Period Gas Meters

[malcolm]

I have a big green industrial gas meter box at the and I'm keen to replace it with something a little smaller to one side. That side of the house is not good looking at the moment:

You'll note it currently has a drain underneath for conservation purposes, so a sunken brown plastic conservation meter cover might not be compatible. I want to move the meter around 1m towards the road so I can fit a window in the kitchen near the current meter position, also I want to be able to drive past that corner of the house so want to avoid adding anything that sticks out. It's not a sensible option to move the meter behind the house due mostly to the charges involved in moving meters, but also because I don't want to demolish the shed.

Has anyone seen any nice looking gas meter installations? My best guess at the moment is to make a hole in the wall for a recessed meter and put some paint on the ugly white plastic cover that will inevitably be supplied with it.

Here is an artist impression of how a standard meter box might look in 50 years or so when I finish. It jars a bit and isn't the answer.

 

[Penners]

Here is an artist impression of how a standard meter box might look in 50 years or so when I finish. It jars a bit and isn't the answer.

If you're estimating 50 years now, in the early stages of the project, be prepared to leave a part-finished building to your grandchildren. :wink:

I reckon your artist's impression shows the kind of gas/electricity meter cover that is so ubiquitous that nobody will ever see it. This is one of those matters that we all get terribly concerned about, and agonise over which way to approach it, but in the final analysis nobody ever pays any attention whatsoever to the result .

 

[paulb33]

I reckon your artist's impression shows the kind of gas/electricity meter cover that is so ubiquitous that nobody will ever see it.

+1 for me too.

If it REALLY troubles you, then perhaps add a larger structure to the side wall. A well made timber lean-to log store, bike shed, bin shed or some such. The gas box can then be absorbed into this. It might also break up the large window-less expanse of painted wall on the gable end.

Paul

 

[philpjuk100]

Any chance of bringing it indoors or into the garage?.

 

[malcolm]

I suppose in 50 years time it will be a period gas meter box and therefore look acceptable. I don't really have many options for position - the garage is only an artist impression or what a garage might look like if I ever get around to building it.

It's a very good point that I'm probably worrying too much. A pot plant or two would probably solve the problem and help break up the gable, and the wall might become a little less magnolia which would help it blend in a bit.

 

[Penners]

No reason why you couldn't paint the plastic door in the same colour as the wall.

 

[Moo]

I reckon your artist's impression shows the kind of gas/electricity meter cover that is so ubiquitous that nobody will ever see it. This is one of those matters that we all get terribly concerned about, and agonise over which way to approach it, but in the final analysis nobody ever pays any attention whatsoever to the result .

He's right, y'know. It was only when we put our house on the market that we noticed the bare lightbulbs we'd been living with for the past dozen or so years.

 

[Penners]

It was only when we put our house on the market that we noticed the bare lightbulbs we'd been living with for the past dozen or so years.

Easily done, Moo, especially when the house has so many other gorgeous features to draw the eye.

 

[paulb33]

Its ripe for Banksy?