Prefabricated Panel Ready-Made Houses

Prefabricated panel ready-made houses are structures built primarily using prefabricated panels. They are characterized by low cost, easy installation, but weak earthquake resistance and poor sound and heat insulation. China has clear renovation policies for such houses.

Construction Characteristics

Prefabricated panels are cement components manufactured in factories. During production, a wooden model is first nailed together, then steel bars are arranged and cement is poured to form the panels, which come in solid and hollow types. The hollow structure achieves lightweighting by reducing the non-load-bearing concrete. This building form originated in the early 20th century and was mainly used for floor slabs and roof insulation layers. Many residential buildings constructed in China before 1985 adopted this structure.

Advantages

• Low Cost: The production process of prefabricated panel houses is relatively simple, and the material costs are also low, making them much cheaper than cast-in-place concrete slabs.
• Easy Installation: Prefabricated panels are made in advance in factories and can be directly installed on-site, saving time and labor costs.

Disadvantages

• Weak Earthquake Resistance: Due to their structural characteristics, prefabricated panel houses have relatively weak resistance during natural disasters such as earthquakes and are prone to damage.
• Poor Sound and Heat Insulation: The material and structure of prefabricated panels result in poor sound and heat insulation performance, affecting living comfort.
• Limited Service Life: The service life of existing prefabricated panel houses is approximately 30-50 years. Over time, various problems may arise in the houses.

Renovation Policies

Since 2022, China has implemented renovation policies focusing on repairing and renovating prefabricated panel houses, with only buildings meeting the criteria for dangerous houses being demolished. The '15th Five-Year Plan for Urban Renewal' issued by the State Council on May 22, 2026, specifies that urban Class C and D dangerous houses and non-complete houses should be registered and dynamically updated. Class D dangerous houses should be prioritized for demolition to eliminate hazards; Class C dangerous houses can be reinforced or supported for self-renewal or original-site reconstruction; Class A and B houses should mainly undergo comprehensive renovation of old residential areas, including exterior wall, pipeline, and road renovation, generally without involving demolition and expropriation.