What is the Wall Thickness of Prefabricated Houses?

The thickness of cement prefabricated panel walls in prefabricated houses generally ranges from 120 mm to 150 mm. The following provides an introduction from the perspectives of wall definition, thickness range, application history, and existing issues:

Definition of Cement Prefabricated Panel Walls
Cement prefabricated panel walls are a common type of wall in prefabricated houses. They are produced in a standardized manner in factories and then transported to construction sites for assembly. Their core material is cement, and they may contain steel reinforcement skeletons inside to enhance structural strength, representing a typical example of early industrialized building technology.

Thickness Range and Basis
According to building industry standards and actual engineering cases, the thickness of cement prefabricated panel walls is usually controlled within the range of 120 mm to 150 mm. This range is based on the following considerations:

• Structural Stability: Walls that are too thin (e.g., less than 120 mm) are difficult to meet load-bearing requirements, especially in multi-story buildings where there is a risk of deformation.
• Material Economy: Walls that are too thick (e.g., exceeding 150 mm) increase material costs and transportation difficulties, with limited improvement in thermal insulation performance.
• Construction Adaptability: A thickness of 120-150 mm matches the thickness of common door and window frames and decorative layers, facilitating overall construction coordination.

Application History and Limitations
Cement prefabricated panel walls were once widely used in brick-and-mortar buildings, playing an important role in the industrialization process, especially in the mid-to-late 20th century. However, their drawbacks have gradually become apparent:

• Poor Thermal Insulation Performance: The high thermal conductivity of cement materials leads to rapid heat exchange between indoors and outdoors, requiring additional insulation layers.
• Insufficient Structural Stability: Connection joints between prefabricated panels are prone to cracks due to temperature changes or foundation settlement, affecting overall safety.
• Weak Load-Bearing Capacity: Compared to cast-in-place concrete walls, their seismic performance and load-bearing capacity are inferior, making it difficult to meet the needs of high-rise buildings.

Current Standards and Alternative Solutions
In view of the above issues, current building codes have imposed restrictions on the use of cement prefabricated panel walls, allowing them only in low-rise temporary buildings or non-load-bearing structures. Modern prefabricated houses more commonly adopt light steel frame walls or composite insulation panels, which significantly improve energy efficiency and durability while ensuring strength by integrating insulation materials, airtight layers, and structural skeletons. For example, light steel walls can be compressed to a thickness of less than 100 mm, but achieve efficient thermal insulation by adding rock wool or polystyrene boards, becoming the current mainstream solution.