How to hide a gas water heater in the kitchen: safety requirements + a selection of the best camouflage ideas

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For many users, a gas water heater is the optimal way of uninterrupted supply of hot water all year round at any time of the day. But often it becomes an obstacle on the way to creating a stylish and harmonious interior in the kitchen.

Not sure how to place a bulky unit without spoiling the appearance of the walls, without compromising the convenience and safety of household members? Then we propose to study our material, which discusses in detail the aspects of this issue.

We will tell you how to hide a gas water heater in the kitchen and showcase photos with the best ideas. We also recall the generally accepted safety rules that must be followed when installing and moving the device.

The content of the article:

  • Rules for the safe installation of a gas column
    • Installation site requirements
    • Requirements for the premises
  • Ideas for disguising a gas column
    • Method # 1 - painting in the color of the walls or headset
    • Method # 2 - closing with a kitchen unit or panel
    • Method # 3 - installation between lockers
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    • Method # 4 - placing the device in the corner
    • Method # 5 - moving the unit to the corridor
    • Method # 6 - decorating / buying a designer model
  • Stylistic design of a room with a column
  • Ways to mask communications
  • Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Rules for the safe installation of a gas column

When a large-scale redevelopment is planned, a radical transfer or installation of a gas heater in an apartment for the first time, one cannot do without obtaining appropriate permits from the gas services. The complexity of matching is determined by the distance of the "crossing" and the place chosen for the speaker attachment.

A transfer project is drawn up if the device is transferred more than 1.5 meters from the previous mounting area. On average, it takes up to several months to obtain an official permit. We also recommend paying attention to the rules gas pipe transfer.

Since the gas water heater is a potentially dangerous device and requires extremely careful handling in everyday life, let's talk in more detail about the general rules and requirements for installation.

Installation of a column by a gas service employee

Almost any manipulation of the device needs to be approved by the regulatory authorities. It is not necessary to coordinate your actions only in two cases: if the unit has already been installed, remains in the same place or is replaced by a similar one

Installation site requirements

The location of the appliance in the kitchen is strictly limited. It is strictly forbidden to install the unit over a sink, refrigerator, gas stove. The minimum distance between them is 1 meter.

Access to the gas column should be as free as possible. This will provide quality service and the ability to inspect the device if necessary.

In addition, do not mount the device too low or high. It is desirable that the burner is at eye level, or at least within sight.

Installation of a column above a sink in a small apartment

For residents of small apartments, the kitchen area of ​​which does not exceed 6 m², there is an exception: they can hang a column above the sink

Recommended height:

  • from the floor to the lower surface of the device - 0.8-1.2 m;
  • from the upper surface to the ceiling - from 0.3 m;
  • from the side panel to the wall - not less than 0.15 m;
  • from the front panel to the opposite wall - from 1 m.

It is better not to decorate the walls near the column with wallpaper and plastic panels. The surface on which the installation is supposed to be carried out must be covered with non-combustible materials. The same rule applies to all panels used to mask the device.

Requirements for the premises

A gas water heater is installed in houses with a height of no more than 11 floors. Gasmen insist on installation within the kitchen space, but if a number of additional requirements are met, installation in the bathroom is now possible.

But in the kitchen-studio, which unites two rooms in an apartment with a redevelopment, they will not be allowed to mount a column. According to the legislation, the space in which the gas water heater is installed cannot be part of the living room.

Many people neglect this rule, explaining their decision by the fact that no one sleeps in the living room. However, from a security point of view, this is considered a gross violation.

Plastic windows with micro-ventilation function

In the room where the column works, you cannot overdo it with waterproofing and window insulation. If plastic window structures are installed in the apartment, they must necessarily have a micro-ventilation function.

Basic requirements for the room in which the column will be installed:

  • the presence of a high-quality, not clogged ventilation system with a natural air flow;
  • diameter of the circumference of the ventilation opening - not less than 0.12 m;
  • sufficient area - 6.5-8 m², but specific parameters depend on the type of burner;
  • ceiling height - not less than 2 m.

To obtain permission to install or change the position of a gas heater, it is necessary to prepare a certified certificate of the state of the chimney, the technical passport of the device itself. You will also need a project for the installation and a deed of ownership of the housing.

We talked in more detail about the norms and requirements for the installation of a gas column in our other article.

Room gas leak sensor with a column

Compliance with the requirements for the room and place of installation of the column will significantly increase the level of safety of family members. However, in order to foresee all the risks and completely eliminate the likelihood of accidents, it is worth installing a gas leakage sensor in the room

Mounting gas pipes, installation, connection and first start-up of the device must be carried out exclusively by professionals. After all the work has been completed by the gas service employees, an act of commissioning is issued.

