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
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
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.