A parapet wall is a low or dwarf wall built along the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, walkway, or other structure. It is any wall that continues vertically past the roofline. The word "parapet" comes from the Italian word "parapetto," which means "to cover/defend" and "chest/breast". Parapet walls can be constructed using different materials like reinforced cement concrete, steel, wood, glass, and masonry. There are different types of parapet walls, including:

• Plain Parapet Walls: This is a vertical extension of the wall at the edge of the roof. It is a general type of parapet that is specially provided for safety concerns. Plain parapets are easy to construct, require low maintenance, but generally look dull in appearance.

• Perforated Parapet Walls: This is also an extension of the wall like plain parapet, but in this case, the extended wall portion is perforated with different-sized openings considering the aesthetic appearance of the structure. Differently designed perforations such as circles, trefoils, flower shapes, etc. are used.

• Paneled Parapet Walls: This type of parapet wall is similar to plain parapets, but the difference is that parapets are ornamented with a series of panel designs on the outside of the parapet wall. The panels may be oblong or square, but no perforations are provided in this case. This type of parapet is more prevalent since it provides a beautiful appearance to the structure and at the same time doesnt cost much and provides ease in construction.

• Embattled Parapet Walls: This is a type of parapet fortification that is a wall of stone, wood, or earth on the outer edge of a defensive wall or trench, which shelters the defenders. In medieval castles, they were often crenellated. In later artillery forts, parapets tend to be higher and thicker. They could be provided with embrasures for the forts guns to fire through, and a banquette or fire-step so that....

Parapet walls serve several purposes, including safety, aesthetics, and protection of buildings and equipment from harms way. They can provide a building with a more pleasing aesthetic look, give a shorter building a taller appearance, and protect against falls by residents, visitors, repair persons, or equipment installers.