Repairing the dome

/

Workers with Renaissance Roofing, Inc. have finished the decorative pieces on the upper sections of the Capitol dome. The pieces were recreated from copper and painted to match the rest of the entablature on the building. The remaining copper will be gilded with gold leaf. Extensive work to the dome includes replacement and repair of the existing decorative sheet metal, repainting, roof repair, and re-gilding of the dome. The repairs will extend the life expectancy of the dome by over 75 years.

The lantern of the dome has been repaired.  The remaining copper will be gilded with gold leaf.

The decorative pieces on top of the dome have been recreated from copper and painted to match the rest of the entablature on the building. 

This photo in 2016 shows the damage,  which was mainly from hail and 129 years of life and weather deterioration. Hands-on investigations of the entire structure have documented punctures, tears, dents, failed seams, corrosion, paint coating failure, significant water leakage, and many missing and loose elements. Without the repairs, the life expectancy of the dome would be only another 15 years.

Side by side comparison of today's repairs versus what the dome looked like in 2016

Similar Posts

Featured
Capitol dome gilded in gold leaf
Capitol dome gilded in gold leaf

Highly skilled artisans with the Gilders’ Studio have restored the lustrous gold leaf finish on the Capitol dome, which is the culmination of significant restoration work on the dome. The gilding process used one Imperial ounce, that's 28 grams, of gold per 100 square feet, totaling about 7 ounces of gold.

Featured
Decorative pieces on the dome
Decorative pieces on the dome

Craftsmen with Renaissance Roofing, Inc. finished the decorative pieces on the lower sections of the Capitol dome. Due to extensive damage, the original pieces were removed and recreated from copper.

Decorative elements on dome
Decorative elements on dome

Just below the decorative elements on the dome, the wooden parts of the drum have been replaced with steel.

Dome scaffolding removal
Dome scaffolding removal

The gold-leafed dome shone during this beautiful May morning as workers took down the remaining scaffolding.

Drum restoration
Drum restoration

The drum, the section under the gold-leafed dome, has been cleaned and repaired.

Preparing to gild the dome
Preparing to gild the dome

The Gilder's Studio started preparation work to gild the new copper on the Capitol dome with 24-carat gold leaf. Because the copper is new, an etching solution is being applied so that the gold-leaf will adhere to the surface.

Repairing the dome
Repairing the dome

Workers with Renaissance Roofing, Inc. have finished the decorative pieces on the upper sections of the Capitol dome. The pieces were recreated from copper and painted to match the rest of the entablature on the building.

Molding the decorative pieces on the Capitol dome
Molding the decorative pieces on the Capitol dome

Workers with Renaissance Roofing, Inc. Renaissance Roofing, Inc. are molding the decorative pieces on the Capitol dome from copper. The entablature, cornice, and pediments at the top of the Capitol exterior are made of metal, not stone. The existing material, most of which is original to the building, is failing and is currently being repaired or replaced.

Spring
Spring

Spring has hit Cheyenne! The Hopa Crabapples are in bloom at the Capitol.

Snow day
Snow day

A little snow welcomed workers early this morning at the Capitol.

Work on the dome
Work on the dome

Interested in what is happening behind the Capitol dome's white covering? The dome is undergoing extensive restoration work.

Dome covered for restoration
Dome covered for restoration

The Capitol dome is covered for restoration. The repairs will extend the life expectancy of the dome by over 75 years.

Ice covered
Ice covered

A chilly day in Cheyenne! The scaffolding around the Capitol dome is coated with ice.