It’s time for a challenge. The challenge? Build a project to spruce up your outdoor space! It seems like that’s all I’ve been doing lately for my backyard camper retreat. Today’s project is a gas meter cover—a decorative option to cover up this outdoor eyesore! Be sure to check out my friends’ projects at the bottom of this post!
Outdoor Eyesore | Diy Gas Meter Cover
We all have them, outdoor eyesores. This is the gas meter that needs to be disguised.
Isn't it perfect? I love it so much! Let’s see how this gas meter cover project came together.
When it was time to figure out my project, it seemed like a no-brainer to make it out of one of these pallets left over from the deliveries during the backyard makeover.
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I started dismantling the pallets with my Duckbill Deck Wrecker . Within an hour I had all three of the pallets separated and was well into getting all the nails removed.
How to remove a stubborn pallet nail
There were actually very few nails left in the stringers. When I dismantled the pallet for my pallet love seat bench I learned a new technique for removing stubborn nails. On that pallet I was able to “unscrew” the nail with my vice grips. These nails would not unscrew. I twisted them around several times to break their bond, then pried them out with the vice grips.
Luckily, these stringers were not notched, and they were smaller than most. They would be part of my faux garden gate that will be the gas meter cover.
Easily harvest pallet wood
Three pallets, all different in size. I didn’t realize that until I separated all the boards. For more great projects and tips, see my post Tips For Dismantling Pallets.
The length of the pallet boards were 36”, 44” and 48”. I laid out the boards to decide which set I wanted to use for the gas meter cover project. You may notice the boards on the left are much thicker.
I actually chose the shortest boards to make the faux garden gate.
Repurposed crib
While looking for some spindles to make up the posts of the faux garden gate, I chose this old crib. The height of the spindles were what determined how tall the pallet boards could be.
First, I needed to remove all the crib hardware. I generally save crib hardware, but some of these pieces were plastic.
click here to see more crib projects to inspire you
Dismantle crib with saw
Because I didn’t know how the saw was put together, I chose to use a reciprocating saw to dismantle it. Had I used a rubber mallet to separate the pieces, I may have had too much patching to do.
You can see that I would have to patch the entire length of the crib end as well as some dowels. When in doubt, I prefer sawing.
Test fit of faux garden gate
I did a dry fit to make sure the boards would all work together.
After removing the finial on the crib end, I cut off the curve on the miter saw. But first, I removed the threaded piece in the image on the right.
Assemble gas meter cover
Because I wanted a quick and easy project, I chose to use my kreg jig to drill pocket holes in both ends of all the pallet stringers.
To leave enough reveal on the front side, I used a scrap piece of wood to raise the stringer off the table. I repeated this on both ends of all three stringers.
Attach Pallet Boards
Each pallet board was secured from the front with three wood screws, one in each stringer.
Did you notice that I turned the crib posts upside down? Those are the legs of the crib posts sticking up. It doesn’t look much like a garden gate, does it?
Cut arch to faux garden gate
Because I want the gas meter cover to resemble a garden gate, I made it have an arch like the pallet bench that’s on the opposite side of the backyard. I used the same twin headboard for this project.
How to add dowels to crib finials
In order to give some height to the garden gate sides, I decided to add the finials to the top. Remember, this is actually the legs of the crib posts.
This handy drill bit gauge is helpful to figure out what size bit I need to match the dowel. Using an irwin quick clamp keeps my hands safe while drilling the hole into the finial. Gorilla Wood Glue secures the finial.
Paint Sprayer tips
Even though I wanted light coverage, sort of like a whitewash look, I decided that it would be easiest if I used my Homeright Super Finish Max. The paint was diluted slightly with water. I prefer to paint the back of my project first, then I turn it around and lean it lightly on the sawhorse.
The adjustable spray tip comes in really handy on a project like this. I was able to switch from a horizontal spray pattern on the board slats to a vertical spray pattern while I was spraying the posts.
Spray paint gate hardware
I spray painted the hardware and attached it to the faux gate. It really changed the look of the faux garden gate gas meter cover.
The little welcome sign is so much cuter since I put the new twisted wire hanger on it. Granted there are still more outdoor eyesores on the back of the house, but with this new gas meter cover, at least your eye has something pretty to focus on. Maybe my guests will not notice the other lesser eyesores on the back of the house.
Thanks for pinning my project before you go check out the other great projects in this month’s challenge!
