Coping stones are flat stones that are installed on the top of a free-standing wall. They are almost always found on freestanding walls as they form a protective covering. The stones prevent any rain that falls from entering the wall and weakening it from inside.
The stones have a function known as a drip check. This is the way that they are designed in order to deflect water off of the wall. Most coping stones are made from a very strong concrete.
They also serve an aesthetic purpose. A wall without coping will look unfinished and messy. If you are after an air of luxury on your property, you are going to want to get some coping installed.
Coping stones can be once weathered or twice weathered. This refers to the shape of the upper surface of the stone. A coping stone that has been weathered once will only slope off to one side. This directs the water off the edge of the stone and into a designated area, such as a gutter. This kind of coping stone is commonly found on the top of buildings to help with rainfall control. Twice weathered coping stones are similar in shape to an upside-down V. There are slopes on either side to direct as much water off and away from the wall as possible. These are commonly found on balustrades and garden walls.