Finishing The Top of a Wall... With Paving Slabs? [Pics]

[ILikeDIYS]

Hi, I built a wall but am confused over how to finish it at the top. I want some sort of coping all the way around... but have strugged to find reasonably priced cream coloured apex coping here in Hertfordshire (reasonably priced = about £5 for a double brick wall piece).

Because of this I popped over to BnQ and bought a paving slab and cut it... but with a rough edge. Is there any way I can smooth this cut edge out to make it look nice?

Also after I cut the slab I realised it's only marginally bigger than the thickness of the wall... do you think it would look better if it hanged off a little more? How would you finish of this wall? Thanks.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

I've had a similar issue with coping stones (you want how much?) and done the same trick more or less. The cut edge- set it at the side that you will be looking at least. You could try polishing it but think you'd spend ages not getting very far.

I also went for a bit more overhang (about 30mm on mine).

Final thing- coping stones usually have a groove on the underside so rain hitting the top of the stone doesn't track back under it and into the wall. It would be wise to replicate that groove or run a bead of silicon to form a drip edge (the groove will be invisible, the silicon might look a bit poo in your location).

EDIT Don't worry too much about the groove on that retaining wall, damp isn't really going to be an issue is it?

 

[WabbitPoo]

If you go for real stone slabs, you can cut them and still leave a natural edge, especially if you dont make the cut too perfect. Choose slabs wide enough to do the job.