Metal Coping Fabrication for Parapet Walls - Portland, OR
Precision parapet coping with built-in drainage slope, drip edges, and end dams. Complete coping packages including corners and end caps. Fabricated for roofing and masonry contractors in Portland, OR and the Pacific Northwest.
Metal Coping for Parapet Walls - Portland, OR
Parapet coping is the sheet metal cap installed on top of exposed parapet walls on commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings. It protects the wall from water infiltration at the most vulnerable point. The top provides a finished, architectural edge to the building's roofline.
PDX Panels fabricates precision parapet coping for roofing and masonry contractors within 100 miles of Portland, OR. We brake-form to SMACNA standards, build in the required drainage slope, and can fabricate corners, end caps, and complete coping packages for any wall geometry.
What Goes Into a Properly Specified Coping
Drainage Slope: SMACNA requires a minimum 1/4" per foot slope to each side for metal coping. This slope must be built into the coping profile itself. Shimming under flat material is not an acceptable substitute. All coping we fabricate includes this slope as standard.
Width and Overhang: The cap must cover the full wall width with minimum 1" overhang on each face. Wider overhangs improve wind-driven rain protection and are recommended for taller parapet walls.
Drip Edge: Both faces of the coping need a drip profile. A small outward kick or hem at the bottom of the face causes water to drip free rather than tracking back against the wall face.
End Dams: Returns at the ends of each coping run prevent water from flowing off the end of a piece and behind the next piece in the run. We fabricate end dams as part of your coping package.
Cleats: Concealed sheet metal cleats are the industry-standard fastening method for metal coping. They're screwed to the substrate first, then the coping clips over them. No exposed fasteners, no holes in the cap.
Coping for Masonry Walls
Masonry coping is the cap on brick, CMU, stone, or concrete walls that aren't part of a parapet assembly. It follows the same principles as parapet coping. The top of any exposed masonry wall needs to be protected from water entry and freeze-thaw damage.
We fabricate masonry coping in all standard materials and can accommodate any wall width. For masonry applications, we can also fabricate the base flashing and through-wall flashing that integrates with the coping to form a complete water management assembly for the wall.
Profiles, Materials, and Finishes
Coping profiles range from simple flat caps with hemmed returns to complex architectural shapes with multiple bends, drip legs, and integral cleats. We fabricate whatever profile your wall geometry and architectural intent require.
Standard materials for parapet coping: 24-gauge galvanized steel (G-90), 0.040" aluminum, 0.050" aluminum for wider cap widths, 20-oz copper, and Kynar-coated steel or aluminum in any standard or custom architectural color.
For coping that will be prominently visible on the building facade, Kynar-coated aluminum is the most common specification. Durable factory color matches the building's design palette without field painting or coating.
Standard Details
Download our tested parapet coping standard details - verified per ANSI/SPRI/FM 4435/ES-1 requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What slope should coping have?
SMACNA requires a minimum 1/4" per foot slope to each side. This slope must be built into the coping profile. Shimming under flat material is not compliant. All coping from PDX Panels includes the correct drainage slope.
What materials do you fabricate coping in?
We fabricate in 24-gauge galvanized steel, 0.040" and 0.050" aluminum, 20-oz copper, and Kynar-coated steel or aluminum. Available in mill finish or in factory colors matching most architectural color palettes.
Do you do custom profiles?
Yes. Every coping job is custom to the wall width. We can also fabricate non-standard profiles for unique architectural conditions. Bring us a drawing or description and we'll quote it.
Do you include corners and end caps?
Yes. We can fabricate a complete coping package including straight runs, inside corners, outside corners, and end caps. Everything you need for the full wall run.
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