My astronomy project:
Building an Observatory
(or a playhouse for big boys and girls)

Content:

1. Frame
2. Roof
   1. Building the roof frame
   2. Building the door
   3. Building the hatch
   4. Mounting the roof panels
   5. Roof top panels
   6. Roof side panels
3. Roof mechanics
4. Floor

Note:
I take no responsibility or liability for what are written here, you use the information on your own risk!

Page II.6: Roof side panels

Spring and the snow gone. Time to startup the observatory project again, today side panels of the roof.

I bought a couple of used small pieces of plastic channeI panels. They have the thickness of 15 mm.

Start to cut them in correct size. They are not of same quality as the roof panels, they get cracks very easy so have to be handled with care.

The first side panel mounted, I drilled the holes to the screws a bit oversized so the panel can move a bit. With this the panels will not be stressed when the roof moves, prevent the panels to crack.

The second panel in place. It look nice but maybe I paint them on the inside.

The joint between the back and front roof will be a challenge to get tight but the over hang of the roof extend far away from the panels so its not very critical for rain inlet, but more to get it tight for birds and bugs.

A view from inside, during daytime it's very light in here, no damage inside during the winter.

A new day at the summer house and the observatory. Todays goal is to close the opening in the walls.

I cut a piece of what I have left of the channel plastic panels.

I have to figure cut an opening to the arm holder beam.

That was all, but the other side is left.

Winter inspection:

I haven't start to use my observatory yet, some heating problem in the house not solved. But regularly inspect it, this was a winter day. Ice and snow on top of the roof.

There is some water drops on the side panels. The wood strip has to be protected better, the outside of it slide along the arms when opening the roof. Otherwise I could have a drop strip.

Inside the observatory. During the winter, the moisture increases inside the building, see how the floor expands. In the summer it's almost 5 cm shorter. I couldn't find any water drops inside here, even the inside of the roof is dry.