New Obbservatory build - questions for cladding

[turbo_pascale]

I've just managed to get my "new" dome mounted on the frrame (after 6 months of waiting for weather so I could get the crane back in to the back yard).

I now need to clad the frame.

I like the look of just the classic white weatherboard (but I don't want wood, not up for the maintenance).

I'm also perpetually over budget, so don't want to go crazy on the build.

The frame is 3.3m by 3m. I have a panel for a door (about 1m wide) and there are some potential window spaces as well.

I like the look of Greg Bradley's build (https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1597936&postcount=32), but I'm looking maybe for aliminium or anything that won't require any painting!

Next question is how to manage the roof (I think I'm going to see if I can talk to a roof plumber).

Lastly, I wanted some opinions on insulation and ventilation.
My previous dome was full fibreglass, so had no insulation. Outside of some condensation running down the inside of the dome, I never really had too many issues. Should I contemplate insulation (depending on the gladding material?)

Video to the current state of play of the build (https://youtube.com/shorts/5ygxqoBnQsE?feature=share).

[TrevorW]

Colourbond external, Plasterbaord internal :)

[leon]

Wow Rob, that looks great, I am sure you will be happy with that build.

Now you say you don't like wood because of the maintenance, however wood does have the best thermal qualities.

Just my two cents worth.

Leon

[Leo.G]

The Hardiplank (maybe not called that now) is easy to work with, score and snap and used to be reasonable priced. Plus it will hold a finish as well as any other external surfaces which is usually down to the quality of paint and preparation.


https://www.bunnings.com.au/james-hardie-4200-x-230-x-7-5mm-fc-woodgrain-hardiplank-weatherboard_p0716249


If you do go this way shop around for pricing, Bunnings are often far from the cheapest building supplies (especially metals).


Speaking of Bunnings, when I did a garden shed in my back yard utilising an old semi busted garden shed I was given I went to Bunnings and acquired the cover sheets from the packs of Colorbond steel fence panels free. They are often marked (tiny marks) and they throw them out. My entire front wall on the shed is done with the coloured fence panels and looks good. The local Bunnings no longer sells the stuff but other regions do.

[mental4astro]

If you have condensation, then two things - 1, how is the water getting inside? 2, a dehumidifier with a drainage hose plumbed to bleed outside the structure.

Insulation is all part of the thermal management of your gear. Allow it to get hot & nearly everyone blames the design of thier scope for its poor thermal performance instead of blaming themselves for letting their gear get hot in the first place. This starts with the colour of the paint on the outside of the obs followed by insulation and then temp regulation measures inside the obs. So if you haven't clad the structure yet, them sarking first before the cladding on the outside. On the inside, this is something that should have been considered from the very design stage, not backtracking. Coolroom panels would be the ultimate.

[ChrisM]

Hi Rob,

In 2008, I used 'surf mist' Mini-orb cladding, fixed to the timber frame with 30 x 16-10 Ripple Tek screws. Mini-orb is still sold today.

The observatory walls are 3.0 metres high, and from memory, each sheet was 860 wide.

Mini-orb looks great, and apart from an occasional wipe-down with a wet broom, it doesn't need any maintenance.

Cheers, Chris