Coping and capping
Cappings and copings are used to cap the tops of masonry parapets and freestanding walls to prevent rainwater from penetrating into the construction below. They can be made from profiled metal such as lead, aluminium, zinc, copper and plastic-coated steel, or by using special bricks or masonry.
Irrespective of the materials from which they are made, a coping will typically project by around 50mm on either side of the wall, whereas a capping will sit flush to the wall with no projections.
Copings have projections to throw water as far as possible from the wall surface below. This is facilitated by the inclusion of drips – typically 10mm-wide semi-circular grooves cut into the underside of the projections – designed to prevent wind-driven rain from being blown back against the wall.
Because of their position, cappings and copings are exposed to temperature extremes and frequent wetting/drying cycles. As they are more exposed than ordinary walling, they should be made of materials that have greater resistance to frost and sulphate action. To assist with water run-off, the tops of copings and cappings typically feature either a single or double slope.
In most cases, the coping/capping arrangement will not be completely water tight. Therefore, to avoid water penetration into the wall below, a damp-proof course is usually installed beneath the coping/capping.
NB Short Guide: Climate Change Adaptation for Traditional Buildings, published on 10 July 2017 by Historic Scotland, defines a cope as a: ‘Masonry or concrete slab projecting over a masonry element, designed to shed water.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Fire doors and the Fire Door Inspection Scheme.
Three-quarters of fire doors fail inspections
UN International Day for Biological Diversity, May 22.
The role of geoparks, biospheres and world heritage sites.
BSRIA conference 2022, June 23.
Just one month to go ! Find out more here.
Restoring Broadbent’s Bath House
A new gallery for the University of Huddersfield.
Corruption in the construction industry.
What will it take to stop it ?
To celebrate world bee day 2022 !
Just one month until the changes to part L come into effect.
Not forgetting part F and the new part overheating part O.
Heat Pump demand rises by one quarter.
As energy prices jump up in cost.
With people in the UK from Ukraine.
Industry leader Steve Murray takes on role.
An abundant and versatile building material.
How overheating complicates ending gas in the UK.
600,000 heat pump installations targeted per year by 2028.
Cost planning, control and related articles on DB.
Helping prevent those unwanted outcomes.
ICE debate Public transport - post pandemic.
How has transport changed due to Covid-19 ?
Cross-ventilation in buildings. Do you have it ?
Will you need it ? after June 15 and the new Part O ?
Share your knowledge with the industry.
Create an account and write the first of many articles.
The green jobs delivery group.
CIAT commentary after the first meeting.
Liverpool's world heritage site status
Who is to blame?
Research recommends focussing on portfolio success rather than project success.
ICE and BSI launch revised PAS 128 standard.
The revised standard for mapping underground utilities.