Having played a significant role in architecture over the centuries, parapet walls were once an essential feature on many buildings, as people tried desperately to protect themselves from the enemy. Made from a variety of different materials and forming a defensive layer of additional protection, parapet walls and parapet roofs were included in the construction plans of some of the world’s most well known historical forts and castles, and yet they are still being used by architects today.
How do today’s parapet walls function?
Parapets are, in the simplest of terms, an extension of a wall at a roof’s edge, designed to create a sturdy barrier; but they aren’t just reserved for roofs. In fact, parapet walls can be used for balconies, walkways, terraces and much more, and while their origins were largely defensive (protecting against ground attacks from the military), they are no longer built with this in mind.
Is there still a modern use for parapet walls?
Nowadays, parapet walls are used to form a guard against fire, and can help prevent flames from spreading rapidly throughout buildings; as such, they are sometimes referred to as fire walls.
Extending above the current roof system, parapet walls must be as resistant to fire as the lower portion of the wall; a common requirement of many building codes, and something you should be aware of if you’re planning to construct a commercial building.
With many different styles of parapet wall to choose from, some are used purely for ornamental and aesthetic purposes (with their ability to stop a fire from spreading, an added bonus), while taller designs are used as a protective barrier against the risk of falling. In terms of decorative parapet walls, these are sometimes pierced using trefoil or circle designs, which could well have been advantageous during times of battle, but now offer nothing more than aesthetic appeal.
As mentioned, taller parapet walls can be added to a roof as a safety measure, but the height will need to be significant enough for this to be truly effective. While a smaller parapet wall may serve to remind people that they are approaching the roof’s edge, it offers little in the way of protection. If you’re constructing some form of building in which the roof will be accessible to anyone, a tall parapet can give you the peace of mind when it comes to the risk of someone falling over the roof’s edge.
Lastly, parapet walls can also be used to protect a roof from the upward force of wind, which can be incredibly destructive in the event of a storm, and cause entire roofs to be destroyed, or at the very least, cause significant damage.
There is absolutely a place in today’s modern building design for parapet walls, and if you’re considering having one constructed at your home or business, make sure you hire a construction company who have ample experience in doing so. Less experienced companies who fail to put proper water management systems in place, could put the entire structure of your roof and home at risk of collapse.