How to hide a gas meter in the kitchen: norms and requirements + popular methods of disguise

Kitchen renovations are not only expensive, but also time-consuming.It is necessary not only to select furniture and correctly design the arrangement of household appliances, but also to take care of safe and appropriate masking of gas equipment elements. Agree that a gas meter sticking out above the work surface will ruin the look of even the most original kitchen interior.

The gas service, of course, is not delighted with the creative ideas of many households for decorating meters. In this article we will tell you how to hide a gas meter in the kitchen without violating accepted standards and requirements. Let's select several simple and affordable ways to disguise a gas appliance. We will also consider the nuances of its transfer.

Requirements for placing a gas meter

You cannot install a gas meter yourself. Installation must be carried out by a gas service or a contractor authorized to carry out such work (according to RF PP No. 410 from 05/14/13).

Gorgaz workers should offer a place to install the meter, but not insist on this option. That is, you need to choose the optimal solution that will suit the homeowner and not violate the requirements described in SNiP 42-01-2002. However, the size of the kitchen and installed household appliances do not always allow you to choose the most convenient option.

When choosing an installation location, a number of conditions are taken into account: ease of repair, readings, maintenance, and so on.So it turns out that the employees are installing counters in the kitchen in the most visible place

Requirements and recommendations for placement of the flow meter:

• meters are installed only in ventilated rooms with natural ventilation;
• devices cannot be installed near a gas stove or sink - moisture and heat should not reach the flow meter;
• recommended distance of kitchen appliances and equipment to gas equipment is indicated in the meter passport (at least 80 cm);
• install the meter at a height of 1.6 m or more;
• You cannot install the device close to the wall, you need to leave a gap of 3-5 cm;
• gas meters installed on the street must be placed under a canopy or in a special cabinet.

Also, you cannot install measuring instruments in enclosed spaces or on a support that is located remotely from a residential property. We discussed in more detail the standards and process for installing a gas meter in next article.

It is not recommended to place meters near door and window openings. The minimum horizontal distance should be 0.5 m or more

For non-compliance with the rules, the gas service may issue a fine. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with what other fines for gas meters.

Gas workers also “don’t like it” if appliances are placed in niches.

Options for masking gas meters

In new buildings, you can somehow plan in advance and choose a place for the meter so that it is not in plain sight.

In old apartment buildings, in 90% of cases the devices are located in the most visible place. Of course, you want to hide such a device or decorate it somehow. Therefore, we will figure out whether it is possible to close the gas meter yourself or whether you still need to seek help from specialists.

Many people hide counters in the kitchen in various cabinets. Such placement is acceptable if the furniture is mounted on the wall and does not bear a load on the device. The cabinet does not need to be airtight

It is not prohibited to mask flow meters, the main thing is that safety rules are followed and inspectors can easily take readings about gas consumption. So, you can hide the meter on your own, but the decor should not interfere with repair work and replacing the meter. If you have any doubts about the choice of material for decoration or cabinetry, you can consult with specialists.

Before covering the gas meter in your kitchen, you first need to decide on the masking method and choose the appropriate material. You cannot change the location of the device yourself. For these purposes, you need a project and permission from the gas service.

The most popular option among users is to hide the flow meter in a kitchen cabinet or a separately ordered pencil case that will match the furniture in color and style.

It is easy to hide the counter if it is located on the same wall as the furniture in the kitchen. You just need to remove the back wall of the cabinet and/or cut a hole for the device

In addition, the gas meter can be embedded into a wall, covered with a special box or box, or a special box can be made.

There are many methods for decorating and camouflaging gas equipment. It is important that the devices remain freely accessible. Next, we will consider the most successful camouflage options.

Option #1 - hide in a wall cabinet

It is most convenient to hide the counter in kitchen furniture. Especially if, when selecting a set, the kitchen has already been designed and the required cabinet will hang exactly above the device.

Wall cabinets with counters do not have a back wall or a cutout is made in it.

If the gas meter is installed after the furniture has been installed in the kitchen, then the wall cabinet can be ordered separately. Furniture makers will help you choose a module that suits the style and will make it in the color of the kitchen set

An example of a cabinet for a gas meter with a double bottom. Holes for the display and pipe valves were cut into the fiberboard wall. At any time you can look at the readings and, if necessary, turn off the gas

If the counter is located closer to the window, you can install a cabinet with a false wall on magnets.

In such a cabinet, the gas meter is placed behind an additional wall. When the door is open, the device is not visible. On the shelf below you can place kitchen utensils or seasonings

It is better not to store anything on a shelf placed close to gas equipment, so as not to block access to the device.

The most successful and functional examples of installing gas meters are presented in the photo below:

Kitchen furniture ideally hides gas meters. With proper planning, you can hide other gas equipment in it: pipes or column, or other devices.

