Help Database

You can create an arched parapet wall by building a new 2nd floor, adjusting the materials, and modifying the front parapet wall.

Begin by opening the plan in which you would like to create an arched parapet wall.  In this example, a simple 30' x 40' rectangular structure is used.

To create parapet walls

1. The roof area with the parapet wall needs to be created on its own floor, so select Build > Floor > Build New Floor. from the menu.
   
   
   • In the New Floor dialog, choose Derive new 2nd Floor plan from the 1st Floor plan and click OK.
     
     
     
2. On the Structure tab of the Floor 2 Defaults dialog, which opens next:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Set the Rough Ceiling (E) height to 36".
     
     
   • Next click the Floor Finish button to open the Floor Finish Definition dialog.
     
     
     
     
     
   • Select the topmost layer, #1, and click the Library Material button.  Select an appropriate roofing material for the structure, such as asphalt or gravel and click OK.
     
     
   • If you want, you can specify additional layers in the Floor Finish Definition for waterproofing materials.
     
     
   • When you are satisfied with the floor structure definition, click OK to close the Floor Finish Definition dialog and apply your changes.
     
     
     
3. Next, go to the Moldings tab of the Floor 2 Defaults dialog and click on the Delete button to remove the base molding from the 2nd floor room.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Full Overview  from the menu to see the results so far.
   
   

To add an arch to a parapet wall

1. Select File> Close  to return to floor plan view.
   
   
   
2. Select Build> Wall> Invisible Wall from the menu, then click and drag to draw two invisible walls perpendicular to the wall that will have the arched parapet.
   
   
   • These walls will be used to define the start and end points of the parapet arch.
     
     
   • In this example, the invisible walls are positioned 8'-0" from the inside of the exterior walls.
     
     
     
     
3. Click the Select Objects  button, then click in the center room on the 2nd floor to select it and click the Open Object  edit button.  On the Structure tab of the Room Specification dialog:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Uncheck Ceiling Over This Room.
     
     
   • Make sure that Roof Over This Room remains checked.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your change.
     
     
     
4. Select Build> Wall> Break Wall , then click along the wall that will have the arched parapet to place breaks at the intersections of the Invisible Walls.
   
   
   
   
5. Select Build > Roof > Roof Plane from the menu, then draw a roof plane that bears on the wall that will have the arched parapet.
   
   
   
6. Select the roof plane and use the Rotate edit handle to rotate it 90° so that its pitch runs parallel to the wall that will have the arch rather than running towards the center of the structure.
   
   
   
7. The roof plane should only extend over the wall section between the two Invisible Walls.  Once it is rotated, use its square Resize handles to snap it to the Invisible Walls.
   
   
   
   
8. Select the roof plane and click the Open Object  edit button. On the General tab of the Roof Plane Specification dialog:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Specify the Pitch as 0.
     
     
   • Check the box beside Curved Roof.
     
     
   • Set the Angle at Eave to 30°.
     
     
   • On the Options tab, under the "Ceiling" heading, uncheck Room Ceiling Finish.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and apply your changes.
     
     
     
9. Create a Perspective Full Overview  to see the results so far.
   
   
   
   
   
10. Select Tools > Display Settings > Display Options  from the menu to open the Layer Display Options dialog.
    
    
    
    
    
    • Scroll down the list of layers to find the "Roof" layers.
      
      
    • You can also tap the "R" key on your keyboard to go directly to the layers with names that start with R. 
      
      
    • Turn off the display of the Roof Planes, Roofs, Gutters, and Roofs, Overhang Area layers by clicking to remove the checkmark in the Disp column.
      
      
    • Click OK to close the dialog and turn off these layers in the current layer set.
      
      
      
11. The structure should now look like this:
    
    

To build framing

1. Select Build > Framing >Build Framing  from the menu.  In the Build Framing dialog:
   
   
   • Select the 1st floor tab and check Build Floor Framing.
     
     
   • Select the Wall tab and check Build Wall Framing.
     
     
   • Click OK to close the dialog and build the specified framing.
     
     
     
2. Here is what the framing looks like in an overview.
   
   
   
   
3. Now that the framing is done we can remove the ceilings from the two side rooms. To do this, select File> Close  to return to floor plan view.
   
   
   
4. Click the Select Objects  button, then click in one of the side rooms on Floor 2 to select it and click the Open Object  edit button. On the Structure tab of the Room Specification dialog:
   
   
   • Uncheck both Ceiling Over this Room and Roof Over this Room.
     
     
   • Repeat this step for the other side room.
     
     
     
5. In a Perspective Full Overview , our arched parapet wall will now look like this:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

For more information on creating parapet walls, see:

Help Database Article: How do I create a float roof structure with parapet walls?

Online Training Video Series: Drawing a Flat Roof with Center Drain and Parapet Walls