Q: Renovation at the Kansas Statehouse cost a pretty penny - more than $300 million! It took $22 million for the copper top alone. How many pounds of copper did it take to put a new roof and dome on the Kansas Statehouse?
67,000 pounds?
97,000 pounds?
Or… 127,000 pounds?
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A: 127,000 pounds
According to Treanor Architects, the $22 million copper roof and dome replacement, completed in late December of 2013, utilized approximately 127,000 pounds of new copper. Likewise, approximately 127,000 pounds of existing copper were recycled and portions of the old copper roof and dome were salvaged for re-use in the building's visitor center.
The copper top dome of the Kansas Statehouse is a patented design and has captured the attention of citizens and visitors alike for more than 100 years. But it's not just the copper dome. The roof itself is covered with long-lasting copper. The east and west wing roofs are covered with 24,700-square feet of 20-ounce copper batten seam roofing. The central, north and south wing roofs are finished with a hybrid horizontal and standing seam roof constructed of 20-ounce copper to replicate the historic roof. In short, the capitol building is covered in a lot of copper and should last another hundred years or more. But don't take our word for it, go see for yourself. Touring the Kansas Statehouse should be at the top of every Kansan's travel to-do list!
Kansas State Capitol Historic Tours
Plan Your Visit to the Kansas State Capitol
Fun factoid: You can also tour the Kansas Statehouse dome! Beware though, there are a lot of steps - 296 to be exact.
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