Are There Significant Drawbacks to Prefabricated House Finished Products?

Prefabricated house finished products have certain drawbacks, as detailed below:

Insufficient Seismic Resistance: Prefabricated houses primarily rely on cement for construction. Although a certain amount of steel reinforcement is added, their overall seismic resistance cannot compare to that of modern buildings. Prefabricated panels are assembled through splicing and lack the toughness of cast-in-place reinforced concrete. Moreover, many prefabricated panels adopt a hollow design, with a steel reinforcement density much lower than that of cast-in-place structures. In the event of earthquakes or strong winds, their seismic resistance is poor, potentially leading to collapse or severe cracks. Minor tremors or “frequent” small earthquakes can cause structural fatigue, with micro-cracks gradually expanding and making the structure extremely fragile. When facing natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, safety precautions are significantly inadequate.

Poor Sound Insulation and Thermal Insulation: Prefabricated houses perform poorly in terms of thermal and sound insulation. In summer, the interior becomes as stuffy as a “steamer,” with temperatures soaring to forty or fifty degrees Celsius, making it difficult to cool down even with the air conditioning set to maximum. In winter, the cold is piercing, and heating struggles to raise the temperature. The high electricity consumption from air conditioning in summer leads to astonishing energy consumption over the long term, increasing electricity and energy waste costs. At the same time, the sound insulation is extremely poor, with even the slightest noise at night being heard “crystal clear,” seriously affecting sleep quality.

Difficulty in Adjusting Internal Structure: Unlike modern commercial housing, prefabricated houses allow almost no 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, lacking flexibility.

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. Cracks weaken the overall strength of the walls, and over time, the structure becomes unstable, significantly increasing the likelihood of collapse. Moreover, the damp environment caused by water leakage easily breeds mold and bacteria, posing health risks to occupants.

Short Service Life: The designed service life of prefabricated houses is approximately 30 to 50 years. Most were constructed between the 1970s and 1990s, and many are now approaching or have exceeded their intended service life, showing signs of aging such as steel reinforcement corrosion and concrete carbonation.