Paving slabs as coping?

[MrsRenovator]

Hello.

I need coping for a metre high brick wall that is approx 30cm depth...and 18.5 m long! I want it flat and concrete coloured. I really like the look of this
https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk...concrete-coping-stone-600mm-x-350mm-grey.html
But its nearly £400. The 600x400mm is nearer £500.

So my question is, if I can find some 350x600 paving slabs, can I use them instead? (I know they won't have a drip groove.)

Also, does a 350x600 smooth concrete slab exist? I haven't managed to find one with Google yet. And will I save any money?

What have you experienced?

Thanks

 

[Burnerman]

I've never come across flags 350 x 600 and like you say they won't have a drip groove.....pretty essential to prevent water getting into the bond, freezing and popping the slab away.
Personally I'd go for what you see there - drip grooved and possibly tapered, ideal to cast the water away. Its not the sort of job you are going to do more than once so go for it!
John

 

[MrsRenovator]

Thanks. Unfortunately I've been adopting that attitude a bit too much lately! I feel as though I've been jettisoning money.

But I'll give it a bit more thought. My dad always taught me it's not what it costs that you should look at, but rather, you should look at the difference in price between what you want and the basic product that in all probability you don't really want. Then ask yourself, am I prepared to pay the extra?

So I suppose I might aswell pay the extra for a nice wall as pay less for an ugly wall....?

 

[Burnerman]

If you do find some flags / slabs that you fancy, you could always cut a drip groove with an angle grinder......not particularly difficult with care, and probably worth while.
Good luck with your project!
John

 

[scbk]

If you're not in a rush, keep an eye on gumtree, or ask round locally, there might be someone taking a wall down, or surplus from a job.

Standard size for the large paving slabs is 2x2 and 3x2. You usually see them 2nd hand for a couple quid each.

 

[MrsRenovator]

Thanks. Yes I've been doing that for a while. Round my area they don't seem to use Gumtree much, but I've looked at eBay. Nothing much there. And when there is it's hardly a bargain.

 

[MrsRenovator]

I'm back with the finished result, in case someone else asks the same question.

In the end I got paving slabs. And I think they look good. As I drove around for a month obsessively looking at walls, I realised that lots of people have used paving as coping.

These are Bowland, Lakeland - Cumbrian Slate colour. 600 x 400. They also do 400 x 400 and 200 x 400.

 

[MrsRenovator]

 

[Burnerman]

It looks like a splendid job and you should be well pleased with that!
John

 

[conny]

Looks splendid! Did you do it all yourself, including building the wall?
Don't think you will need to do anything to that for many a year, so money well spent.

 

[MrsRenovator]

Looks splendid! Did you do it all yourself, including building the wall?
Don't think you will need to do anything
to that for many a year, so money well spent.

Ha ha, I wish. No, we did the digging out of the old hedge and did the footings. And I had all the materials delivered here ready. Then 2 local lads came with mixer, plasticiser and barrow and did the excellent brickwork you can see in the photo.They did exactly what I wanted. All I had to do was brew tea. I couldn't be more pleased with the result.

 

[conny]

First question when a worker(s) come to our house is, "Tea or coffee?" Later, if they are working well the wife will ask, "Bacon, sausage or both on your butty?"
Never seems to fail to ensure a good job. Oh, and just leave them to get on with it. Shows you trust them rather than them thinking you are inspecting as they progress.