thin steel wires instead of steel bars. At the same time, the concrete grade may not meet the standards, and the thickness may be insufficient, resulting in the prefabricated panels being brittle and prone to fracture. Once the load-bearing capacity is exceeded, the prefabricated panels may fracture instantly without any warning, posing a significant safety hazard.

Poor Sound Insulation and Thermal Insulation: The sound insulation and thermal insulation performance of prefabricated panel structure houses are relatively poor. In summer, the interior of the house tends to be hot, while in winter, it tends to be cold. Additionally, due to the poor sound insulation, residents can clearly hear the sounds of their neighbors, affecting their quality of life.

Difficult to Adjust Internal Structure: The internal structure of prefabricated panel structure houses is almost impossible to make large-scale modifications to. It is difficult for residents to customize their living space according to their personal needs, which to some extent limits the flexibility of using the house.

High Risk of Water Seepage: As cracks appear in the cement components, the gaps between the components increase, thereby increasing the risk of water seepage between floors. This not only affects the service life of the house but may also cause inconvenience to the residents' lives.

Short Service Life: The designed service life of prefabricated panel structure houses is about 30 to 50 years. Many prefabricated panel houses built in the 1970s to 1990s are approaching or have exceeded their intended service lives and are showing signs of aging. Their safety and suitability need to be evaluated more cautiously.