CONCRETE BASE - ADVICE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED

Will need three of them, Cjt2014

 

Thanks, CJ, I did some earlier research and copied the first image of that site. I'm going to get in a local builder [a reliable one!!] to do the job but I wanted to get some advise from members to see if what I think are the right spec are the right specs!!!

 

I could, Joolz, but it would rot and deteriorate after some years, plus walking around on it would cause vibrations which is exactly what I don't want. It would also mean I would have to put in what they called a pier into the ground to separate my equipment from any vibrations. I would prefer having a choice and then later on, if I wanted to, bolt on a pier to the concrete base.

 

Plan D:

Use your loft space, gets you above the skyline and unobstructed views by neighbouring trees/buildings. Also means you don't lose precious garden space, don't have so much hassle with electrics and heating.

If you went for something cheap and cheerful like this you won't need pp or building regs unless you are in a conservation area. It will work out cheaper than a bespoke building outdoors, and if you put in a good quality loft ladder and properly insulated clad the loft space it will add value to your property:



or the full monty:

 

Would it be easier to have the sub-base with MOT Type 1?

 

Hi JWK, good to hear from you. I did contemplate a loft conversion as an alternative.

Actually it won't and could cost up to 3 times as much according to some of the quotes I received. You're right,of course, that it would get me above the skyline and a proportion of unobstructed views by neighbouring trees/buildings. But most Astronomers don't use the first 30 degrees due to it being the longest point of observation through our somewhat turbulent and thick atmmosphere as it the most difficult to get a clear image, so skyline is not a real problem.
My garden faces ever so slightly to the SouthWest [just one or two degrees from South]. So if I installed a loft conversion I could only look to the South, and partially to the East and West. Whereas a Dome Observatory would allow me to look in all directions, be easy to supply power to, be weather proof, be big enough to be comfortable in and shield me from direct light pollution.

That is true, but it's also true that I would have to be pushing up Daisies for the House to be for sale.........and therefore the value of the House would not be of interest to me!!!!

I did originally plan on installing the Dome onto the flat roof of the Garage, but again the loss of Workshop space, cost of strengthening the roof, and more importantly the prominence of it in view made me move on to another plan.

Hi kindredspirit, I've see the addition of fibre to concrete mention several times while I was trying to find out how much, and what kind, of concrete I would need. It does seem to be a better alternative to Rebar or Mesh, I will have to find out if our local supplier of concrete actually has it in his products.

Too true!! I don't mind spending a bit of money but I do object to spilling my Red Stuff