The back of our house is not very attractive since it is flat and plain but then you add in electrical boxes and conduit and it really becomes an eyesore. I am sure I am not the only one out there who has a spot on the back or side of their house that could use a cosmetic fix. A couple of years ago I came up with an idea to hide electrical boxes on the back of our house. The first sliding wall worked but could be improved upon so today I am sharing the new and improved sliding wall!
Two years ago I posted the first edition. I was so paranoid that it would be too heavy so I used 1x4s and burlap. It ended up being too light and would flap in the wind. It functioned well enough but I knew I needed a beefier version. Plus, this one was not long enough and sort of reminded me of when pants are too short. Floods are not cool.
This time around I used 2x4s, 1x4s, amd 1x6s to make a more durable sliding wall. It made our new patio that much prettier too!
Supplies
(some links are affiliate)
(2) 2x4s cut to 43" (you length may vary depending on the width of your electrical boxes and house)
(2) 10 foot 1x4s
(16) 1x6 boards cut to 43" (you length may vary depending on the width of your electrical boxes and house)
Burlap Fabric
Staple Gun
Pocket Door Track System with 125lb load
Weather Resistant Pocket Screws
Once all the lumber was cut, I drilled pocket holes into the ends of the 1x6 boards and the ends of the 1x4 boards.
Using pocket screws, I assembled the large slatted wall by adding a slat every 2 inches. I also built the planter boxes out of 1x6s to later attach to the wall.
After I assembled the wall, I stained it. When it had completely dried, I stapled burlap to the back of the of it so you won't see any of the electrical boxes through the gaps. I screwed the planter boxes on it and it was ready to hang!
I used a commercial grade pocket door track that can hold up to 125 pounds. I bought it on Amazon here . Even though the sliding wall did not weight 125 (more like 80-100 at most) the closet door track that was already up there from the first version only help 60 pounds.
I screwed it into the top of the house. I also added a block of wood to each end so the wall wouldn't go off track.
It didn't weigh a ton but it was long and slightly awkward so it took Shane, and I and our oldest two boys to get it in the track. It glides so easily! We have had two really big wind storms and it hasn't swayed or anything. It is the perfect weight and length. And it hides our electrical boxes perfectly.
Do you have a spot on your house that you need to hide electrical boxes, meters, or something else?
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Aren't you, the clever one!...The sliding wall looks great!
Thanks so much for this tutorial!! This is such a beautiful relaxing area now!
I mentioned the previous blog post to my husband (when you had posted about the patio area) He asked, " And how do they read there electrical meter?" Me, "I don't know". So I knew it wouldn't be a go, but with this new info, I have another chance!!! And... I would finally get a sliding door!!!
Your patio set is the same as mine, except for the cushions. Mine came with beige(one side) and brown on the other...don't like them! Did you recover yours?
Gorgeous!
I have been enjoying your blog for several years, and this idea is by far the best to date ! Practically everyone has this problem to deal with, and I've never seen it addressed before. You need to receive the Nobel of Bloggers for this !
Wow looks great. You can always find a solution. I am impressed with your skills!
Brilliant idea!!
I love it. I'm always impressed by your solutions to problems. It never occurred to me to hide these ugly things; something to think about.
That is really fantastic!
This is so clever! I am pinning this for if we EVER succeed in getting a house :)
Awesome improvement! 5 star :)
You have created the Wow factor! It's a gorgeous space too! This post is Featured at Merry Monday this week. Sharing! Can't wait to see what clever ideas you share with us next!
I love your sliding wall. That is such a good idea. I also love your new patio. It looks great.
This is a genius idea! Thanks so much for sharing with Merry Monday; I'll be featuring your sliding garden wall at our upcoming party. Hope to have you join us again next week!
Just brilliant. You could sell those. At least patent them. Stunning idea.
As a 10+ year electrician, this is a really great idea. Some people try and hide electrical boxes in a more permanent manner and then we can't access them when we need to. A sliding wall is perfect for everyone.
Do you have a side view of the trellis. We are unsure how the planters are attached to the trellis.
Love it; can't wait to have it built.
Sharon
I will see if I have any pictures from last year, as the plants haven't grown in yet. I did same thing when I built, I have an electric box in my side yard. I had a concrete curb guy come in and make a elliptical shape around the boxes, a few feet clearance all the way around. I then used tall ornamental grasses in the front of the boxes which basically hide it 100% and looks nice. Then on the sides I have some other bushes that fill in nicely but give 100% access to the boxes if needed. It turned out really nice, and my neighbor likes to take care of it for me which is even nicer.