Durango Skies specializes in roll-off roof observatories for astronomy enthusiasts.
We design and install custom home observatories, ranging from modest structures to sophisticated, fully automated configurations.
All aspects of our observatory construction utilize standard building practices.
And as a dealer for telescopes, mounts, piers and accessories, we can provide the complete solution.
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Construction photos from an 8x10 installation (click image) |
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Our observatory article written for Astronomy Technology Today (click image) |
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Foundation - The foundation on our roll-off roof observatories is either a wood deck or concrete slab. Our standard deck framework is built on concrete caissons and constructed from properly sized lumber, followed by a sub-floor of OSB sheets glued and nailed to the floor joists and finished with a pine board floor.
Walls, Windows & Doors - All walls are built with 2x4 construction followed by exterior sheathing. The customer has a choice on the style and type of siding. Choices range from real wood to engineered lap panels or stucco sheets. All doors are custom ordered to fit the wall height of the observatory. Windows are commercially available wood or vinyl styles with dual pane coated glass.
Roof System - Our roof system utilizes engineered trusses that roll on heavy duty v-groove rollers on an angle iron track. The roof trusses are designed to meet requirements, such as snow load, for your area. The number and load capacity of the roof rollers will vary depending on the size of the roof. Trusses are covered with roof sheathing, roof paper and steel roof panels in the color of your choice.
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| Observatory Size: |
8x10 |
10x10 |
10x12 |
10x14 |
12x16 |
14x18 |
| Base Installation: |
$5,400 |
$5,900 |
$6,600 |
$7,000 |
$9,200 |
$11,600 |
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| Steel Door: |
+ $250 |
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| Installed Deadbolt: |
+ $100 |
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| Residential Sytle Windows: |
Market price plus installation. Call for options and lead times. |
| Control / Warm Room: |
Many variations available, call for quote. |
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- The pricing listed above serves as a guideline for a standard observatory and installation on level, buildable ground.
The actual cost is dependent on the options you choose and your building site.
- Payment terms are 25% in advance and the balance upon completion of the installation.
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| Travel Charges |
| Mileage: |
0 - 51 |
51 - 150 |
151 - 300 |
300+ |
| Additional charge: |
$0 |
$400 |
$600 |
$800 |
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- The milage specified above is from Durango, CO to your location
- Delivery charges cover the mileage to/from your location and lodging.
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Here are 7 easy steps for choosing the observatory that is right for you and getting your project started...
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The size of your observatory is determined by your needs and the amount land you have for building. Remember that a roll-off needs
at least twice its length in space to hold the roof in the "off" position. So an 8' x 10' roll-off roof will need at least 8' x 20'
of ground space for construction.
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There are two styles of floors for your observatory: concrete slab and wood deck. A concrete slab floor is poured directly on grade whereas the wood deck floor
is raised several inches above grade using either concrete caissons or pre-formed concrete piers. Here are general guidelines for determining which style of floor
will work best for you:
- If you have a flat building site, either style will work.
- If you have an uneven building site, a wood deck with concrete caissons or pre-formed concrete piers should be used so that the deck can be leveled.
- If you are building a large deck, live in a high wind area or have unstable / expansive soil, concrete caissons are the recommended approach
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| Concrete Slab |
Wood Deck with Concrete Caissons |
Wood Deck with Pre-Formed Concrete Piers |
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Most of our installations utilize engineered siding, which provides uniformity, strength and durability. Engineered siding comes in many styles and is pre-primed and ready for final painting. If you prefer real wood siding,
we recommend the shiplap style which provides excellent protection against weather. Examples of common engineered and solid wood styles are shown below.
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Fabral's classic Grandrib 3 profile is one of the most versatile steel panels in the industry. The 3/4 inch high ribs on nine inch centers
create an attractive board and batten look while providing extra strength. Grandrib 3's industrial strength steel provides exceptional
durability and wind resistance as well as excellent hail and fire resistance ratings.
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Be sure to check your local building regulations early in your observatory planning process. Cities, sub-divisions or home owners associations
my require a building permit for the size of observatory you are thinking about. Also check to make sure there are no special easements,
right-of-ways or setbacks where you plan to build your observatory. Knowing your local building regulations can save you from major headaches
down the road.
Also, be sure to check with your local utilities companies to make sure there are no buried cables or gas lines under where you plan
to build your observatory.
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Durango Skies has put together a site questionaire that will help us better understand the type of observatory you are planning.
The questionaire is quick and easy to fill out and guides you through questions on your proposed building site, telescope you plan on housing
in your observatory, and the type of telescope mount. Once you have completed the site questionaire, please email/fax/mail it back to us, along with any
pictures you can provide of the site and your equipment.
Site Questionaire (Microsoft Word) (31 kb)
Site Questionaire (PDF) (86 kb)
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We work with you on all facets of your observatory to make sure that it fits your site and your needs. We have the engineering tools inhouse
to design a custom observatory, adapt your observatory to your site or calculate the proper telescope pier height. Below are some examples of
work we have done for customers (click on the diagram for a full-size view).
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| Layout for a 10'x14' observatory |
Determining the height for concrete telescope piers |
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