What Is a Wall Along the Edge of a Balcony?

Function

• Parapets are vertical walls that surround the edge of balconies, protecting the occupants and objects from falling. However, a parapet can also serve as a barrier along the edge of roofs and other raised structures.

Features

• Though parapets can simply be solid walls, they can often feature decorative railings, balustrades, screening or floor-to-ceiling enclosures. Typically, these structural elements are made of metal, concrete or wood. Glass, glazed curtain walls and steel columns can be built on top of parapets or incorporated into the overall design. These additions provide protection from snow and rain, insulation from heat and cold, and soundproofing. Balcony systems that combine parapets and glazed curtain walls not only provide sound barriers, but also help with regulating inside temperatures.

Considerations

• Check your balcony’s parapet for signs of stress or disrepair to flag potential safety issues early. Watch for rust stains on exposed steel reinforcements or signs of leaning. Rotted, loose or corroded balustrades and railings should be replaced immediately. Wood balconies should be inspected regularly for issues including wet-rot, insect infestations and rusted or loose bolts. Keep areas near the wall support dry and free of water. If you have a concrete balcony, call a building inspector to routinely check for cracking, flaking and other signs of decay.

Expert Insight

• To minimize the chance of structural mishaps, parapets should be built according to industry standards and in compliance with established building codes. Greg Burn of Structures Limited recommends that builders focus on critical details such as the top of parapet walls, handrail connections and the corners joining the horizontal and vertical walls of the structure. Burn remarks that rather than treating the tops of parapets as exterior wall cladding, “Instead, they should be treated as a small roof, as using wall cladding details, materials and finishes on these flat or low pitched surfaces can cause significant failure.”