Free 550 cord to the best solution to my problem

myright

myright

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Jan 31, 2008
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Alright fellas - I'm in the middle of building a deck and the builder of my home so graciously put all my utilities on the same wall as my sliding glass door. I was originally going to put a railing section around but decided against it.

It needs to be accessible for the meter reader, but I have a 10 month old that I don't want playing on it.

I've got a section of a few feet of OD 550 cord that I'll give to the person that gives me the best solution. Obviously that solution is subject to my opinion since I will be building it and living here.

Here's what I'm faced with.

06130917211.jpg
 
try something artistic even if u aren't artistic. i say build a fun little child proof doggy like house 4 it or a box like table 4 your booze and knives.it should be fun to find a cool and safe way 2 hide that spot and still have it accessible.
 
Build some shelving around it. Shelving is handy to have on the deck for either storage or plants or what-have-you. You could use some plexi-glass to cover over the bottom shelf where the utilities are to keep your youngster from them.
 
A bench to cover it and have planter boxes on either side. Just pull the bench out when you need access.
 
Build a simple outside cabinet box with access doors for maintenance and the meter reader.

With kids of my own I know what works. Out of site, out of mind.

Best,

Anthony
 
Here are my ideas...

I'd build one of those seats you see in a bay window around it. That way there is lid for access, you could use the extra storage too, OR...

you could make it funny. Put eye brows above each box and paint the right one like it is closed and black, OR...

you could just put Christmas lights around it, OR...

YOU COULD HAVE IT MOVED!!! ;)
 
Not sure of the height that you're looking at from the pic. But, I think a bench would fit over it fine, give the area some use still, let the meter be read and keep the kid away from it.

Or, if you need to hide it more a plastic storage bin could be put over it. Hides it better but the bin wouldn't be as useful with that section of the back but out of it.

Good Luck!
 
sufu said:
try something artistic even if u aren't artistic. i say build a fun little child proof doggy like house 4 it or a box like table 4 your booze and knives.it should be fun to find a cool and safe way 2 hide that spot and still have it accessible.
Click to expand...

Cool idea :)

sunnyd said:
Build a simple outside cabinet box with access doors for maintenance and the meter reader.

With kids of my own I know what works. Out of site, out of mind.

Best,

Anthony
Click to expand...

Hey Anthony - I need it to be able to be seen easily in the event that fire fighters need to get to it at all.

All are good ideas so far!


abo4ster said:
Here are my ideas...

I'd build one of those seats you see in a bay window around it. That way there is lid for access, you could use the extra storage too, OR...

you could make it funny. Put eye brows above each box and paint the right one like it is closed and black, OR...

you could just put Christmas lights around it, OR...

YOU COULD HAVE IT MOVED!!! ;)
Click to expand...

That is wicked expensive to have that crap moved.

countryboycansurvive said:
A bench to cover it and have planter boxes on either side. Just pull the bench out when you need access.
Click to expand...

I've got to go out and take some measurements and see if it's low enough to be comfortable enough to be a bench. Good idea.
 
You could get one of those tall thin garden tool sheds and cut put the back to fit around the meter, and then anchor the shed to the house with some large screws.

OR, you can get an unfinished cabinet section, and do the same thing. That would be cheaper than the shed, and it would be a little less obtrusive.
somthing like this:
3183407.jpg
 
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how about a wooden box around it, with a swing out door thats childproof. maby have the top as like a nice plant stand or s small checkers or chess table. or you could put you grill next to it and use the table as a thing for all your utensils, sauces, etc.
 
Put a shelf about chest height with a plexi glass front and use it as a condiments bar for grilling. Or you could get a fire place grate and just stick it in front.
fireplace_screen_71387.jpg
 
Put an all-weather speaker above it and pipe in some German opera. That will keep the kids away!:D

DancesWithKnives
[My apologies for the joke---the suggestions so far have been so good that I don't have anything practical to add.]
 
build your BBQ grill into it with a locking cabinet on the bottom to cover the box
check with your local fire laws about the BBQ grill
 
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