Backyard Observatory
Bring your passion for astronomy closer to home with a purpose-built Backyard Observatory featuring a motorized roll-off roof, dedicated warm room, and space to keep your telescope setup ready.
Get a Quote- Motorized Roll-Off Observatory Roof
- Insulated Warm Room
- Vinyl Observation Deck
- Electrical Package Included
- More info, prices and options
Why a Backyard Observatory Means More Time Under the Stars
A Backyard Observatory gives your telescope, mount, cameras, and astronomy equipment a permanent home, so you can spend less time carrying gear outside and more time observing or capturing the night sky.
The motorized roll-off roof transforms the structure into a purpose-built roll-off roof observatory, opening the main observing area for wide sky access while your equipment can remain set up and protected between sessions. A dedicated insulated warm room provides space for computers, electronics, storage, or a comfortable break during longer nights.
Whether you enjoy visual astronomy or astrophotography, Stoltzfus Structures can help you plan a home observatory around your equipment, property, and observing goals.
BACKYARD OBSERVATORY PRICES
Prices shown are meant to be a guide and don’t include delivery or custom features. Once you find your size, click “Get A Quote” and fill out the form to submit your ideas to a project manager, who will reach out to you with a full quote!
| Sizes | Vinyl |
| 8 x 8 | $18,070 |
| 8 x 10 | $20,245 |
| 8 x 12 | $22,440 |
| 8 x 14 | $24,625 |
| 10 x 10 | $24,055 |
| 10 x 12 | $27,105 |
| 10 x 14 | $30,650 |
| 12 x 12 | $30,925 |
| 12 x 14 | $32,735 |
Backyard Observatory Options
| Door Hinges | |
| Standard Hinge |
Single $8 Double $15 |
| Garden Hinge |
Single $6 Double $12 |
| Strap Hinge |
Single $18 Double $35 |
| Door Handles | |
| Standard Garage Door Latch | |
| Garden Shed Latch | |
| Carriage Garage Door Latch | |
| Standard Latch | |
| Flower Boxes | |
| Wood Flower Box | $60 |
|
Vinyl Flower Box
Black Metal Roof (Aluminum)
|
$60 |
| Wood Shed Series | |
| Black Metal Roof (Aluminum) | |
| 18" | $290 |
| Vinyl Shed Series | |
| Black Metal Roof (Aluminum) | |
| 18" | $340 |
| Classic Wood Series | |
| Copper (Concave) | |
| 20" | $620 |
| 24" | $670 |
| Classic Vinyl Series | |
| Copper (Concave) | |
| 20" | $740 |
| 24" | $790 |
| Window Series – Wood | |
| Copper (Concave) | |
| 20" | $790 |
| 24" | $840 |
| Window Series – Vinyl | |
| Copper (Concave) | |
| 20" | $790 |
| 24" | $840 |
| Vents | |
| Standard (Wood building) Gable Vent | $50 each |
| Standard (Vinyl building) Vent | $50 each |
| Wood Garden Vent | $70 each |
| Vinyl Garden Vent | $70 each |
| Ridge Vent | $11 per ft |
| Vented Soffit | $7 per ft |
| Interior | |
| Loft – per sq/ft | $3.00 |
| Shelf 16" Deep | $5.00 / linear foot |
| Tote Shelf - 30” deep x 70 ¼” High |
1 row of 4
$160
2 rows of 4
$300
3 rows of 4
$430
|
| Workbench – per linear ft. | $7.00 |
| Roofing Materials | |
| No Shingles | Less 4% |
| Standing Seam | $12.50 per sq/ft |
| Ribbed Metal Roof | $4.50 per sq/ft |
| Roof Options | |
| Hip Roof | $795 |
| Dormer Package | $975 |
| Gutters and Downspouts | |
| Gutter and Downspouts | $9 per ft |
| Leaf Guard for Gutters | $4 per ft |
| Special Order Colors (not white, hunter, or khaki) | Additional $100 |
Backyard Observatory Features
- 4 X 4 Pressure Treated Foundation Runners
- 2 X 4 Floor joist with 5/8” Smart Finish Wood Flooring
- 7′ Walls
- Cedar Creek Vinyl Siding ½” Wood Sheating
- 2 – 18” X 27” Sliding Windows w/ Screens
- Insulated House Door (Solid)
- 2 X 4 Rafters 16” OC
- 5-Pitch Roof
- 2 X 4 Rafters 16” OC
- 5-Pitch Roof
- 2 X 4 Laths on Roof 24” OC
- Double Bubble R-9 Insulation in Roof under Metal
- 40 Yr Galvalume Metal Roofing
- Exterior Deck with Vinyl Decking (Deck is Half the Length of Skyshed)
- (Example Deck Size:: 12×14 Shed has 12×7 Deck Area)
- Warm Room Built in Deck Area (Includes 1 Insulated 24” x 27” window)
- Warm Room is insulated and finished w/ beaded plywood
- Pressure Treated 6×6 Posts on Deck
- Galvanized Rail with LVL Headers
- Galvanized Rollers on Track for Roof to Slide
- 1/2 Commercial Horse Garage Door Motor with Sprocket drive to Open Roof (Includes 1- Remote)
- Basic Electric Package Including:
- 70 AMP Breaker Box
- 2 – Lights
- 2 – Switches
- 2 – Receptacles
We have always said Backyard Observatories are great for storing recreational belongings or for a workstation on your latest hobby project, so why not enjoy a custom home observatory shed specifically for those amateur astronomers to take stargazing to the next level.
Having a Backyard Observatory allows for comfortable and convenient year-round use. Before there were many options on the market, many hobbyists used shed-kits to create their own Backyard Observatory. Of course this was time consuming and inconvenient, but it did allow them to keep their telescopes and other equipment setup permanently. Our home observatory eliminates wasting time to take equipment out of storage for set up!
Some photographers who shoot high-resolution pictures of the sky, especially at night, use our Backyard Observatory. However, photographers who only want more storage space are more likely to use one of our other storage sheds.
We now offer a much better solution to a DIY setup for your backyard observatory. We started by using a plan for one of our most popular sheds and added a convenient roll off roof. We also included helpful features such as electrical outlets. Our roll-off observatory shed is a great choice for all stargazing enthusiasts. Instead of having to lift off the roof of an observatory, these roofs can be rolled to one side and easily moved back afterword to protect the equipment. In addition, because they look similar to traditional sheds, our Backyard Observatory still look nice sitting in your yard.
Size options go to a 12 X 14 Backyard Observatory. Check out the sky shed choices below for further options and pricing details. We’ll work with you to create a custom observatory shed for your individual requests.
Because of all the moving parts that require some ongoing maintenance, the Backyard Observatory come with a standard 1-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty.
If you are looking for a great site to buy Astronomy equipment please visit: www.skiesunlimited.com
Paint / Shingle Colors for Backyard Observatories
Paint Colors
Vinyl Colors
Shingle Colors
Dual Black
Earthtone Cedar
Dual Brown
Weather Wood
Dual Gray
Charcoal Gray
National Blue
Vintage Green
Interactive Product Configurator
Use our 2D configurator to customize your interior options:
Classic Acacia
Blonde Ale
Gray Ash
Aged Hickory
Black Sands
Smartside
Another Smartside Example
Burned Interior
Pine Tongue & Groove
White Washed Pine Tongue & Groove
Get a Quote on a Backyard Observatory
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