Rural Self-Built Prefabricated Panel Houses

Rural self-built houses using prefabricated panel structures are characterized by rapid construction and low costs, but they have defects in waterproofing, earthquake resistance, thermal insulation, sound insulation, and lifespan. They are gradually being replaced by new technologies, yet they still have a certain demand in the global market.

Construction Features: Prefabricated panel houses primarily use prefabricated panels as their main components. These panels are factory-made cement elements available in solid and hollow types. In rural self-built houses, they are mostly used for roofs and were widely applied 20 years ago due to their low cost and fast construction, with hoisting possible in just a day or half a day.

Disadvantages:

• Waterproofing Issues: There is a high probability of rain leakage during waterproofing treatment, with 8 out of 10 houses experiencing such problems. This is mainly because gaps easily form at the joints of the prefabricated panels, making waterproofing difficult and long-term leakage prevention challenging.
• Poor Earthquake Resistance: They cannot be used in earthquake-prone areas due to their low earthquake resistance coefficient and susceptibility to collapse. Existing prefabricated panel houses generally have this problem. Their poor structural integrity makes them prone to damage under seismic action.
• Poor Thermal Insulation: They perform poorly in terms of heat insulation in summer and thermal retention in winter, often requiring secondary coverage with roofing materials for compensation. The material properties of the prefabricated panels result in poor thermal conductivity, making it difficult to effectively block heat exchange between indoors and outdoors.
• Poor Sound Insulation: The prefabricated panels, when placed on walls, are prone to cracking and water leakage at the joints, and they have poor sound insulation, with activities on the upper floor clearly audible. The gaps not only affect waterproofing but also serve as channels for sound transmission, reducing sound insulation effectiveness.
• Limited Lifespan: The lifespan of prefabricated panels is about 30 years, and the lifespan of existing prefabricated panel houses is about 30-50 years. Over time, the prefabricated panels will experience aging and damage due to natural environmental factors.

Current Situation and Development: With the development of construction technology, cast-in-place concrete and prefabricated buildings are gradually replacing traditional prefabricated panel houses. Prefabricated buildings use modular factory-prefabricated components, such as CMC combined modular buildings, to enhance earthquake resistance and reduce construction periods by 30%. Since 2022, China has implemented a policy of renovating old buildings, focusing on repairing and renovating prefabricated panel houses and only demolishing dangerous ones. However, from January to April 2026, there was a significant increase in the export of portable houses by enterprises in the Guangzhou Customs area and at Shenzhen ports, indicating a certain demand for prefabricated houses in the global market.