How To Build a Utility Cover | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner block their gas meter from the road with a simple yet attractive removable utility cover.

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Utilities in front of our homes aren’t always the most attractive lawn ornaments we could ask for. When a homeowner’s utility cover was on its last legs, he reached out to Nathan Gilbert for a new solution. Nathan’s plan is to build a new cover from weather-resistant materials and give that old gas meter a clean new look that also meets code.

Where to find it?
For building materials, Nathan uses 4x4” cedar posts [https://homedepot.sjv.io/WqK4BZ] and composite decking [https://homedepot.sjv.io/GmqnA9]. The cedar posts are rot-resistant. Composite decking is great against the elements and its fixed dimensions make it great to use as dimensional lumber.

To build the cover Nathan starts by measuring, marking, and cutting the 4x4” posts to
the correct height and width. He cuts 4 posts for the sides and 3 posts for the bottom.

To secure the frame together, Nathan uses exterior grade deck screws [https://homedepot.sjv.io/DK1Qja].

Next Nathan measures [https://homedepot.sjv.io/WqK4xZ], marks and cuts the composite decking with a miter saw [https://homedepot.sjv.io/MmjDn2]. For the edges, he miters the decking, so it looks more cohesive on the outside.

To secure the decking to the frame, he uses deck screws on the face of the composite.
He adds a wood glue [https://homedepot.sjv.io/KjPqLn] to the mitered edges for extra strength.

To add the house numbers, Nathan measures and marks the location, so it’s perfectly
centered on the front of the box. He then secures the house numbers to the front of the
box using the provided screws.

After placing the cover around the gas meter, add weights for extra support.

All supplies are available at your local home store. Special assistance provided by Tulsa Remote [https://tulsaremote.com/].

Special Thanks to Jasmine Teer, Chad Previch, Oklahoma Natural Gas [https://www.oklahomanaturalgas.com/].

Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH

Materials:
Pressure treated 2x6 [https://homedepot.sjv.io/k0bzLV]
Cedar fence boards [https://homedepot.sjv.io/rQbGjy]
Cedar 4x4s [https://homedepot.sjv.io/WqK4BZ]
Pressure treated 2x4s [https://homedepot.sjv.io/4PKJZr]
Stainless steel screws [https://homedepot.sjv.io/DK1Qja]
Top-grade cedar 2x6 [https://homedepot.sjv.io/GmqnA9]
Wood glue [https://homedepot.sjv.io/KjPqLn]

Tools:
Tape measure [https://homedepot.sjv.io/WqK4xZ]
Miter or track saw [https://homedepot.sjv.io/MmjDn2]
Combination square [https://homedepot.sjv.io/WqKRXG]
Drill driver and bits [https://homedepot.sjv.io/R50Wna]

Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How To Build a Utility Cover | Ask This Old House
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Видео How To Build a Utility Cover | Ask This Old House канала This Old House