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In the modern wave of construction that seeks efficient, flexible, and sustainable living solutions, prefabricated homes are steadily gaining prominence. This construction model, where homes are precisely manufactured in controlled factory environments and then rapidly assembled on-site, not only significantly shortens the construction cycle but also attracts increasing attention due to its potential quality advantages and environmentally friendly characteristics. However, for many individuals interested in prefabricated homes, the materials that form their framework remain a crucial aspect requiring an in-depth understanding.
This article will guide you through prefab house materials, focusing on the steel structures we widely employ in our own prefabricated house products. We will explain the underlying principles, advantages, and various factors to consider in their practical application.
The material selection for prefabricated homes is not singular; rather, it varies based on design concepts, regional climate, budget considerations, and the preferences of the end-users. While we at PTH primarily offer steel-structured prefabricated homes, common prefab home materials besides steel also include:
Wood, as a time-honored building material, is still utilized in some prefabricated homes due to its natural aesthetics, good thermal insulation properties, and relatively low cost. Whether using dimensional lumber for frame construction or solid wood panels or engineered wood panels for prefabrication, wood imparts a warm and natural texture to the home. Of course, we must also acknowledge that wood has certain limitations in terms of fire resistance, moisture resistance, and resistance to pests, requiring proper treatment.
For users seeking robustness and durability, concrete prefabricated homes may be an ideal choice. This model typically involves prefabricating entire or partial home units in a factory, offering excellent strength, sound insulation, and fire resistance. Additionally, concrete is often used as the outer layer of structural insulated panels (SIPs) to provide extra protection and structural support. However, concrete components are heavier, leading to higher transportation costs and more demanding foundation requirements.
Structural insulated panels (SIPs) and insulated concrete forms (ICFs) are composite materials that have garnered significant attention in the prefabricated building sector in recent years. SIPs achieve excellent thermal insulation and structural integration by sandwiching a high-density foam insulation core between two structural boards. ICFs, on the other hand, utilize hollow insulating forms on-site for pouring concrete, creating energy-efficient walls. These composite materials excel at improving the energy efficiency and construction speed of homes.
In the preceding section, we presented other common materials such as wood and concrete, whose limitations are quite apparent. In comparison, steel structures are the undisputed protagonist, and this is based on a series of high-quality characteristics inherent to steel that make it the preferred material for prefabricated homes:
Steel is renowned for its high strength and excellent seismic performance. Whether it is structural steel or light-gauge steel, it can provide a robust and reliable framework for prefabricated homes, resisting various natural disasters. According to different design requirements, we select various models and specifications of steel, such as Q345 low-alloy steel, as well as galvanized steel widely used in light-gauge steel structures. All of these steel types undergo rigorous quality testing to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the homes.
Compared to other materials, steel possesses greater malleability, easily enabling the realization of various complex architectural shapes and innovative design concepts. Whether it's a modern minimalist style or more personalized customization needs, steel structures offer immense design freedom, satisfying the diverse aesthetic preferences of our customers.
If you desire a spacious and aesthetically pleasing cantilevered terrace on the second floor of the prefabricated villa to enjoy mountain views. If traditional wood structures were used to achieve such a large cantilevered terrace, it might require very complex supporting structures and appear visually cumbersome. By utilizing high-strength Q345 structural steel as the primary load-bearing component, precisely anchored to the main structure through careful design, the terrace's stability and safety were ensured. Light-gauge steel was used for railings and other decorative elements, offering design flexibility and lightness. The use of steel made it possible to achieve a large cantilevered terrace, overcoming the limitations of traditional materials and realizing the client's desire for scenic views and innovative modern architectural design.
To address the challenges posed by different regional environments, we subject our steel structural components to comprehensive anti-corrosion treatments, including hot-dip galvanizing and the application of anti-rust paint, effectively extending the service life of the homes and reducing subsequent maintenance costs. Corrosion resistance is a particularly crucial indicator for coastal or humid regions.
Steel is a fully recyclable material, which aligns perfectly with modern commitment to environmental protection. Throughout the entire lifecycle of a home, steel structures demonstrate excellent sustainability.
While steel structures offer numerous advantages, potential buyers might have concerns regarding living comfort in practical applications. We have also fully considered the following key factors to ensure the ultimate home quality and living comfort:
Importance of Anti-Corrosion Treatment: Although we have implemented various anti-corrosion measures, in certain special environments, such as areas with high humidity or high salinity, regular inspection and maintenance remain crucial to ensure the long-term safety of the steel structure.
Optimization of Thermal Insulation Performance: Steel itself has relatively high thermal conductivity. Therefore, the design of the thermal insulation system is paramount in steel-structured prefabricated homes. We typically employ high-performance insulation materials, such as polyurethane foam, combined with a rational structural design, to effectively enhance the energy efficiency of the home and reduce living costs. Based on the climatic characteristics of different regions, we adjust the thickness and material selection of the insulation layer to ensure indoor comfort.
Fire Safety Design: Steel loses strength at high temperatures, making fire safety design an indispensable aspect of steel-structured prefabricated homes. In accordance with building codes, we implement appropriate fire protection measures, such as applying fire-resistant coatings and encasing with fire-resistant boards, to improve the fire resistance rating of the structure and safeguard the lives and property of residents.
Consideration of Acoustic Performance: Compared to materials like concrete, steel structures may have slightly lower sound insulation performance. To enhance living comfort, we offer additional optional soundproofing measures, such as the use of double- or multi-layer glass, to create a quiet living environment.
Professional Transportation and Installation: Although the installation speed of steel-structured prefabricated homes is rapid, large or complex structures still require professional transportation equipment and installation teams to ensure the precision and safety of the installation.
With the continuous development of construction technology and the increasing demand for quality living, steel-structured prefabricated homes are ushering in broader prospects for development. Their efficient, environmentally friendly, and flexible characteristics allow them to demonstrate tremendous potential across various fields such as residential, commercial, and industrial construction.
As a factory specializing in steel-structured prefabricated homes, we consistently adhere to selecting high-quality steel and continuously explore and apply advanced technologies, dedicated to providing our customers with safe, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable steel-structured prefabricated home solutions. We believe that through our professional knowledge and unremitting efforts, steel-structured prefabricated homes will play an increasingly important role in the future of the construction industry.
