A screen wall is a facade that extends higher than the roof behind it, so that the roof is not visible from the street side. The screen wall acts as a “screen” that conceals the roof structure from view. This gives the building a stately, larger-looking appearance.
Recognition
- The top of the facade projects above the roofline
- Often finished with decorative detailing: stepped gables, scrolls, mouldings
- Characteristic of canal houses, shops and buildings from the 17th-19th century
- Also found on modern commercial buildings to conceal a flat roof
Types of screen walls
| Type | Characteristic | Period |
|---|---|---|
| **Stepped gable** | Stepped top | 16th-17th century |
| **Bell gable** | Bell-shaped crowning | 17th-18th century |
| **Neck gable** | Narrow neck with crowning | 17th-18th century |
| **Cornice gable** | Straight top with cornice | 18th-19th century |
| **Modern screen wall** | Clean, rectangular | Present day |
Construction
The screen wall is a non-loadbearing wall above the roofline. The brickwork must be anchored to the roof structure to resist wind loading. When renovating old screen walls, check for:
- Cracking caused by wind pressure
- Loose anchorages
- Moisture damage behind the screen
Related terms
- Facade
- Stepped gable
- Cornice
- Parapet
- Gable wall