Is Steel Structure Prefabricated House Good or Not?

Steel structure prefabricated houses are a relatively good form of housing, with many advantages but also some drawbacks.

Advantages

• High construction efficiency and short construction period: Steel structure prefabricated houses adopt the method of factory-prefabricated components and on-site assembly, making construction convenient and able to shorten the traditional construction cycle by 30%-50%. In mountainous areas with complex geological conditions, self-built house owners can complete the construction within 3-6 months, and the construction time for houses of the same area is shortened by one-third or even more compared to brick-and-mortar structures.
• Good seismic performance: China has strict seismic requirements for residential buildings. Steel structures absorb seismic energy through flexible deformation, have good overall rigidity, and are not prone to overall collapse. In areas with a seismic fortification intensity of 8 degrees, the seismic resistance level of steel structure residential buildings can reach above grade 9, far exceeding that of brick-and-mortar structures. Steel has good ductility and can buffer energy through its own deformation during earthquakes, buying time for personnel evacuation.
• Environmental protection and energy conservation: Traditional buildings generate a large amount of construction waste, while the recyclability rate of steel structure materials is as high as over 90%, which is in line with the concept of green buildings. Standardized production of components reduces on-site pollution, and the thin thickness of the enclosure structure can increase the indoor usable area by 5%-10%. In terms of thermal insulation, by filling with rock wool or polystyrene boards, it can achieve thermal performance comparable to that of brick-and-mortar structures, perform even better in cold regions, and also reduce energy consumption and lower living costs.
• High space utilization and flexible layout: The internal load-bearing of steel structures mainly relies on steel beams and columns, and the walls are mostly non-load-bearing lightweight partitions. The indoor space can be freely changed according to needs without being restricted by load-bearing walls, meeting the changing living needs at different stages.
• Recyclable materials: It is in line with the development direction of building industrialization and green construction.

Disadvantages

• Poor fire resistance: When exposed to high temperatures (above 500°C), the strength of steel drops sharply, which can easily lead to structural instability. Therefore, additional fireproof coatings, fire partitions, and other facilities must be equipped, increasing expenses.
• High construction cost: The initial material cost is much higher than that of brick-and-mortar structures. Construction requires professional technical teams and equipment, and labor costs are also relatively high.
• High post-maintenance cost: Steel structures are prone to rust and corrosion when exposed to the natural environment for a long time, requiring regular anti-corrosion maintenance, such as painting anti-rust paint. The bolts and other connectors at the connection parts of steel structures also need to be frequently checked and tightened to prevent loosening, which is a cumbersome task requiring professional knowledge.