Roof parapet - a structure that performs not only an aesthetic, but also a practical function, can be installed on roofs of any shape and size. In our article, you will learn what it is being assembled for, what types exist, what requirements are imposed on these products in building codes. In addition, you can find out the nuances of the arrangement, the options for creating it, familiarize yourself with the advice of professional installers and find out whether you can do without building a parapet or this construction is mandatory.
Parapet installation is possible on any roof regardless of its size, degrees of inclination, form and material of manufacture. The main functions of the product :
Protect people who walk on the roof, do construction work or repairs there, from falling to the ground.
Hold the snow masses slipping under their weight , their one-time collapse, which could harm the life and health of passers-by and property.
Visual masking of pipelines, air ducts, cooling equipment and other items that impair the appearance of the building.
Additional resistance strong wind load , which is especially important in regions with a harsh climate.
Improved waterproofing properties of the roof structure, protection of joints from leakage.
The ability to create a safe and beautiful viewing platform if the roof has a flat design with zero angle.
Properly installed parapet on the roof will protect the structure from precipitation, hurricane wind and other external influences, as well as become a decorative ornament of the building itself.
Today Two types of parapets are common - from stone materials and from various types of metals. Most often, the former perform primarily a practical function, and the latter - a decorative one. Appearance of a product depends on features of a facade of the house, the most popular types :
Simple.
Complicated.
Figured shapes.
Ridge.
Flat.
Note ! Apron of the junction of the roof is most often made of metal sheet, which has a thickness of up to 0.7 mm.
The figured parapet usually has the shape of a railing, it is distinguished by a multitude of bends, indirect lines; the simplest system combines two slopes and a rectangular dripstick. A more complex option involves bending the drip under the visor: the installation of the system is more expensive, but it will be more resistant to external influences.
Parapet is considered a mandatory structure on any building if the building is over 10 meters high. The dimensions of the product itself depend on what function it performs: for example, structures designed to protect the roofing from wind and precipitation are lower than systems that are used for safety on roofs with recreational areas.
On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer the service of designing and performing roofing works of any complexity . Directly to communicate with representatives, you can visit the exhibition of houses "Low-rise Country".
Any parapet regardless of its shape, size and design has a single structure :
Shelf is the main element.
Overhangs are parts located in a shelf perpendicular position.
Drops are the side parts that are used for drainage.
Most often, the structure is made of steel, aluminum, brick, concrete or blocks, combined materials can be used (for example, a concrete base with metal railings). The upper part is usually covered with a galvanized sheet or plate of reinforced concrete, as this protects the product from corrosion and mechanical damage. Can also be used metal profiles of horizontal, single or gable design.
According to building codes, the parapet must be installed on buildings more than 10 meters in height and with a slope up to 12 degrees. In the case of a greater slope of the roof, the construction is also suitable for homes of lesser height. In addition, decorative parapets can be placed on buildings with a flat roof and a small height, since they perform an aesthetic function, and not only have a practical purpose.
One of the important parameters is the height of the parapet on a flat roof; The SNIP defines a value of 45 cm, while the maximum size is 1.2 meters. It is not necessary to make a parapet structure on the roof, if it is not exploited, that is, there is no observation platform, a walking place, or other structures at the top. If the roof is operated as a resting place, a part of the summer cafe, a parapet is made from 120 cm high to protect people from accidental fall.
It may be interesting! In the article on the following link read about balcony railings.
The important point when creating a parapet is the device of the junction of the structure to the roof. To finish the galvanized sheet in the design cut out the grooves, lead there the edges of metal products, bending them at an angle. In order for the node adjoining the roof to the parapet to be equipped according to all the rules, and the connection was reliable, several rules should be observed:
The niche where the apron edge is introduced should be not less than 100 mm in depth .
The grooves in the parapet must be filled with cement to prevent the wall from deforming and cracking during the first long rainstorm.
Note! Full the length of the system should be fixed cork made of wood in increments of 100 cm: they are needed for nailing bars with the subsequent laying of the apron on them. The sheets themselves overlap with a margin of 10-12 cm.
If we are talking about a flat roof, you need to use additional waterproofing with mastic, reinforce the structure with geotextile or other materials containing fiberglass. The insulation layer is made with an overlap of 120-150 mm, the joints are coated with mastic, the cake itself is fixed with an apron. High-quality waterproofing of the junction assembly is especially important if a coating in the form of soft tile or roll roofing is used: a support detail must be provided at the junction point.
A parapet on the roof can be made regardless of the degree of inclination, however, when creating a structure on a pitched surface, it is important to observe heightened security measures and take into account a number of nuances. For example, when a folded roof with a protrusion is required to compress it with metal corners with perforation and bolt. On the corners mount the fence itself.
It can be interesting! In the article on the following link read about fencing for the terrace.
Another installation method is practiced if the roof is made of corrugated or metal tiles. Fastening is carried out with screws with a rubber gasket. The use of such fasteners allows you to seal the coating as much as possible, protecting it from precipitation.
In order for installation of the parapet to take a minimum of time and to be carried out correctly, it is recommended to take into account the following nuances :
Before installation requires to calculate the area of the roof , determine the average amount of precipitation during the year and clarify the load per square meter: these figures will be required when determining the amount of materials for the arrangement of the parapet itself.
Mounting requires mountaineering equipment and high-altitude work skills, so the task of installing a parapet can only be assigned to professionals who have the appropriate equipment and license for such activity.
Often the construction is an extension of the wall, therefore, its construction is carried out by during the construction phase of the building. This means that the system must be thought out at the design stage of the house.
Metal parapets are considered to be in high demand: they are durable, lightweight, resistant to temperature fluctuations, moisture, mechanical loads, have a long service life. The lining of the structure with a metal profile is allowed, the joints are folded to ensure maximum tightness. In addition, the building can be equipped with parapets, for example, from armored glass or highly durable plastic: the supports are made of metal, and the space between them is covered with sheets of such material. The apron on the roof, which is used for drainage, is usually made of galvanized steel.
An example of finishing parapets in the following video:
It can be interesting! In the article on the following link read about the cottage on the mountain above the city.
The roof parapet is a sturdy construction that serves to decorate a building, to ensure the safety of people, including during high-altitude work, snow retention and resistance to wind load. The product can be made of brick, block, have a monolithic structure, often the parapet is made of metal or combine materials. Due to the increased requirements for the reliability of the design, it is necessary to entrust the installation to experienced craftsmen.