Parapet walls currently are pivotal element of building design, its construction and architecture as they serve various purposes including safety, roofing, drainage and more importantly building aesthetics.
This article is meant to take a look at various types of parapet walls and their uses, together with construction materials, designs and functionality that project them significant in modern buildings.
Parapet walls are small projected walls constructed along the edge of roofs, balconies, bridges, walkways, terraces or even on roads in high altitudes especially in hilly areas. Prime function of parapet walls is to offer a safeguard or protection to avert falling from rooftops or of vehicles from bridges/hilly roadways. Parapet wall also offers hiding the essentials from the sight of outsiders.
In earliest times it was merely an element of a building meant for safeguard purposes, therefore often considered unworthy (in contrast to other elements of building) in terms of mending its design or appearance to make it more sophisticated or presentable.
However modern building designs take the parapet walls as to upgrade the aesthetics of structure as well as decorating the elevation of building apart from its use for safety purposes.
Historically parapet walls were used to safeguard the forts from invaders as they were used by soldiers as a shield having openings for shooting their arrows on invading forces. In general, such a barrier on forts or castles is called rampart which is the broad bank of earth built as fortification usually topped with parapet wide enough for troops to walk on. Parapet walls were provided on such ramparts.
Combining all uses, the parapet walls serves multiple purposes ranging from safety and protection to aesthetic and appearance, dust and water deterrent, and in some manner to averting high wind loads.
In medieval times parapet walls are built from mud, bricks, and stones, however with the passage of time several innovations in terms of materials for building parapet walls are introduced. Currently numerous materials are adopted for building parapet walls such as wood, steel, aluminum, glass, fiber-glass in addition to bricks, blocks and stones etc.
- Types of Parapet Walls
The purpose of parapet walls either be safety or may it be uplifting structural aesthetics, in both manners they are categorized and named in terms of their appearance as follows
- Embattled Parapet Walls ( Essential in former times)
- Plain Parapet Walls
- Paneled/Grooved Parapet Walls
- Perforated Parapet Walls
- Sloped Parapet Walls
- Flat Parapet Walls
- Angular Parapet Walls
- Curved Parapet Walls
- Stepped Parapet Walls
- Steel & Wooden Railing Parapet Walls
- Semi perforated Parapet Walls
- Embattled Parapet Walls
As evident from name the embattled parapet walls were opted in former times for ensuring the security of castles and forts from invading army. Such parapet walls according to their purpose of serving as shield as well as a safe position of defensive offence were built in a manner that they comprised multiple alternative heights segregated in sections and included perforations or openings for shooting arrows to curb the attackers.
Although the primary use of such parapet walls was in former times however in modern times such type of parapet walls are liked by the most for uplifting the building classic aesthetics and uniqueness.
- Plain Parapet Walls
- Paneled/Grooved Parapet Walls
If the plain parapet walls are added with panels or grooves design on outer side in order to develop a robust appearance, such walls are called paneled or grooved parapet walls.
Paneling or grooving may be of any desirable shape. They are mostly preferred in modern times for their outstanding appearance and easy construction.
- Perforated Parapet Walls
Perforated parapet walls contains openings of different patterns and sizes. The use of such walls were also adopted in former times especially in projected walls in balconies and terraces of palaces with the addition of certain flowery shaped patterns of perforation or openings developing classic splendid appearance. However in modern times certain new patterns of perforations are adopted that adds to the outstanding aesthetic appearance and ambience of building structure.
- Sloped Parapet Walls
Sloped parapet walls are mainly adopted or seen in industrial buildings and where the truss structure is applied in building. They are constructed according to the sloping and slanting base of structure. The main purpose of adopting sloped parapet walls is to enhance the aesthetics and ambience of the building structure.
- Flat Parapet Walls
Ordinarily the flat roofs always contains flat parapet walls. It is the most common type of parapet wall, easy to construct and maintained. It enhances the simplistic aesthetics and appearances of building structure.
- Angular Parapet Walls
- Curved Parapet Walls
- Stepped Parapet Walls
Stepped parapet walls are built on sloping roofs and are built in a manner of stair-case design dropping down as a tread/riser.
- Steel & Wooden Railing Parapet Walls
In addition to brick/stone/block masonry, steel and wooden railings are adopted in modern building design for constructing the parapet wall for increasing the delicacy and finest outlook appearance of building structure or elevation.
- Semi Perforated Parapet Walls
These are the combination of perforated and glass/steel fixtures for upgrading and coping the modern day building style catering the overall purpose of parapet walls in terms of safety as well as aesthetics of building design. In addition steel and glass combination parapet walls have also a significant impact of appearance in decorative terms.
Keeping in view the current trends, in recent times many other new inclusions have been witnessed in construction of parapet walls with more sophisticated materials like fiber-glass which suffice the prime purpose of protection to wide range of merits like its being economical, aesthetically preferred, and attaining splendid appearance as well.
- Uses of Parapet Walls
- Historical importance: used as shield against invaders, having great historical importance and even incorporated in modern day building designs for classic appearance.
- Safety: serves a vital purpose acting as a stable protection against fall or untoward accidents on roofs, balconies etc
- Roofing: act as secure edge of roof averting entrance of water, dust and debris in building.
- Drainage: help channelize proper water flows and drainage averting risks of water damage to structure.
- Aesthetics: add certain outstanding and appealing features to building design impact overall appearance positively.
- Construction Materials and Design
In medieval times parapet walls are built from mud, bricks, and stones, however with the passage of time several innovations in terms of materials for building parapet walls are introduced. Currently numerous materials are adopted for building parapet walls such as wood, steel, aluminum, glass, fiber-glass in addition to bricks, blocks and stones etc.
From design perspective parapet walls can be personalized to make it compatible with building's style and aesthetics opting various shapes, sizes and patterns. They can be of any type offering outstanding and appealing features.
Thus in modern times parapet walls have gained importance as a useful element of building design and diverse options in this respect are already in place to make building outlooks better along with seeking its prime purpose of safety. Be it modern commercial building or historical fort, parapet walls hold the vitality as an essential element.
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