Parapets for Blinds Fences

A blinds fence is a structure that offers numerous advantages. However, at the same time, the inclined arrangement of the slats promotes active water runoff during heavy rainstorms — therefore, when installing a fence, the mounting of a detail such as a parapet is, at the very least, highly desirable.

Parapets are installed both over the fence sections and under the sections. But while the installation of such a detail in the upper part is optional (the section itself effectively drains moisture), it is advisable to install a special element under the base of the fence. It can be made of various materials and have different shapes, so before choosing a parapet for a blinds fence, it is worth studying the recommendations below.

The Purpose of Parapets

A parapet is a detail placed over the base that performs a protective function. Installing a parapet allows for the following tasks to be solved:

1. The first and most important is the drainage of moisture, which flows down the sections of the blinds fence, away from the base. If the fence is mounted on a strip foundation or a plinth made of concrete or brick, a parapet is simply essential here — otherwise, the base will deteriorate very quickly.
2. The second function of the parapet is design-oriented. The installation of an additional element bounds the fence from below, visually separating it from both the ground and the plinth part. From this perspective, it is practical to use parapets whose shade harmonizes with the shade of the fence sections themselves or the supporting structures.
3. Finally, a parapet is also a detail that covers the gap between the base and the bottom slat. Even if the dimensions of this detail are small, it still effectively closes the resulting gap: this is beneficial from both a practical and aesthetic point of view.

Choosing the Parapet Shape for a Blinds Fence

Parapets installed on fences can have different shapes. But when it comes to a parapet for a blinds fence, the choice of configuration is directly dictated by the shape of the sections themselves:

1. Flat (U-shaped) parapet — the simplest design, but it is effective only with sufficient width and high moisture resistance of the material. The edges of the parapet should protrude beyond the edges of the fence on the outside and inside; otherwise, its effectiveness will be low.
2. Single-slope parapet — a simple yet effective solution specifically for blinds fences. The slope should be oriented in the same direction as the slats that make up the sections. In this case, the fence will look most organic from the outside, and moisture flowing down the fence will be effectively diverted from the base.

• Double-slope parapet — the most universal construction, suitable for both traditional fences and blinds fences. Two slopes allow for effective moisture drainage from the fence foundation, while the parapet looks quite organic.

Concrete Parapets

As mentioned above, parapets for blinds fences can be made of any material. Most often, they are made by casting from concrete and similar compositions (reinforced concrete, polymer-cement mixtures):

1. For the manufacture of concrete parapets, solutions with high moisture resistance are used, allowing them to withstand periodic wetting without destruction.
2. Parts are produced in standard sizes, so during installation, they are usually simply adjusted to the dimensions of the section, joining them together.
3. A concrete parapet is relatively inexpensive and at the same time features great strength.
4. The disadvantages of this solution include significant weight and complexity of installation: several workers are often required to install the parapets. Furthermore, even the most moisture-resistant concrete remains a porous material, so it needs to be treated with special impregnations. Otherwise, stains (efflorescence) may appear on the surface, and then the material will begin to crumble.

However, despite these drawbacks, a concrete parapet is a perfectly worthy solution for a blinds fence.

Stone Parapets

Stone parapets are an excellent alternative to cast concrete products. They can be manufactured according to various schemes:

1. The most common solution is facing a concrete base for the parapet with natural stone or its imitation. Stone slabs are simply laid on the inclined planes, and the gaps between them are grouted with a moisture-resistant composition.
2. Another option is manufacturing the parapet from artificial stone. A composition based on cement, polymer-cement, or a polymer binder with mineral filler is indistinguishable from a stone monolith after hardening in the mold and is not much inferior to it in terms of strength.
3. Finally, if you want to install a premium-class blinds fence, it can be made from solid stone. Granite and its derivatives are most often used — such products are practically eternal (though, in fairness, they are very difficult to produce).

• A special category is made up of marble parapets. Marble is inferior to granite in terms of strength and moisture resistance, so when using this material for a parapet, it is subjected to special processing. The products are heavy and quite expensive — but at the same time, they look absolutely flawless.

Metal Parapets

Another common practice is the production of parapets from sheet metal:

1. For the manufacture of protective elements for blinds fences, galvanized steel with a protective-decorative polymer coating is used.
2. Coatings made of Pural, Plastisol, Polyester, or PVDF protect the metal from corrosion. In addition, the use of colored plastic allows for the production of parapets in the same color scheme as the blinds fence sections themselves.
3. Lightweight and durable metal parapets are mounted with minimal effort and look like integral elements of the blinds fence system.

At a relatively low cost (compared to stone products), metal parapets excellently cope with the main task — protecting the base from moisture. The ability to manufacture parts in any shape allows for a configuration optimal for moisture drainage, and the polymer coating of the metal reliably protects it from corrosion.

Conclusion

A correctly selected parapet can organically complement the appearance of a blinds fence and protect it from the effects of moisture. Concrete, stone, marble, and metal structures each have their own characteristics — but they all help extend the service life of the fence itself and the base on which it is installed.