What is a parapet roof? Is a parapet roof a good solution for a home in Brisbane? Can you restore a parapet roof? Roo Roofing has all the answers. 

Let’s start from the beginning: Parapet roofs date all the way back to the middle ages, where they were built on castles for soldiers to hide behind. Simply put, a parapet roof is when a building’s outermost walls extend upwards past the roof around the edges, most often by a few feet.

Over time, parapet roofs have developed for more stylistic purposes - and they also offer solutions for a range of other roofing issues. We at Roo Roofing have restored and replaced many types of parapet roofs across Brisbane, but know that not everyone is as knowledgeable as us when it comes to what they’re built for.

Read on to find out exactly what a parapet roof is, and most importantly, if a parapet roof is right for you!

Types of Parapet Roofs

The most common type of parapet is the plain parapet. As the name suggests, this type of parapet roof is simply a basic, flat wall extension. Best explained, it is just a flat extension of the wall past the roof line, making the house look taller than it really is.

Here are some other types:

• An embattled parapet isn’t really used in modern homes and commercial buildings these days, but can still be seen in many older buildings across Brisbane, and can even be restored. Embattled parapets were initially designed for castles, usually panelled and pierced (if not purely as stylistic device) for the discharge of defensive projectiles. Modern architecture rarely utilises this style of parapet.
• Paneled parapets are very similar to the plain parapets, but have the addition of ornamental panels facing outwards on display. Much like embattled parapets, these are older types of parapets and will commonly be seen in older roofs that may need restoring.
• Sloped parapets, as you would expect, are parapets used for sloping roof structures. Sloped parapets are more commonly seen on industrial and trussered structures.
• Stepped parapets can be used for inclining structures to create a more aesthetic look to the roof. In this case, the parapet would be constructed in a staircase design along the incline of the roof.
• Similarly to stepped parapets, curved parapets are utilised mostly for visual and aesthetic purposes. These can add a modern edge to the look of the building and are built against the incline of the roof.
• Modern parapet roof types include fiber glass parapets, or parapets with steel railings. These types of parapets are more common for modern homes and commercial buildings due to their aesthetic appeal, and have also proven to be both economical and safe.

Why Should I Build, Replace or Restore a Parapet Roof?

With storm season approaching in Brisbane, parapet roofs are a great option due to their ability to catch debris and prevent damage from loose tiles falling from your roof. It also makes it easier to clean your roof after rain or a storm, as debris will have collected towards the lowest point of the slope.

Parapet roofs can also prevent damage from high pressure winds. When wind blows against a building it produces vortices at the roof edges that create huge pressure differences at roof perimeters that can suck roofs off buildings. A parapet roof, however, can guard you against hazards like these by reducing the pressure from these winds.

Whatever you’re trying to achieve with your parapet roof, Roo Roofing can help - we know parapet roofs, and we know Brisbane! We’ve replaced and restored hundreds of roofs across Brisbane and surrounding suburbs, and are confident we can exceed your expectations.

Call 1300 734 148 or click the link below for your free consultation today!