|
Durango Skies Roll-Off Roof Observatories
|
|
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.
|
 |
 |
|
 |
| |
|
Construction photos from the Durango Skies Observatory (click image) |
|
Our observatory article in Astronomy Technology Today (click image) |
|
| |
Quality Observatory Construction |
|
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 and a finished pine 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.
|
|
| |
Observatory Base Pricing |
| Observatory Size: |
10x10 |
10x12 |
10x14 |
12x16 |
14x18 |
14x30 |
| Base Pricing: |
$5,900 |
$6,800 |
$7,800 |
$10,200 |
$13,300 |
$21,600 |
| |
The pricing listed above serves as a guideline for a standard observatory and installation on level, buildable ground.
The actual cost dependents on the observatory size, style, options you choose and your building site.
Base pricing includes: Walls; siding; finished roof; roof support system; and rolling system to make the roof fully operational.
The base price does not include the observatory foundation or telescope pier foundation.
|
| Travel Expense: |
Travel expenses include mileage to and from the job site and lodging and meals during observatory construction.
|
| Payment: |
Payment terms are 40% in advance and the balance upon completion.
|
|
|
| Deck Style: |
With this option, the observatory is to be built on a wood deck which rests on concrete caissons. The wood deck is an additional cost to the base pricing based on observatory size. Call for pricing. |
| Steel Door and Deadbolt: |
+ $375 |
|
| Residential Sytle Windows: |
Market price plus installation. Call for options and lead times. |
| Control / Warm Room: |
Many options available, call for quote. |
| Telescope Pier(s): |
See our Telescope Piers page for pricing. |
| 12v DC Power and Lighting: |
Many options available, call for quote. |
| Solar Power: |
See our Solar Power page for options. Call for an installation quote. |
|
|
Observatory Checklist |
|
Here is our checklist for choosing the observatory that is right for you and getting your project started.
|
Determining Your Observatory Size |
|
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.
|
Determining Your Observatory Floor |
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 concrete caissons. 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, and leveling the site would be difficult or impossible, a wood deck with concrete caissons should be used so that the deck can be leveled.
|
Observatory Siding Options |
|
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,
there are many different styles and wood types to choose from.
|
Observatory Roofing Options
Steel roofing comes in many different styles and colors and styles/colors can vary by the area of the country. Give us a call
and we can guide you on what is available in your area. If your house or an existing out building has a steel roof, we strive
to match the color and style so that your new observatory blends with the other buildings.
|
Local Regulations |
|
Be sure to check your local building regulations early in your observatory planning process. Cities, subdivisions 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.
|
Give Us A Call |
|
We work with you on all facets of your observatory to make sure that it fits your site and your needs. We have the tools inhouse
to design a custom observatory, adapt your observatory to your site or calculate the proper telescope pier height. If you are adding
an observatory to a new house or home addition, we work with your architect or general contractor, providing design and observatory
information needed to properly integrate the observatory.
We have 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 or fax
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
My Account | 
Cart | 
Checkout 
