How To Build a Utility Cover

Bulky, rusty utility features such as gas meters can be an eyesore on your property, but you can cleverly disguise them with just a few tools and the right guidance. A custom utility cover can improve your home’s curb appeal without inhibiting access to important utilities. Read our guide on how to build, customize, and maintain a utility cover below. 

Utility Cover Requirements

Before you start planning your construction, make sure you understand the regulations that govern utility covers. Gas meters and other utility fixtures must remain accessible to emergency personnel and utility company workers. Contact your local regulatory body for more information.

Code Compliance

You must comply with the following codes when building a utility cover:

• Avoid permanently attaching the cover to the ground.
• Enclose only three sides of the utility fixture.
• Keep at least 3 inches of clearance on either side of the meter.
• Leave the top and rear open for easy access.

Material Selection

Choose weather-resistant materials for your construction. Consider the following:

• Cedar: Excellent for posts and fencing panels because of its natural durability
• Pressure-treated lumber: Ideal for ground contact, as it resists rot and decay
• Stainless steel screws: Provide corrosion resistance, and ensure the structure remains intact over time

Pro Tip: This Old House general contractor Tom Silva recommends considering man-made alternatives as well: “These days we’re also using a lot more man-made materials, like cellular PVC trim, which lasts forever and is impervious to water.” PVC trim can be especially useful for components that will be in direct contact with moisture.

When buying cedar, pay attention to board thickness; some lumberyards carry ⅞-inch-thick material instead of ¾-inch-thick stock. According to This Old House Magazine, both thicknesses work fine for outdoor projects, but the difference can affect how you size adjoining pieces. Cedar boards weather the elements, resist rot, and repel insects, but cedar is also quite soft, so expect it to get dinged and nicked with regular use.

Build the Utility Cover Base

Once you’ve decided which materials to use, you can move forward with the construction of your base. The base of your utility cover keeps the structure stable and in place.

Cut the Base Pieces

1. Use a miter saw or combination square and track saw to cut a 45-degree angle on the end of the pressure-treated two-by-six. 
2. Measure 42 inches from the long point of the miter cut.
3. Make another 45-degree cut at the 42-inch mark.
4. Cut two 24-inch side pieces, and include one mitered end on each.

Assemble the Base

1. Make a U-shape with the cut pieces.
2. Arrange the mitered faces so that they touch at the corners.
3. Fasten the joints using toe screws that you drive from the outside into the corners. 
4. Make sure the interior space is at least 24 inches long for clearance.

Construct the Utility Cover Frame

Follow the steps below to build the frame structure:

Determine Post Height

1. Stack fence boards edge to edge, and space them 1/8 inch apart.
2. Measure the meter’s total height, and make sure all boards are taller than the meter.
3. Cut six cedar two-by-fours to this length for the posts.

Assemble the Posts

1. Join two two-by-fours at their faces to create each front post.
2. Use single two-by-fours for the rear posts.
3. Attach the posts to the base using toe screws and nails that you drive from the bottom.
4. Install pressure-treated two-by-four braces between the posts for more stability.

Install the Fence Boards For Your Utility Cover

Horizontal fence boards create a clean, modern look for your utility cover. Here’s how to space and attach these boards for a professional finish:

Cut and Attach the Side Boards

1. Measure the distance from the open end of the cover to the front of the post.
2. Cut fence boards to this length.
3. Attach boards using stainless steel screws.
4. Use removable 1/8-inch spacers between each course for consistent gaps.
5. Repeat this on both sides.

Install the Front Boards

1. Measure the utility cover’s front width.
2. Cut fence boards to this length.
3. Attach boards to the front using stainless steel screws.
4. Maintain consistent 1/8-inch gaps between boards.

Add the Finishing Touches to the Utility Cover

Complete your utility cover with the final steps below. 

Install the Top Rail

1. Cut a cedar two-by-six to fit the top of the cover, and leave a slight overhang.
2. Miter the corners for a polished look.
3. Apply wood glue to the joints before you secure them with screws.

Cut three 1x scraps to fit in a loose U-shape inside the perimeter lines on the underside of the top. Glue and screw these pieces to the underside of the top piece—they fit inside the cover and hold the top tightly in place, preventing it from shifting or blowing off.

Add House Numbers

1. Center the house numbers on the front of the cover.
2. Attach the numbers using the provided screws.

Reinforce the Cover

Here’s how to reinforce the cover for extra security and stability:

1. Place the completed cover around the gas meter.
2. Add pavers or weights inside the base for extra stability.

Customize Your Utility Cover

You can personalize your utility cover to match your home’s exterior and landscaping. Read about some popular methods below.

Finish Options

Consider the finishes below, and decide which will best match your design scheme and functional needs:

• Clear Sealer: Apply a clear sealer to maintain the wood’s original color.
• Natural Weathering: Allow the cedar to weather so that it develops a silver-gray patina naturally.
• Stain or Paint: Stain or paint the cover to match your home’s exterior.

Pro Tip: This Old House general contractor Tom Silva recommends finishing outdoor wood projects with protection in mind: “I’d sand it lightly, put a coat of deck paint on it if you like a color or you can use a polyurethane or a marine finish, but make sure it has a UV protector in it.”

Landscaping Integration

Follow the tips below to blend your new cover into its surroundings, or even hide it from passersby:

• Add mulch or grass seed around the base of the cover.
• Plant low-growing shrubs or flowers nearby to blend the cover into your landscape.

Utility Cover Maintenance Tips

You must take care of your utility cover so that it maintains its visual appeal and remains up to code. Consider the tips below.

Regular Inspections

• Check for loose screws or boards each year.
• Inspect for signs of rot or insect damage, and address them immediately.
• Make sure you can easily remove the cover for utility access.

Cleaning and Upkeep

• Gently clean the cover with a soft brush and mild soap solution.
• Reapply finish or paint as needed to protect the wood.
• Trim nearby vegetation to stop it from growing over the cover.

Materials

• Pressure treated 2×6
• Cedar fence boards
• Cedar 4x4s
• Pressure treated 2x4s
• Stainless steel screws
• Top-grade cedar 2×6
• Wood glue

Tools