Option #2 - masking with drywall

You can cover the gas meter using plasterboard sheets. The method does not require large expenditures and is quite simple to implement.

Required materials and tools:

• screwdriver and screws;
• moisture-resistant drywall;
• metal scissors;
• building level;
• metal profile (for fastening drywall).

Creating a design begins with markings on the wall. Next, a frame of metal guides is installed.

When constructing a box from a metal profile, it should be remembered that its dimensions should provide free access to the gas appliance so that readings can be taken without interference and scheduled maintenance can be carried out

The steel frame is attached to the wall using self-tapping screws, the vertical and horizontal are set strictly according to the level.

The finished box is covered with plasterboard. The joints of the sheets are sealed with putty, and the surface is treated with a primer. After the product has dried, sand the surface until smooth.

The plasterboard box can be painted, finished with ceramic tiles or covered with wallpaper. Facades made of lattice panels or decorated in an antique style look beautiful. The main thing is that the design of the product fits into the interior of the kitchen

This method of masking gas equipment is simple, but it is not suitable for small kitchens. Because it hides useful space.

Option #3 - decorating with scrap materials

Other materials can be used to disguise the meter: wooden paneling, plywood, plastic, plexiglass, etc. In these cases, the box is not stationary, but can be easily dismantled.

Polycarbonate is also used to make the structure; it lends itself well to cutting. To bend the material, you just need to make cuts in the places of the stiffeners. The product is bent in the shape of the letter “P” and mounted on the wall. Be sure to drill holes in the box for ventilation.

In general, panels for a masking structure are made from any available material. It should be remembered that the product must be removable. You can make a small cabinet or box for the counter from MDF or chipboard.And the color variety will allow you to choose the best stove for any kitchen.

If the gas meter is placed above the working surface of the table, then you can independently make a frameless removable box made of thick cardboard or fiberboard under it. Blanks are cut out of the material for the front and side walls, as well as the top cover. Glue all the parts together with a glue gun (hot glue). The result is a case in the form of a box without a back wall. You can decorate the box with ornaments, cover it with wallpaper or decorate it in decoupage style.

It turns out beautiful if you use white Oracal to decorate a homemade case. You can decorate the box with a flower or an ornament cut from self-adhesive film of a different color

The finished box is small in size and will definitely not spoil the interior of the kitchen. In addition, such a product will additionally perform a protective function: during cooking, you can accidentally catch the meter seal, otherwise it will be hidden under the box.

Sometimes there are creative ways of disguise. We have posted the most interesting and functional options in the gallery below.

Nuances of moving a gas meter

It is, of course, easier to disguise gas equipment in houses that are just being put into operation: you can think through the furniture elements in advance and choose the most convenient location for placing the appliances.

In old high-rise buildings, things are different. In a kitchen with an area of ​​6 square meters, there can be no question of installing an additional cabinet or plasterboard decor to cover the counter. Therefore, many people try to get permission from the gas service to move the measuring device. This procedure is quite complicated: it requires a project and compliance with a large number of formalities.

If the “9 circles of hell” have been completed and the procedure has been agreed upon, you need to wait for a specialist to carry out the transfer of the device, followed by sealing.

Some people move the counter outside the kitchen. This could be a balcony, corridor or other place.

It is convenient to place the gas meter in the corridor. In a small niche it will not disturb anyone. In addition, the inspector will quickly be able to take readings and inspect the device

To prevent the gas meter from being conspicuous, you can decorate it or simply cover it with a beautiful curtain that can be easily pulled back and does not block access to the equipment

You can move the device to a corner of the kitchen, where it is easier to disguise it.

Sometimes homeowners are able to agree on installing the meter under the sink or countertop. In this case, the equipment does not interfere, but according to SNiP the installation is incorrect.

In terms of functionality, placing a gas meter under the sink is quite convenient. The device does not disturb the owner and does not spoil the interior with its appearance. But it is almost impossible to obtain permission to install the device in such a place: high humidity area, placement too low relative to the floor

If the desired transfer option was nevertheless agreed upon, it is imperative to keep the documents and the report so that problems do not arise in the future and a fine is not issued.

None of the proposed masking options appeals to you and you want to abandon installing it altogether? But can this be done legally? We considered the possibility of refusing to install a gas flow meter in our other article.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Instructions for creating a fiberboard box to disguise a gas meter can be seen in the video below:

Often the gas service installs gas meters in the most unpredictable and inconvenient places for homeowners. Some people do not pay attention to protruding gas equipment, while others try in every possible way to close it so as not to spoil the interior of the kitchen. Most often, the counter is hidden in a kitchen cabinet or in a self-made box, which is lined with plasterboard or other material.

What affordable and safe ways to disguise gas meters do you know? If you have interesting ideas on how to hide a gas meter, share with other users - below is the feedback form.