How is the Quality of Prefabricated Panel Houses?

The overall quality of prefabricated panel houses is relatively poor, with multiple issues as follows:

Poor Earthquake Resistance

Prefabricated panel houses have poor integrity, with weak connections between panels and walls, as well as between panels themselves. There is rarely a firm steel bar connection, similar to building a house with building blocks. When subjected to horizontal forces such as earthquakes, the floor slabs and walls separate instantly and collapse suddenly, without any crack warnings or deformation buffers, resulting in severe collapses and high casualty rates during earthquakes.

Vulnerable Connection Points

There is only simple overlapping between the prefabricated panels and walls, and simple filling between panels, without ring beams or structural columns, leaving the entire house without a rigid framework. When the foundation settles or the walls crack, the panels will shift and loosen. Over time, the connection points weather and the steel bars rust, reducing strength. After living in an old house for two or three decades, the floor slabs may become precarious and unable to withstand the test of time and accidents.

Substandard Materials

The steel bars in regular prefabricated panels are thin, and small workshops may use thin steel wires instead of steel bars. The concrete grade does not meet standards and the thickness is insufficient, making it look like a cement panel but actually cracking easily when struck. Moreover, it has the characteristic of brittle failure, breaking instantly without any warning when exceeding its load-bearing capacity. Daily activities such as stacking heavy objects, knocking on the floor during renovations, and aging over time can all lead to sudden collapses.

Poor Sound Insulation and Thermal Insulation

Prefabricated panel houses perform poorly in terms of thermal and sound insulation, being hot in summer and cold in winter, and allowing clear hearing of neighbors' voices, affecting the quality of life.

Difficult to Adjust Internal Structure

Unlike modern commercial housing, prefabricated panel houses almost do not allow large-scale modifications. Every wall may be related to the overall structure, making it difficult for residents to customize their living space according to personal needs.

High Risk of Water Seepage

Over time, cracks appear in the cement components, and the gaps between components increase, raising the risk of water seepage between floors.

Short Service Life

The designed service life of prefabricated panel houses is about 30 to 50 years, with most built between the 1970s and 1990s. Many have approached or exceeded their intended service life and show signs of aging. However, the claim that 'prefabricated panel buildings will collapse after 30 years' is a misconception. The safety of a house depends on its construction quality and maintenance, not just the calendar year. However,后天 factors such as knocking on load-bearing walls and ignoring long-term water leakage can lead to problems in the house.