Copings are used as a method for joining two mouldings together at right angles as it is a method of joinery. The same term is also used to describe the capping or the covering on the top of a wall. Within this definition there are two main types of coping, the first is called a splayed or wedge coping and slopes only in one direction, while the second will slope to either side of a raised central point, this is called a saddle coping. The coping itself may be made of stone, brick, tile, slate, metal, wood or thatch, and in all cases it should be weathered to throw of water and protect the wall beneath.

It is in Romanesque work that copings tend to appear plain and flat and will project over the wall with a throating. You will find that in later work a steep slope is employed on the outer side of the weathering. These began with an astragal at the top and in the decorated style there were two or three sets. Later in the perpendicular Period these took a section of wave like form and the copings mouldings continues around to the sides, top and bottom.