Insulation of Prefabricated Panel Houses

The insulation performance of prefabricated panel houses varies significantly depending on their type and design. Ordinary prefabricated panel houses generally have poor thermal insulation, but their performance can be significantly improved by selecting specific insulation materials or structures.

The insulation issues in ordinary prefabricated panel houses are quite prominent. The commonly used prefabricated floor slabs in rural self-built houses are about 12 centimeters thick. Due to material density and structural limitations, indoor temperatures are high in summer and low in winter, with rapid heat transfer. For example, in winter, when heating is used, heat is easily lost through the prefabricated panels, making it difficult to raise the temperature; in summer, when air conditioning is used for cooling, the cold air is also difficult to maintain for a long time, resulting in a substantial increase in energy consumption. These types of houses usually require the addition of an insulation layer (such as foam boards or extruded polystyrene boards) on the surface of the floor slabs or the installation of a suspended ceiling to compensate for the insulation defects of the original structure.

To meet insulation needs, the following materials and structures can effectively improve performance:

1. Insulation Panels: EPS insulation panels (expanded polystyrene foam boards), XPS insulation panels (extruded polystyrene boards), and rock wool panels are commonly used options. EPS and XPS panels have low thermal conductivity, reducing heat transfer, and are often used in roof insulation layers; rock wool panels have both fire-resistant and moisture-resistant properties, making them suitable for humid environments. These materials significantly reduce energy consumption for heating in winter and cooling in summer by blocking thermal bridges.
2. Steel-Framed Insulated Houses: These houses use square steel welding for the main frame, combined with polyurethane sandwich panels over 50mm thick. The closed-cell structure of polyurethane gives it extremely low thermal conductivity, enabling it to withstand temperatures as low as -30°C, making it suitable for cold regions. This type of structure combines strength and insulation performance through a composite design of a metal frame and an insulation layer.
3. Modular Assembled Panel Houses: These houses feature a standardized steel chassis paired with a fire-resistant rock wool interlayer, maintaining thermal resistance performance even at -25°C. The fibrous structure of rock wool effectively blocks air convection, reducing heat loss, and the construction speed is fast, making them suitable for both temporary and long-term living needs.
4. Rural Light Steel Villas: The walls and roofs of these villas adopt a multi-layer composite structure, filled with rock wool panels, glass wool panels, or aerogel composite fire-resistant blankets in the middle. The nanoporous structure of aerogel gives it extremely low thermal conductivity. Combined with standardized construction techniques and high-performance sealing strips, it further blocks thermal bridges and improves overall insulation performance.

In practical applications, the appropriate solution should be selected based on climatic conditions, budget, and construction difficulty. For example, in cold regions, polyurethane sandwich panels or aerogel composite materials can be prioritized; in mild regions, economic improvements can be achieved by adding EPS/XPS panels to the roof.