Sharing here: My Wee Abode Tuesday Turnabout
This project featured at Homestyle Gathering via Serving Up Southern
More Outdoor Projects to Inspire You
- DIY Pool Towel Rack
- Outdoor Planter Coffee Table
- DIY Porch Planters
- Brass & Wood Outdoor Planters
- DIY Outdoor Corner Table
- Outdoor Chandelier
- DIY Outdoor Dining Table
- Modern Planter with Hose Storage
- DIY Outdoor Window Shutters
- Do It Yourself Chippendale Planter
- DIY Outdoor Cooler Deck Box
- How to Make Your Own Cedar Window Boxes
So glad you linked up! Don't you worry... I think many of us have our head in the clouds that weekend!
Wow, Gail! I have an old crib and was trying to figure out what I should do with it! This gives me some ideas! Pinning! Thanks for joining Tuesday Turn About! 🙂
Such a great pallet project! We love to reclaim wood from sources just like this too 🙂 . Your's looks just like a garden gate. The use of the crib legs/spindles was such a great idea! I am kinda a spindle-holic myself 😉
heheh I get ya Cindy! I have buckets of spindles stored just waiting for their purpose! But none of them fit the bill for this project like the crib spindles did. They were perfect!
thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment, it's greatly appreciated!
gail
Gail, how smart is this? Such a cute 'cover', but a wonderful addition to your garden! Congrats on your feature at Homestyle Gathering! We'd love to have you link-up at Tuesday Turn About... we open today at 3pm PST.
Will you be at Haven this year? I remember sharing lunch with you once last year. 🙂
Julie,
Yes, I'll be at Haven. I've never missed one yet! Hope to see you there! (though please forgive me if I don't recognize you)
Thanks for the invite, I'll head over to link up!
gail
Hi Gail!
You're garden gate is such a neat idea! It's a great way to re-purpose a pallet, and I love how you used crib legs for the posts. The hook and eye latch and the cute sign are the perfect final touches. I found you by way of Talk of the Town. I would love for you to share this at Homestyle Gathering link party via Serving Up Southern.
>>> Kim
Thank you Kim! I sure do love what I do. 🙂
Thanks for the invite, I have added my project to your party.
gail
I love that you made this entire thing from repurposed items! So clever! It's got me wondering what I have lying around that could hide my eye-sores... 😉
Give me junk and watch me create! LOL It's what I do.
thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
gail
I love this! Now, I just need a place to put one. Pretty sure I can find a place! Thanks for posting this!
Cute. This will give the meter reader a surprise, if it hasn't already.
Thank you Brette!
He'll be here in a couple of weeks. I'm sure the entire backyard will be a surprise to him!
gail
Clever way to hide an eye soar. Love the gate, looks great!
Thank you Linda! I really am happy with how it turned out.
gail
So many eyesores, so many uses for this gate in the garden! Love it, love the posts.
Thank you Cristina!
You're right, so many things need disguising in the yard.
gail
You're a repurposing master, Gail! This looks wonderful and such a great way to hide things in plain sight!
repurposing, it's definitely in my blood! 🙂
Thanks Katie!!
gail
Gail--what a smart idea! Nice job!
Thanks so much Angie! I just LOVE my new backyard!
gail
Gail I love it! It looks so sweet and the perfect way to hide your water meter! You are so awesome, I love the sign too and the planters on the sides!
thank you Mindi! I'm so happy that I finally changed up my backyard. I really enjoy it every day.
gail
This is a cute idea to hide the gas meter. I plan to build a cover for ours too. I haven't started researching ideas yet because it will be part of the landscape plan for that section of yard. It's on my project list for this summer. Nice work!
I don't really have any "summer" projects planned. It's so hot and humid here in the summertime. I think I've completed all the backyard ideas for now. I don't want to "junk" it up too much.
gail
There is probably a law about leaving space around a meter?
Good point Donna, but I'm not worried about that! lol
seriously, I don't think there are any laws about it. There may be some guidelines, but I'm sure that's not an issue for me. The faux gate simply leans on the meter.
There are definitely rules about calling BUD if you dig around any utilities. That's why I didn't secure the faux garden gate in the ground.
gail
How did you get it to stay standing with out it always falling over?
Judy,
Great question!
Because I didn't want to dig so close to the meter, I have it leaned against the meter. That way the meter reader can still get to it. My ground is not level, so I didn't think I could make a base for it. Each application will be different depending on your situation.
It's REALLY a lot heavier than it looks, so I don't think the wind will blow it over. This way it will be fairly easy to move when I need to use the string trimmer or lawn mower.
gail
Gail, I love this project. I’m thinking I want one. You are so talented. . .Love your blogs!
Thank you Sherry! I appreciate you stopping by to check out my projects!
gail