Ideas for disguising a gas column

In search of solutions on how to effectively disguise a gas column, you need to adapt to the restrictions and requirements indicated above. Aesthetics should not compromise safety issues. In addition, inspectors will reject the wrong location and issue a fine for this at the first check.

We propose to consider the best methods of masking, taking into account all the nuances of installation, set out in SNiP.

Method # 1 - painting in the color of the walls or headset

Inexpensive to implement, stylish and the easiest way to integrate the speaker into the interior is to choose a suitable model or paint an existing unit to match the walls, furniture, individual elements interior. Visually blending into the background of the kitchen, the device will become almost invisible, regardless of location.

To decorate the column, you need to purchase chalk paint, heat-resistant enamel or an acrylic spray of a suitable shade. Before painting, it is necessary to dismantle the removable panels of the device, sand them and cover with a primer, then dry well.

White column on the background of a white kitchen

Design solutions embodied in black or white colors look very original: a black column on a black wall, a white water heater on a white surface. So the headset seems to be one

Contrasting design of the gas water heater

Among the effective design techniques are solutions based on color contrast. For example, the walls, countertop and sink in the kitchen are white, and the column, kitchen furniture and refrigerator are black, contrasting with the rest of the details.

The body should be painted in the color of the wall, apron, facade or any color accents in the room. You need to try not to abuse too bright colors, take into account the theme and general color scheme of the kitchen. Otherwise, the design will not be organically combined with the interior.

Method # 2 - closing with a kitchen unit or panel

When choosing the best camouflage methods, many are interested in whether it is possible to put a household gas water heater in a closet. It would seem that this is the most convenient and aesthetic option. But there are many pitfalls hidden in it.

In this case, in order not to violate safety precautions, additional measures must be taken.

Closing the column with a perforated facade

Alternatively, you can close the column with a perforated facade. Through the holes in such a headset, sufficient ventilation is provided, creating the correct traction. The device is clearly visible, which makes it easier to control the process of its functioning

To install a gas water heater, you should use a wall-mounted kitchen cabinet without bottom, back and top walls.

If you doubt whether it is possible to close a household gas water heater with a solid kitchen facade, we will help dispel doubts. So, it is impossible to close a unit with an open combustion chamber with a solid facade: combustion in it is supported by natural ventilation, which is prohibited to overlap. Only side and front panels are allowed. The niche should be significantly larger than the water heater.

Disguising a column behind a slate board

In some design projects, very interesting, non-standard ways of disguising gas water heaters in the kitchen are used. For example, in one of the projects, the unit was covered with a slate board for writing, leaving space for ventilation at the top, bottom and sides.

According to the fire safety rules, the panels in the cabinet must be made of fire-resistant materials that are especially resistant to fire. It is important that the front door opens quickly and easily.

Instead of an opening door, you can install blinds or roller blinds. The recommended distance between the side walls of the cabinet and the panels of the device is 0.15 m.

It is possible to close the gas water heater with a kitchen cabinet with a solid front only if the device is equipped with a closed combustion chamber. However, in order to avoid problems in the future, it is better to coordinate such a construction project with the local gas service in advance.

Method # 3 - installation between lockers

An alternative option for installation in a closet is to place the speaker between the headset items. This method of disguise is quite practical and does not require additional costs.

This option is optimal if, for some reason, it is not possible to integrate the device into a headset. For example, it did not fit in height or it was not possible to find a facade of the required width.

Column mounting between cabinets

The column between the cabinets will be less noticeable if the color of the unit body matches the color of the facade. The main thing is to ensure a safe distance between furniture doors and appliance panels.

With this method of placement, you can leave the column open or close it with a door made of materials identical to the facade. Such a door is attached to the cabinets adjacent to the unit. For normal ventilation, additional holes are made in it.

Method # 4 - placing the device in the corner

Disguising a speaker is possible not only by playing with color or embedding in a headset. Sometimes it is enough just to choose a good location. For example, move a gas water heater to a corner.

Column placement in the corner

Moving the speaker to a corner is the best solution for owners of Khrushchev houses, small rooms. With this arrangement, the device is visible only from certain angles, especially if the model does not stand out strongly against the background of furniture and walls.

There are several variations in column angular placement. Firstly, you can close it with a special corner cabinet, observing the same rules as when installing a conventional box.

Secondly, you can turn the device end-to-end. At the same time, it will hardly be conspicuous.

Method # 5 - moving the unit to the corridor

It happens that the kitchen area is so small that it sorely lacks space, not only for household appliances, but also for ordinary kitchen utensils. In this case, you should think about moving the gas column to the corridor.

This radical manipulation is quite troublesome and is possible only after agreement with the gas service.

