Town Prefabricated House Renovation

The renovation of prefabricated houses in towns requires formulating plans based on the safety level of the houses and actual needs. Currently, there is no unified template, but the following key steps and principles can be referred to:

1. Clarify the Safety Level of the House and Determine the Renovation Basis

Before renovating a prefabricated house, a professional safety appraisal must be carried out, and the house is classified into levels A-D according to the "Standards for the Appraisal of Dangerous Houses":

• Level A/B: The structure is basically safe, and local functional optimizations (such as space reorganization and pipeline updates) can be carried out;
• Level C: The load-bearing capacity of local load-bearing structures is insufficient, and targeted reinforcement (such as adding steel supports and strengthening walls) is required;
• Level D: The overall structure is dangerous, and demolition and reconstruction are mandatory. Direct renovation is prohibited. For example: If the house is a Level C dangerous house, priority should be given to repairing cracks and reinforcing beams and columns before considering interior decoration; if it is a Level D house, personnel should be evacuated and reconstruction should be carried out according to the plan.

2. Functional Optimization and Space Reorganization

On the premise of safety, the layout can be adjusted according to usage needs:

• Demolish non-load-bearing walls: Expand the area of the living room or kitchen to improve space permeability (the nature of the wall needs to be confirmed);
• Add partitions: Use glass or lightweight panels to divide functional areas, taking into account both lighting and privacy;
• Utilize vertical space: Install lofts or storage racks to increase storage and activity space (the load-bearing capacity of the floor needs to be evaluated). Case reference: A prefabricated house in a certain town created an open kitchen and dining space by demolishing the partition wall between the kitchen and the dining room, improving usage efficiency by 40%.

3. Structural Reinforcement and Performance Improvement

For old prefabricated houses, structural stability needs to be strengthened:

• Foundation reinforcement: For houses with foundation settlement, grouting reinforcement or adding ground beams can be adopted;
• Reinforcement of connection joints: Use high-strength bolts or welding to reinforce the joints of prefabricated components to prevent loosening;
• Seismic upgrade: Add shear walls or dampers to meet local seismic fortification requirements (key reinforcement is required in areas with a seismic fortification intensity of 8 degrees). Data support: After reinforcement, the seismic capacity of prefabricated houses can be increased by 30%-50%, and the service life can be extended by more than 20 years.

4. Pipeline and Equipment Updates

Old houses often have problems with aging pipelines and need to be renovated simultaneously:

• Electrical system: Replace aluminum wires with copper wires, add leakage protection devices, and control high-power electrical appliances through separate circuits;
• Water supply and drainage system: Replace cast iron pipes with PPR pipes, optimize the drainage slope, and prevent leakage;
• HVAC system: Install fresh air or air-conditioning equipment to improve ventilation and temperature and humidity control. Note: Pipeline renovation needs to be coordinated with structural reinforcement to avoid damaging load-bearing components.

5. Appearance and Energy-Saving Renovation

Improve the aesthetics and energy efficiency of the house:

• Facade update: Use materials such as real stone paint and metal panels to unify the color and style;
• Window and door upgrades: Replace them with broken bridge aluminum windows and doors, paired with Low-E glass, to reduce energy consumption by more than 30%;
• Roof renovation: Add insulation layers or solar panels to achieve warmth in winter and coolness in summer and the utilization of clean energy. Policy tip: Some regions provide subsidies for energy-saving renovations. You can consult the local housing and construction department.