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

Repair in the kitchen is not only an expensive, but also a laborious process. It is necessary not only to select furniture and correctly design the arrangement of household appliances, but also to take care of safe and also suitable in style masking elements of gas equipment. Agree that sticking out a gas meter above the work surface will spoil the look of even the most original kitchen interior.

The gas service, of course, is not enthusiastic about the creative ideas of many households on decorating meters. In this article we will tell you how to hide a gas meter in the kitchen without violating accepted standards and requirements. We pick up some simple and affordable ways to mask a gas appliance. And also consider the nuances of its transfer.

Gas meter placement requirements

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

Gorgaz workers should offer a place to install a 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 quadrature 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: the convenience of repairing, taking readings, servicing, and so on. So it turns out that employees are installing counters in the kitchen in a prominent place

Requirements and recommendations for the placement of the flow meter:

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

Also, it is impossible to install measuring instruments in enclosed spaces or on a support that stands remotely from a residential facility. More details on the norms and the process of installing a gas meter we examined in next article.

Counters are not recommended to be placed 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 be fined. We recommend that you also familiarize yourself with what else fines for gas meters.

And gas workers do not like it if the devices are placed in niches.

Gas meter masking options

In new buildings, you can somehow pre-plan and select a place for the meter so that it is not in sight.

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

Many people hide counters in the kitchen in various lockers. Such placement is permissible if the furniture is mounted on the wall and does not bear the load on the device. The cabinet must not be airtight

Masking flowmeters is not forbidden, the main thing is that the safety rules are observed, and the controllers can freely read the gas flow. So, you can hide the counter on your own, but the decor should not interfere with the repair work and counter replacement. If you have doubts about the choice of material for a decor or cabinet, you can consult with specialists.

Before you close the gas meter in your kitchen, you first need to decide on the masking method and select 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 flowmeter in the cabinet from the kitchen unit or a separately ordered pencil case, which will fit the furniture in color and style.

It’s easy to hide the counter if it is located on the same wall as the furniture in the kitchen. It will only be necessary to remove the back wall of the cabinet and / or cut a hole for the device

In addition, the gas meter can be cut into the wall, closed with a special box or box, as well as make a special box.

There are many methods of decorating and masking gas equipment. It is important that the devices remain freely accessible. Next, consider the most successful disguise options.

Option # 1 - hide in a wall cabinet

In kitchen furniture, the counter is most conveniently hidden. Especially if, when selecting a headset, the kitchen has already been designed and the desired cabinet will hang just above the appliance.

In wall cabinets with counters, the back wall is not placed or a cutout is made in it.

If the gas meter is installed after installing the furniture in the kitchen, the wall cabinet can be ordered separately. Furniture makers will help you choose the right module for the style and execute it in the color of the kitchen set

An example of a cabinet for a gas meter with a double bottom. In the wall of fiberboard, holes were drilled under the scoreboard and pipe valves. At any time, you can see the readings and, if necessary, shut off the gas

If the counter is placed closer to the window, you can install a pencil case with a false wall on magnets.

In such a cabinet, the gas meter is located behind an additional wall. With the door open, the appliance is not visible. Kitchen utensils or condiments can be placed on the shelf below

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 a competent layout, you can hide other gas equipment in it: pipes or column, or other appliances.

Option # 2 - drywall camouflage

Close the gas meter using plasterboard sheets. The method does not require large expenditures and is quite simply implemented.

Necessary materials and tools:

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

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

When constructing a duct from a metal profile, it should be remembered that its dimensions should provide free access to the gas device, so that without interference it would be possible to take readings and conduct scheduled maintenance

The steel frame is attached to the wall by means of self-tapping screws, the vertical and horizontal are set strictly in level.

The finished box is sheathed with drywall. The joints of the sheets are sealed with putty, and the surface is treated with a primer. After the product dries, the surface is rubbed with sandpaper to a smooth state.

The gypsum plasterboard can be painted, finished with ceramic tiles or pasted with wallpaper. Facades from trellised panels or decorated with antique 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 conceals usable space.

Option # 3 - decorating with materials at hand

Other materials can also be used as a mask for the counter: wooden lining, plywood, plastic, plexiglass, etc. In these cases, the box is not stationary, but is easily dismantled.

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

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

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

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

The finished drawer is small, it certainly will not spoil the interior of the kitchen. In addition, such a product will additionally perform a protective function: during cooking, you can accidentally hook the counter seal, and so it will be hidden under the box.

Sometimes there are creative ways of masking. The most interesting and functional options, we posted in the gallery below.

Gas meter transfer nuances

It is, of course, easier to mask gas equipment in houses that are just being commissioned: you can think over furniture elements in advance and choose the most convenient place to place appliances.

In the old skyscrapers, things are different. In a kitchen with an area of ​​6 squares, we can’t talk about installing an additional cabinet or drywall decor to close the counter. Therefore, many people are trying to get permission from the gas service to transfer the measuring device. This procedure is rather complicated: a project and a large amount of compliance are required formalities.

If “9 circles of hell” is passed and the procedure is agreed, you need to wait for a specialist to carry out the transfer of the device with the subsequent sealing.

Some people take the counter outside the kitchen. It can be a balcony, a corridor or another place.

It is convenient to place a gas meter in the hallway. In a small niche, he will not bother anyone. In addition, the controller will quickly be able to take readings and inspect the device

So that the gas meter does not catch the eye, it can be decorated or simply covered with a beautiful curtain that easily moves back and does not block access to equipment

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

Sometimes homeowners manage to coordinate the installation of a meter under a 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 interfere with the hostess and does not spoil the interior with its appearance. But getting permission to install the device in such a place is almost impossible: a zone of high humidity, too low placement relative to the floor

If you still managed to agree on the desired transfer option, you must definitely keep the documents and the act so that there are no problems in the future and a fine is not written.

You are not attracted to any of the proposed camouflage options and do you want to completely refuse to install it? 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

The instructions for creating a fiberboard box for masking a gas meter can be seen in the video below:

Often the gas service installs gas meters in the most unpredictable and uncomfortable places for homeowners. Some people do not pay attention to sticking out gas equipment, while others try to close it in every possible way, so as not to spoil the interior of the kitchen. Most often they hide the counter in the closet of the kitchen or in a self-made box, which is sheathed with drywall or other material.

And what affordable and safe ways to mask gas meters do you know? If you have interesting thoughts on how to hide the gas meter, share it with other users - the feedback form is located below.