Parapets are built to protect against falls from high heights. These should also act as a barrier to slipping and absorb a shock. The parapet heights are regulated by law depending on the fall height and the minimum height should definitely be adhered to. If you build higher, then the aesthetics and overall impression of the house must also be taken into account.
Parapet height, as regulated
Since every opening in the house, for example whether it is a window or a balcony, has a different function, the parapet heights are also designed differently. Other provisions apply. What is particularly important here is optimal security. The height of the parapets can vary from community to community and should therefore be agreed with the building authority before building or restoring a house. It depends primarily on the height of the fall as to how high the parapet has to be overall. Most federal states regulate this as follows:
- Minimum height generally 80 centimeters
- Fall height below twelve meters: minimum height 90 centimeters
- Fall height over twelve meters: parapet height at least 1.10 meters
- Parapet height is measured from the balcony floor
However, the state building regulations regulated in the federal states often prescribe different heights. In some federal states, for example Lower Saxony, the minimum height for a fall height of less than 12 meters is one meter, while in others the legally prescribed 90 centimeters applies. Since the fall height is always included in the railing, this increases even with a particularly high balcony railing.
Tip:
The height of the parapet for windows and balconies is always measured according to the finished floor. If parquet or stones are later laid on the concrete or screed floor, this floor height must be taken into account when calculating the parapet.
Consider aspects
For your own safety and that of your family, other aspects should also be taken into account when building or restoring a house. Because one meter is not particularly high, even 1.10 meters is often not enough for a fall height of over twelve meters. When deciding on the height of the parapets for both the windows and the balcony grilles, the following should be taken into account:
- do small children live in the household
- are there very tall people living in the household
- old people with walking difficulties
Even fourteen-year-olds can still fall over a parapet if they lean far forward. In such a case, a 1.10 parapet may still be too low. Older people could also stumble and fall over parapets. Therefore, a parapet can always be chosen higher than specified.
Tip:
If the height of a parapet on a balcony seems too high because you can no longer enjoy the view while sitting, you can also put a glazed front around the balcony. Of course, safety glass must be chosen that cannot break.
Pay attention to the federal state
Especially in which federal state a house is being built or renovated, it is important to know the legal regulations for parapet heights. Because this is regulated differently from state to state. This is not just about the height, but often also in connection with the material chosen for the parapets. Although the height is measured nationwide between 80/90 cm and 1.10 meters, there can still be differences. Here are a few examples:
Baden-Württemberg
A solid architectural style stands out here, so a parapet height of 80 centimeters is sufficient with a depth of 20 centimeters, which is often the case with brick parapets. However, parapets made of glass, steel or wood are excluded from this.
Bavaria
In this federal state, the parapet height is regulated primarily depending on the use of the house. The parapets in office buildings must be set higher, but in residential buildings they can be set lower.
Rhineland-Palatinate
The rule here is that the actual parapets for windows and balconies can be lower, but then they have to be secured differently, for example by a built-in railing that offers additional height.
Tip:
It is especially important to think about the parapet heights of balconies and windows before building or renovating the house. For example, if it is an old house to which these building regulations did not apply at the time, improvements must definitely be made so that the building authority can accept it.
Balcony balustrade design
The design of balcony railings in particular is what gives the house its decorative appearance. This aspect should also be considered alongside safety when building or renovating a house. Balcony parapets are an integral part of architecture and can have a positive impact on the appearance of a building through their appearance. If the parapets are individually adapted to the house, then the following should be taken into account:
- always adhere to the prescribed minimum dimensions
- use weatherproof material
- Glass, metal or stone
- Choose transparent material for vision
- pay attention to the play of light with perforations
Tip:
If there are children in the household or perhaps there are plans to have them, then when choosing the balustrade on the balcony, you should not only consider the height. Ornate, decorated and wrought iron slings can cause injury or children could climb up on them and, in the worst case, fall.
Window parapets
The height of the parapet for windows is also regulated by law. This can be found in regulation Din 5034-4. This regulation provides for the following aspects when installing windows:
- Fall height, height from the ground to the window
- here the prescribed minimum dimension is 80 cm
- whenever the fall height is not more than 12 meters
- From a height of 12 meters, a parapet height of 90 cm is required
- here we always measure between the finished interior floor and the bottom of the window
However, these height specifications are only minimum heights that must be adhered to. If the windows are installed higher, this is definitely permissible. Low windows on a ground floor are certainly conceivable. But anyone who has ever looked from the third or fourth floor can imagine how low a 90 cm parapet height can be, even for a window. Especially if very tall people live in the household.
Tip:
If the minimum dimensions of the parapet heights have been adhered to or even exceeded, then something else must be pointed out, especially if small children live in the household. Never leave the children alone on the balcony. Do not have chairs or other small furniture that is suitable for climbing near windows or balcony parapets.
