01/07/2025

7 ways to disguise your oil tank this summer

Domestic oil tanks are an essential part of many households, providing a reliable source of heating fuel. However, their appearance may not always align with homeowners’ aesthetic vision for their properties. If you find yourself on the search for a more visually appealing outdoor space, you’re in the right place! This guide will demonstrate various creative and practical solutions that allow you to camouflage your oil tank while maintaining safety.

Let’s find out our top 7 ways to disguise your oil tank this summer.

Considerations for disguising your oil tank

Before you decide what type of disguise you want for your oil tank, it is important to consider the regulations that you will need to adhere to:

• Maintain proper ventilation around the tank to prevent the accumulation of hazardous fumes.
• Ensure easy access for maintenance, inspections, and deliveries.
• Use non-combustible materials and follow fire safety regulations.
• Clearly label the location of the tank for safety and emergency purposes.

To ensure complete compliance with OFTEC regulations and rules, see our blog for a breakdown. To install your oil tank this summer, call us on 01638 492033.

1. Fencing

Fencing is the quickest, cheapest, and easiest method of disguising your oil tank. You can make your oil tank look more appealing by putting a fence all the way around it or by covering the area that is most visible to block it from the main view. If you are creating a pen for your oil tank, don’t forget to put in a gate for access.

You can use wooden fence panels, bamboo or reed to disguise your tank, depending on what fits your style best. Once installed, you can paint, stain or decorate your fence as you please. Just remember, the fence you install must be 760mm away from the oil tank to align with OFTEC regulations. It is also important to keep this distance so as not to cause any damage to your tank and prevent any damage to your disguise during inspections or maintenance. 

2. Trellis, climbing plants, and other plants.

If the area where your oil tank is positioned is in a good spot, landscaping is a great strategy to help your oil tank blend with its surroundings. Plastic and metal oil tanks are both easily hidden by landscaping due to their green colour, which will match your garden. Plants usually require very little maintenance once they have been planted. Planting trellis, climbing plants, flowers, bedding plants, or tall grasses can achieve a seamless disguise for your oil tank this summer. Selecting flowers that bloom at different times of the year can also help to keep the tank covered throughout the year.  

Be sure to keep any vents, gauges, or significant access points clear of vegetation, leaving around 760mm empty so it is also accessible for inspections, maintenance, and deliveries. Hanging plants or baskets are a nice additional touch to blend your disguise with your garden and add character. This method can take longer to complete, but it is the most subtle and natural way to camouflage your oil tank.

Have an oil tank but think it might need an inspection or replacement? Give us a call on 01638 492033 for more information.

3. Walls

Constructing an enclosure can provide a substantial disguise for your oil tank. Non-combustible materials such as bricks, stone and metal can not only create robust and long-standing walls, but also ensure fire safety. The wall must allow proper ventilation and have removable panels or access points for maintenance, inspections, and deliveries. Walls can be built yourself, or purchased (metal walls) from special suppliers. Once installed, they will require little maintenance and should be extremely long-lasting.

Wall disguises can also be paired with other methods of hiding your oil tank, such as plants and roofs, to offer ultimate coverage. 

4. Covers and Netting

Covers and netting are the most affordable and easiest way to cover your oil tank. Options include camouflage netting and covers; you can find different colours, styles, and sizes to fit your style and garden aesthetic. Covers are the perfect option for anyone renting the property with the oil tank or who doesn’t want to make a permanent change to their garden.

Covers and netting can be easily removed for maintenance or refuelling and put back on again without too much effort or damage. For maximum protection, these covers must be made of weather-resistant and sturdy materials. Covers can range from full opaque to Camouflage netting. 

Want to find out more about being an oil tank owner? Call 01638 492033 to speak with a member of our team.

5. Paint

For those with artistic flair, you can always paint your oil tank for a more creative option. You will need to use equipment suitable for an external tank, such as painting primer and weatherproof paint. The best paint for oil tanks is exterior acrylic house paint or elastomeric paint. These options are more flexible and allow the tank to expand without chipping or tearing the paint.

Painting your tank is more of a short-term solution as it is more likely to experience deterioration due to the weather. It is also important to keep an eye on the paint for any peeling or chipping, so as not to let it inside the tank and contaminate any of the oil. 

6. Shed or outbuilding

Why not try installing a shed or outbuilding around your oil tank? A shed is probably the only way to completely hide your oil tank, but you must ensure it follows all installation requirements. Oil tanks must be around 1.8m away from a shed; therefore, if you have a smaller garden, there may be better options for you. You could opt for a roof structure with support posts in this case. From here, you could always add climbing plants to the structure for more coverage. 

7. Hedge

Hedges are a more permanent or long-term solution to disguising your oil tank. As it is a more permanent solution, and takes a while to finalise, you should only commit to hedge disguises if you are ready. Once fully grown, a hedge’s leaves will cover the oil tank and provide coverage all year round. You can select different densities, heights, and types of hedges to best fit your style.

We recommend chatting with a professional if you need help with how to disguise your oil tank safely. For your queries about Oil Tanks, call us today on 01638 781710