Building - NYC Parapet Inspection | Repair Parapet NYC

The Role of Parapets in NYC Building Safety: Everything You Should Know

Like other fields, the architecture and design sector has also evolved, picking critical elements from the past and blending them with innovative solutions to make modern buildings more suitable for New York City’s urban scene or fabric. You can consider the use of parapets in building construction today. Once used to strengthen the defense system of castles and fortresses against potential invasions, these parapet walls or raised roofline barriers in contemporary times are integral to almost all residential and commercial buildings in NYC. Today, they serve various functional and aesthetic purposes, affecting building appearance, structural integrity, and public safety, particularly in densely populated city neighborhoods. The new local laws have mandated that these structural elements be analyzed annually and repaired or reinforced (if needed) to ensure everyone’s security, emphasizing their importance in the modern architectural landscape.

Our professionals at Zicklin Contracting offer comprehensive parapet inspection services to building owners in the New York area, covering NYC, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, etc. We understand the significance of adding these structural elements to any property. Our trained experts can also suggest a type of parapet one can build and why. From the shape and style to the material, let’s navigate everything about parapets for clarity.

Function of parapets

Understanding the use of parapets is essential to determine why these structures need a certain height, thickness, material, shape, and design. You can be more precise about these aspects while adding your aesthetic inputs during construction. So, one of the functions of parapets is to provide fall protection by covering the perimeter of your roof with walls. It’s particularly relevant for flat roofs, where accidents like falling off are more common. However, this wall must be sufficiently tall and thick to act as a sturdy barrier. How do you ascertain this? The construction safety observations made by our experts can prove beneficial in this regard. Hence, you do not need to worry. 

Furthermore, parapet walls in modern buildings also facilitate their integrity by keeping unwanted elements at bay, such as debris, water infiltration, and strong winds. Debris from the streets can be kicked into the air by blowing wind, causing them to land on the building’s roofs. However, parapets stop all the rubbish materials like trash and dust from reaching your property. Rain is another significant threat to the roofs. A well-constructed parapet can prevent rainwater from entering the building’s interior and pooling on the roof, which may have consequences, such as leaks caused by deterioration of the roofing materials. Fire protection is also one of the roles played by these structures. The thick walls ensure that fire doesn’t quickly spread from one unit to another in an apartment building.

Types of parapets

You can choose their design, shape, and materials (concrete, stone, brick, composite, glass, etc.) to meet the basic functionality requirements, local codes, and aesthetic standards. Shape refers to general design traits in the given context.

Parapet designs

There are different types of designs, such as:

  1. Plain walls—These vertical extensions at the edge of the roof are built from concrete for rooftop safety and privacy. They need little maintenance.
  2. Embattled walls—A familiar feature of historic or old architecture, these parapet walls flaunt alternating solid and open parts (high and low sections) on top of the wall. Nowadays, they are mostly used for their aesthetic value. 
  3. Perforated walls – Similar to plain parapets, they can be built with or without openings throughout the walls. They offer a mix of aesthetic and practical value 
  4. Paneled walls – These parapets use plain wall configuration techniques with cosmetic enhancement on the exteriors. 

Parapet shape

It is crucial that due attention is paid to the shape of the parapet.

  1. Flat walls: These accompany flat roofs. Imagine yourself sitting on the wall and writing for an idea.
  2. Sloped walls: A common feature of sloped or gable roofs, sloped walls lend architectural depth to the building.
  3. Stepped walls: Both pitched and flat roofs can have them.
  4. Curved: These provide a circular curve shape to the slope of the pitched or flat roofs.

FAQs

Is it expensive to build parapet walls?

These are easier to install within an affordable budget than many other building features.

What do you call the top part of the parapet?

The technical term is “coping.” It protects the interior wall from water damage and adds aesthetic appeal to the structure.

What causes leakage issues in parapet walls?

The absence of or weakening of the waterproofing system, cracks in the walls, poor flashing installation, sealant issues, and exposure to elements are common scenarios associated with leakage in this part of the building structure.

What is the NYC local law 126?

According to LL 126, all building owners must have the parapets inspected annually to determine whether they are unsafe.

Contact Us

Does it sound overwhelming? Call us at 718-550-2779 / 347-495-4959 for parapet inspection services in New York. We can help you discover the right parapet style, material, height, thickness, and more for your building.