The Impact of Prefabricated Panels on Houses

The impact of prefabricated panels on houses is primarily reflected in aspects such as thermal insulation, sound insulation, earthquake resistance, structural adjustment, water leakage risk, service life, and living comfort.

1. Poor Thermal Insulation and Sound Insulation
   Prefabricated panel houses have weak thermal insulation performance. In winter, indoor heat is easily lost, making it difficult to maintain warmth even with heating equipment. In summer, poor ventilation leads to a pronounced stuffy feeling. Their sound insulation is also inadequate, with daily noises from neighbors (such as conversations and TV sounds) easily penetrating the walls and affecting living privacy.

2. Insufficient Earthquake Resistance
   Prefabricated panel structures mainly rely on cement and a small amount of steel reinforcement for connection, resulting in weak overall integrity. Compared to modern buildings, their earthquake resistance is significantly reduced. In the event of disasters such as earthquakes or floods, houses are prone to collapse due to loosening at connections or damage to components, posing a high safety risk.

3. Difficulty in Adjusting Internal Structure
   The walls of prefabricated panel houses are mostly load-bearing structures. Large-scale modifications (such as removing non-load-bearing walls) may compromise overall stability. Residents find it difficult to adjust the spatial layout according to their needs, with flexibility far lower than that of modern frame-structured houses.

4. Risk of Water Leakage
   As the service life increases, cement components between prefabricated panels are prone to developing cracks. When these gaps widen, they may lead to leakage of rainwater or domestic water to the floor below, causing disputes between neighbors. Long-term water leakage also accelerates wall aging, further threatening structural safety.

5. Short Service Life
   The design life of prefabricated panel houses is typically 30-50 years. Most were built in the 1970s-1980s and are now approaching or exceeding their service life. Aging phenomena are common, such as peeling wall surfaces and wall cracks. Some houses even face the risk of collapse and require timely reinforcement or renovation.

6. Low Living Comfort
   Prefabricated panel houses often adopt standardized designs, resulting in monotonous appearances and cramped internal spaces. The floor plans frequently lack human-centered considerations. For example, kitchens and bathrooms without windows lead to poor ventilation, with油烟 (cooking fumes) and humidity accumulating. Living rooms are small and rely on bedroom lighting, resulting in an overall poor living experience.