Creating a Flat Parapet Roof


Reference Number: KB-00295
Last Modified: August 25, 2022

The information in this article applies to:

Chief Architect Premier or Chief Architect Interiors



QUESTION

How do I create a flat roof structure with parapet walls?

Parapet roof and walls

ANSWER

Parapet roofs can be created easily in Chief Architect by building a second floor with no roof or ceiling over it.  


To create a flat parapet roof

  1. Launch Chief Architect and create a new plan by selecting File> New Plan  from the menu.  


  2. Select Build> Wall> Straight Exterior Wall  and draw four walls in a clockwise manner to make a simple, enclosed rectangular structure.  


  3. Next, select Build> Floor> Build New Floor  from the menu and in the New Floor dialog, choose Make new blank plan for the 2nd Floor, then click OK


  4. On the Structure panel of the Floor 2 Defaults dialog that displays next:

    Structure panel of the Floor 2 Defaults dialog

    • Specify the Finished Ceiling value to be 36".

    • Uncheck Roof Over This Room. The Flat Ceiling Over This Room setting will automatically become unchecked as well, which is what we want. 

    • Select the Edit button next to Floor Finish and specify the material(s) that will be used for the flat roof.

    • Make any other desired changes, then click OK.


  5. Next, with Floor 2 active , select Tools> Floor/Reference Display> Reference Display , or press the F9 hotkey keyboard shortcut to see how the second floor relates to the first.


  6. Select Build> Wall> Straight Half-Wall  and draw four half walls in a clockwise manner, directly on top of the reference lines to make a simple enclosed rectangular structure.

    Second floor walls drawn using the first floor wall reference lines 

    The half walls should snap directly to the reference display lines of the first floor walls, however, if you select a half wall and it's not aligned properly, select the Align with Wall Below edit tool.

     
  7. Select all four walls and choose the Open Object  edit button to open the Railing Specification Dialog.

    Selecting Brick-6 from the Wall Type drop-down menu

    • On the Wall Types panel, set the Wall Type to match the walls that are on the first floor.

      In this example, the Brick-6 wall type is used.

    • Click on the Wall Cap panel and change the wall cap profile and size to your liking.

    • Select the Materials panel and change the Interior Wall Surface and Wall Cap materials to fit your needs.

    • Make any other desired changes, then click OK.


  8. Take a Camera view to see the results.

    Perspective full overview of a flat parapet roof