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A parapet consists of a dwarf wall along the edge of a roof, or round a lead flat, terrace walk, etc., to prevent persons from falling over, and as a protection to the defenders in case of a siege. The word comes from the Italian parapetto and/or the French parapet, from Italian para, imperative of Italian parare (to cover, defend) and petto (breast), ultimately from the Latin pectus (breast); the Germans use the term Brustwehr (lit. chest protection), and in Norwegian brystvern which means the same, probably just a translation of the German term.
Parapets are either plain, embattled, perforated or panelled. The last two are found in all styles except the Romanesque.
- Plain parapets are simply portions of the wall generally overhanging a little, with a coping at the top and corbel table below.
- Embattled parapets are sometimes panelled, but oftener pierced for the discharge of arrows, etc.
- Perforated parapets are pierced in various devices as circles, trefoils, quatrefoils and other designs so that the light is seen through.
- Panelled parapets are those ornamented by a series of panels, either oblong or square, and more or less enriched, but not perforated. These are common in the Decorated and Perpendicular periods.
Parapet Roofs
Parapets surrounding roofs are extremely common in London. This dates from the Building Act of 1707 which banned projecting wooden eaves in the cities of Westminster and London as they were considered a fire risk. Instead an 18-inch brick parapet was required, with the roof set behind. This was continued in many Georgian houses, as it gave the appearance of a flat roof which accorded with the desire for classical proportions.
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See also
"Parapet"