What low-wall coping is
Coping is the upper finish of the walls that crown flat roofs, balconies, terraces, mansards and parapet walls. It has two complementary functions: protecting the top of the masonry from infiltration (water entering through the top of a low wall migrates into the wall and produces visible pathologies years later) and giving the facade a clean crowning line. In zinc or copper, coping has a service life far above painted-sheet or moulded-concrete alternatives.
Drip edges and joints
The copings we build have a drip on both sides (throwing run-off away from the wall), expansion joints placed at regular intervals (absorbing the metal's thermal movement without generating stress) and concealed fixings. On decorative parapets with moulded profiles, we make the coping to measure, replicating the profile of the original stonework.
Flat roofs and terraces
On flat roofs, the coping integrates with the waterproofing membrane to form a continuous system. The upper finish of the parapet is the point where degradation of a flat roof most often starts: investing in well-built zinc coping is the protection that pays back most in terms of building service life.
Refurbishment of older low walls
In refurbishment we replace old end-of-life copings in galvanised sheet or ceramic tile, replicating the original design where it matters to the building's character. Our team travels to the site for a survey and proposal at no cost.
For the wider context, see also the decorative elements and parapets.