Coping (architecture) in the context of "Balustrade"

Coping (from cope, Latin capa) is the capping or covering of a wall. A splayed or wedge coping is one that slopes in a single direction; a saddle coping slopes to either side of a central high point.

Coping may be made of stone, brick, clay or terracotta, concrete or cast stone, tile, slate, wood, thatch, or various metals, including aluminum, copper, stainless steel, steel, and zinc. Stone coping used in contemporary landscaping is sometimes referred to as a "wall cap" in the US, with the stones referred to as capstones. In the UK coping is distinct from capping in that the former has an overhang with a drip groove, whereas the latter is flush with the face of the wall below. In all cases it should have a weathered (slanted or curved) top surface to throw off the water.