Prefabricated House Learning
Learning about prefabricated houses can start from aspects such as basic concepts, development history, construction processes, advantages and misconceptions, as well as industry trends.
Basic Concepts and Types: Prefabricated houses, also known as prefabricated modular buildings, are constructed by industrially producing building components and assembling them on-site. The main types include panel, box, and frame modular systems, covering prefabricated concrete structures and steel structures, with components such as beams, slabs, walls, and columns. Light steel-structured prefabricated houses are suitable for self-built houses up to two stories in rural areas; concrete PC prefabricated modules can be used for high-rise buildings and resettlement housing; container folding prefabricated houses are mostly used for homestays and temporary construction sites, but cannot be registered for homestead real estate certificates.
Development History: China's prefabricated concrete technology began in the 1950s and was initially used for factory and residential construction. In the 1970s, driven by the policy of 'industrialization, standardization, and mechanization' in construction, technical systems such as large panel structures emerged. By the mid-1980s, development stalled due to cost and quality issues, but it has since revived in the 21st century due to production efficiency and environmental advantages. After World War II, Japan and Europe widely promoted prefabricated houses to resettle refugees, with over 70% of residential buildings in Singapore being prefabricated modular houses. China began pilot promotions in the 1990s and has received strong government support in recent years.
Construction Process: Preconditions include clarifying the purpose and budget of the house, assessing geological conditions at the site, and completing legal procedures. Design and planning involve using free design software to visualize ideas and reasonably plan spaces. Material and component preparation entails purchasing according to the type of house, which can be done through B2B platforms. Assembly and construction start with foundation treatment for light steel villas, while container houses demonstrate modular box lifting, positioning, and interlocking connections.
Advantages and Misconceptions: Advantages include fast construction periods, good sound insulation and thermal insulation performance, low total lifecycle costs, and a reduction in construction time by over 60%. A common misconception is that prefabricated houses are not sturdy and have short lifespans. In reality, properly designed concrete prefabricated houses have a lifespan of 70-90 years, while light steel prefabricated houses can last over 80 years with proper construction.
Industry Trends and Cases: China's prefabricated houses are selling well overseas, with Guangzhou Customs reporting exports of prefabricated houses worth 1.4 billion yuan in the first four months of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 38.1%. In Papua New Guinea, a Chinese modular building quickly assembled a fully functional hotel, winning praise from overseas customers.
