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What is a Parapet?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A parapet is a barrier at the edge of a roof or balcony which is designed to provide protection to the structure and to people behind the parapet. The term "parapet" was also used in trench warfare, to describe the fortifications at the top of a trench designed to protect occupants from enemy fire and to provide cover for assaults on the enemy. Parapets are a feature of design in many cultures, and some very fine examples can be seen around the world, serving decorative, defensive, and safety functions.

Classically, a parapet is made from masonry. It may be an extension of an underlying wall, or a separate construction, depending on the design. Parapets are usually high enough that they can prevent someone from falling, and some may be so tall that people are entirely concealed behind them. High parapets are a hallmark of defensive architecture, providing cover to defenders situated on roofs and balconies. Lower parapets are more ornamental and safety oriented.

Parapets are meant to offer protection to people and structures.
Parapets are meant to offer protection to people and structures.

In the case of a plain parapet, the parapet is solid. Perforated and embattled versions are pierced. The openings created could be used historically by defensive forces to attack the enemy without exposing themselves to risk; arrows could be fired through the holes, for example. Today, pierced parapets serve a more decorative function, looking more visually interesting than solid plain designs.

Parapets sometimes serve decorative functions.
Parapets sometimes serve decorative functions.

Beyond defense, parapets can also be useful for building safety. They keep people from falling, and they can limit the spread of a fire. Some fire walls extend up over the edge of the roof in the form of parapets, limiting the spread of fire from roof to roof. Parapets are also used ornamentally, to conceal the specifics of a roof if an architect feels that a roof is not visually interesting or does not fit well with the aesthetics of the rest of a structure.

The fortifications at the top of a trench are sometimes called parapets.
The fortifications at the top of a trench are sometimes called parapets.

Many architects take advantage of their parapets to add some decorative flair to their buildings. The exterior can be decorated with carvings and other designs, and the top of the parapet can be made interesting by changes in level which create a pattern. With pierced parapets, openings of various shapes and sizes can be created to add visual interest to the appearance of the parapet, or to provide cutaway glimpses of the structure behind the parapet. More stylized versions can look more like railings than parapets, with a very minimalist design.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

KoiwiGal

Parapet can also refer to the fencing they might construct along a bridge. I remember when I was visiting Sydney, they had a massive metal parapet all along the bridge, which really spoiled the view. I wasn't sure what the point of it was at first, but then I realized it was to stop people from jumping off the bridge.

I wonder if it is actually effective at all. I tend to think if someone wants to do that kind of thing, a fence around a single bridge won't stop them.

But maybe it has deterred some people. Or maybe they just don't want those people falling into that particular part of the harbor!

Mor

I always thought of a parapet as simply being the square blocks that surround the tops of towers in the classic image of a castle. I knew they were like that because it provided soldiers with some cover while they fought, but they would still be able to take advantage of their height to see the advancing enemy.

But when I was showing a friend around my city, he kept pointing out parapet design and he meant bits of fancy ironwork that was on top of some buildings from the 1920s. I think it was mostly there so people could go out on the roof and not fall off.

It never occurred to me that the two things, which seem so different, could both be called a parapet!

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    • Parapets are meant to offer protection to people and structures.
      By: Aleksandar Todorovic
      Parapets are meant to offer protection to people and structures.
    • Parapets sometimes serve decorative functions.
      By: Fantini&Rossini
      Parapets sometimes serve decorative functions.
    • The fortifications at the top of a trench are sometimes called parapets.
      By: lebanmax
      The fortifications at the top of a trench are sometimes called parapets.
    • Many architects take advantage of their parapets to add some decorative flair to their buildings.
      By: Ded Pixto
      Many architects take advantage of their parapets to add some decorative flair to their buildings.