In this case, the corridor must:

  • to be tall - ceiling height not less than 2.25 m;
  • be wide enough - the distance between the front panel of the speaker body and the opposite wall is at least 1 m;
  • have a ventilation duct - hole diameter not less than 0.125 m.

In some cases, it is possible to obtain permission to transfer the column to the bathroom if it meets the regulated safety standards. Gas workers may have complaints about the small area and the absence of an opening window in the room, but these nuances are often turned a blind eye.

Method # 6 - decorating / buying a designer model

Perhaps the easiest and least laborious way to integrate into the interior is to decorate a gas water heater. This is not a disguise, but a harmonious addition to the overall design. The procedure will not require permits from regulatory authorities and will not be difficult to implement for creative people.

Column decoration with magnets

When decorating the design of the column, it is worth using a variety of decor elements: decorate the unit with magnets brought from travels, family photos printed on magnetic vinyl

As a decor for decorating a gas water heater, you can use:

  • artistic painting;
  • painting;
  • decoupage;
  • vinyl stickers;
  • drawings and ornaments made through stencils.

With a successful decor, the column will become a full-fledged, stylish piece of furniture. The main thing is to have good taste and use your imagination. For example, if you paint the device with slate paint, you can write menus, draw, leave messages on it.

An example of a harmonious interior in the kitchen

When decorating a column, it is important to choose a suitable style and a harmonious combination of colors that would match the tone of furniture, walls and interior items in the kitchen

An even simpler but expensive option is to buy designer models that do not need camouflage. Such columns are ordered for the style of the kitchen, choosing the required color of the case, decor and even the shape of the product.

Typically, design techniques are performed in high-tech, modern styles. It assumes installation in a conspicuous place, since in itself it is worthy of being the central element of the interior.

Are you thinking about buying a speaker with the right cabinet color? Then we advise you to familiarize yourself with selection criteriaso that the purchase does not disappoint you.

Stylistic design of a room with a column

For those who plan to carry out a large-scale upgrade of the kitchen design and embody a certain style interior in the room, it is worthwhile to think in advance about how the gas water heater.

We recommend paying attention to the following stylistics options:

  1. Provence. Ideal for small kitchens. It implies a combination of white facades with a column of the same color. Allows the presence of still lifes, flower arrangements, which may be present as a pattern on the front of the column.
  2. Loft. The general style idea is the open placement of the gas heater and communication pipes. In order for the device to better fit into the loft style, the case should be remade for a high-tech device.
  3. Country. It involves the use of a delicate color palette. The color of the column case does not matter in this case, since it is closed with a cabinet with a blue, peach or white facade.

For rooms with gas water heaters, rustic, industrial, Mediterranean styles, rustic are also suitable.

Modern style of interior in the kitchen with a column

In most popular styles, the water heater is not hidden, but is positioned as an authentic attribute, a full-fledged interior decoration. Provided that the layout is correct, this column placement option looks especially impressive.

To achieve a more complete correspondence with the general design idea, the gas water heater is often decorated with additional thematic elements.

Ways to mask communications

In addition to the gas heater itself, many communications connected to the device also require camouflage. We are talking about a chimney, water and gas pipes, hoses and other structures necessary for the operation of the device. As a rule, they do not look very aesthetically pleasing.

It is better to decide on the methods of masking communications at the stage of ordering furniture or planning repairs. The simplest and most budgetary option is paint pipes to match the walls. You can also cover the hoses with special masking panels, which are usually supplied with the column.

If there are no such panels in the kit, they are made independently using drywall. But you need to take into account that the box should not be deaf, easily removable, and have an inspection hatch.

Masking pipes with a removable kitchen apron

Many restrictions and requirements leave the main pipe open from the column. To make it less noticeable, experts recommend installing the device near the chimney. Gas pipes can be covered with a removable apron

In apartments where the gas line is arranged along the kitchen apron, the pipes are hidden using a rail system. It is a metal structure designed to hold shelves or hooks for kitchen accessories.

Another original option for masking communication pipes is decorating with bamboo panels. We considered more ideas for masking the gas pipe in the kitchen in the article: How to hide a gas pipe in the kitchen: camouflage methods and rules for arranging a box.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Useful tips for disguising a gas water heater in the kitchen:

One of the ideas on how to hide the column and pipes in the kitchen:

Instructions for masking pipes on a kitchen apron:

While striving for visual excellence in interior design, do not forget about safety. This is a key point to be guided by when choosing a suitable disguise for a column in the kitchen..

Use only legal methods, follow generally accepted installation rules and be sure to coordinate the nuances with gas services. If in doubt, consult with a specialist who will tell you how best to hide the device specifically in your case.

Would you like to share your way of disguising a gas water heater? Or supplement the above material with interesting ideas that we did not mention? Add original photos, write recommendations, participate in discussions - the feedback form is located below.

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