Rural House Roof Renovation with Prefabricated Panels

There are advantages and disadvantages to using prefabricated panels for rural house roof renovations, and different safety levels of houses require different handling methods.

Advantages of Prefabricated Panel Roofs

In rural self-built houses, prefabricated panel roofs were once relatively common, primarily due to their low cost and fast construction speed. They can be hoisted and installed in just one day or half a day, making them a practical choice for rural areas seeking quick house construction with limited budgets.

Disadvantages of Prefabricated Panel Roofs

• Waterproofing Issues: There is a relatively high probability of rain leakage during waterproofing. In rural areas where prefabricated panels are used as roofs, 8 out of 10 households experience rain leakage. The waterproofing industry cannot guarantee 100% leak-proofing. This is mainly because gaps easily form at the joints between prefabricated panels, allowing rainwater to seep into the house and causing inconvenience to occupants.
• Poor Thermal Insulation: Prefabricated panels are generally about 12 centimeters thick. Although they are hollow, they still have poor thermal insulation. The indoor temperature is high in summer and low in winter. To improve this situation, secondary roofing materials usually need to be added on top of the floor panels, which undoubtedly increases the cost of renovation and the complexity of construction.
• Low Earthquake Resistance: Prefabricated panels should not be used in earthquake-prone areas due to their low seismic resistance coefficient, which can easily lead to collapse. During an earthquake, the connections between prefabricated panels are not strong enough, making them prone to breakage and displacement, which can cause severe damage to the house structure and threaten the lives of occupants.

Handling Methods for Houses with Different Safety Levels

• Houses identified as Class A or B with no major issues in the main structure can undergo renovations in old residential areas, such as repairing roof leaks and replacing aging pipes.
• Houses identified as Class C dilapidated buildings but still having repair potential should enter the repair and reinforcement path, which includes strengthening walls, beams, columns, floor panels, and foundations, as well as improving earthquake resistance.