Parapet
Contents |
[edit] What is a parapet?
A parapet is typically the uppermost reaches of a wall that extends above the roof level and provides a degree of protection to roof, gutters, balconies and walkways of houses, churches, castles, apartment blocks, commercial and other buildings. It may be constructed from brick, stone, concrete, timber or even glass. A parapet may also prevent fire spreading to a roof and provide a degree of protection from a sudden and potentially fatal fall.
On a pitched roof, a parapet may only exist where a wall rises above the eaves, which is generally the lowest point of the roof as it terminates above a gutter; this point forms a convenient valley into which a gutter can be placed.
The top of a parapet will usually be terminated by some form of capping or coping in brick, stone, or concrete, or even sheet metal, such as lead, zinc or steel.
Cappings are usually flush with the sides of the wall while copings extend from the face. Tradiitonally, copings would extend by around 50mm or more on either side of the wall to provide weather protection to the area below; they would also be throated (ie incorporate a continuous semi-circular recess called a 'drip') to convey water away from the wall to reduce the risk of damp penetration.
[edit] Problems with brick parapets
Two of the most common problems encounteerd with brick parapets are bowing, where the parapet develops an unsightly lean to one side, usually the roof side; and cracking of the brickwork. If either of these becomes excessive, rebuilding the parapet may be necessary.
The reasons for such problems can be complex but they usually involve:
One side of the parapet getting more sunshine (heat) and rain (and therefore more saturation) than the other side. This may cause a degree of differential movement which will be exacerbated as, unlike the brickwork at the lower reaches which is constrained by the weight of the brickwork above, the brickwork in a parapet has far less constraint and therefore can move more freely. Differential weathering mechanisms will be heightened when one side of the parapet faces north and the other faces south.
Cracking of the brickwork in a parapet may be the result of insufficient movement joint provision to absorb any expansion. Movement joints in parapets (and freestanding walls) should be more generous than those in a structure's walls because the lack of restraint in the parapet can amplify the effects of movement.
NB High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Environmental Statement, Glossary, abbreviations and references, published by the Department for Transport in 2022, defines a parapet as: ‘A low wall along the edge of a structure (e.g. a bridge), to protect people from falling.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Aircrete blocks.
- Bartizan.
- Blockwork.
- Cavity tray.
- Cavity wall.
- Damp-proof course.
- Defects in brickwork
- Efflorescence.
- Mortar.
- Perpend.
- Pointing.
- Rainwater head.
- Spalling.
- Treating brickwork with sealant or water repellent.
- Types of bricks.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Insights of how to attract more young people to construction
Results from CIOB survey of 16-24 year olds and parents.
Focussing on the practical implementation of electrification.
Sustainable Urban Drainage and Biodiversity
Awards for champions of these interconnected fields now open.
Microcosm of biodiversity in balconies and containers
Minor design adaptations for considerable biodiversity benefit.
CIOB student competitive construction challenge Ireland
Inspiring a new wave of Irish construction professionals.
Challenges of the net zero transition in Scotland
Skills shortage and ageing workforce hampering Scottish transition to net zero.
Private rental sector, living standards and fuel poverty
Report from the NRH in partnership with Impact on Urban Health.
.Cold chain condensing units market update
Tracking the evolution of commercial refrigeration unit markets.
Attending a conservation training course, personal account
The benefits of further learning for professsionals.
Restoring Alexander Pope's grotto
The only surviving part of his villa in Twickenham.
International Women's Day 8 March, 2025
Accelerating Action for For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
Lack of construction careers advice threatens housing targets
CIOB warning on Government plans to accelerate housebuilding and development.
Shelter from the storm in Ukraine
Ukraine’s architects paving the path to recovery.
BSRIA market intelligence division key appointment
Lisa Wiltshire to lead rapidly growing Market Intelligence division.
A blueprint for construction’s sustainability efforts
Practical steps to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Timber in Construction Roadmap
Ambitious plans from the Government to increase the use of timber in construction.
ECA digital series unveils road to net-zero.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework N9 launched
Aligned with LHCPG social value strategy and the Gold Standard.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.