Prefabricated Panels for Self-Built Houses
It is not recommended to use prefabricated panels for self-built houses as they have many issues, and although they have certain advantages, these are not enough to offset their drawbacks.
From the perspective of structural safety, prefabricated panels are only supported on both sides by walls. Even if a ring beam is poured, their overall integrity is far inferior to that of cast-in-place slabs. Cast-in-place slabs are poured together with the ring beam, with steel bars directly anchored in the ring beam, forming a unified structural system. In contrast, the prefabricated panels are independent of each other, with significant gaps between them. Under external forces such as earthquakes, the panels are prone to relative displacement, leading to damage to the house structure and even collapse, posing a lower level of safety.
In terms of durability, the lifespan of prefabricated panels is relatively short, approximately 30 to 50 years, and they are prone to cracking and water leakage after about ten years of use. This is mainly because during the manufacturing process of prefabricated panels, wooden models are nailed together, steel bars are arranged, and cement is poured to form the panels. There may be some inhomogeneity in their internal structure and quality. Over time, influenced by environmental factors and loads, various problems are likely to arise.
The sound insulation and thermal insulation effects of prefabricated panels are also poor. Due to the gaps between the panels, sound and heat can easily propagate through these gaps, resulting in clear sound transmission from upstairs activities to downstairs. In summer and winter, the indoor temperature is easily affected by the external environment, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature.
However, prefabricated panels also have their advantages. They are relatively inexpensive, which is attractive to some home builders with limited budgets. Moreover, the construction speed is fast, with one floor being built in just three days, which can significantly shorten the construction period and save time and labor costs. In terms of common sizes of prefabricated panels, the length ranges from 3 meters to 4.2 meters, with an increment of 30 centimeters for each size. Transportation becomes difficult for lengths exceeding 4.2 meters. The width options are 50 centimeters and 60 centimeters. For ordinary rooms, a thickness of 12 centimeters is sufficient, while for second-floor rooms or rooms that will bear heavy loads, a minimum thickness of 15 centimeters is required. When using them, be careful not to buy overly thin panels to save money, and do not trust merchants who claim to be able to customize lengths at will, as panels exceeding 4.2 meters pose a high transportation risk.
