Coping

Coping stones for walls are essential.  Coping on a stone wall is not only aesthetic, but also practical, such as weighting the top of the wall down, or protecting it from rain.

There are numerous different methods depending on local tradition, and or practicalities.  Some of these are:

• Flat topper
• Flat topper made from roofing stone
• Cock and hens
• Spill stone

Leaving a wall without coping looks unfinished, and is unfinished.  The top stones will slip if children or animals climb the wall.  Some walls are finished off with cement.  The issue with capping a free standing wall with mortar, is that the mortar does not allow for movement, and so the wall will become unbalanced over time, and fall.

There are lots of different ways of doing the coping, depending what you are looking at achieving. 

Speak to Jimmy on 01963 364200 (8 am - 3 pm Monday - Friday) to discuss the design of the wall, and what is required.

Cock and hens add weight to a wall where no mortar is being used, creating stability, also creating a barrier to prevent it being climbed.  They also look impressive, and are a practical method of often using bulkier stone that would not sit well within the wall itself.

Another method of finishing a wall is using a spill stone.  The spill stone is flat, and hangs over the top of the wall on both sides.  If the spill stones are small, and do not cover the top completely, they can be capped off with a with a line of larger rectangular stones on top, creating stability, and covering gaps.

A flat topper can also be used.  The stone can be dressed up to be exactly the right size, protecting the wall as well as giving a even tight finish.

Price of cock and hens - £50 per linear metre + VAT (approximately 7 linear metres to a tonne)

Flat coping stone - PoA phone the Quarry to discuss dimensions needed