What are freestanding walls that extend above the normal roofline called?

The term for freestanding walls that extend above the normal roofline is parapet walls. These walls are typically found at the edges of roofs and serve several important functions. Primarily, parapet walls act as a safety barrier, preventing people from falling off the edges of buildings. They also help to control water runoff by directing it away from the building’s structure.

Additionally, parapet walls can play a role in fire protection, acting as a barrier to prevent the spread of flames from one rooftop to another, especially in urban environments where buildings are in close proximity. This feature makes them critical in firefighting strategies, as they can help mitigate fire risks.

Retaining walls are used for holding back soil and are not relevant to roofing structures, while end walls and party walls pertain to different architectural contexts, with end walls often referring to walls at the gable ends of buildings, and party walls separating two adjoining structures.