Sizing Alcove for Stacked Washer & Dryer

[dlu]

We're remodeling our laundry room and we're planning to install stacked Miele compact (24") washer/dryer set in an alcove. The actual width of the units is 23 1/2" (596 mm) -- I'm wondering how much clearance I should allow, how wide I should make the alcove. In the product specs they list a "width for building under" of 23 5/8" (600 mm). I'm not sure what "width for building under" is, my best guess is that it's the width to allow when installing under a counter (they also give a "height for building under"), but that seems awful tight...

Any suggestions or real-world experience?

 

[tjbnwi]

Miele requires 2” clearance per side, 27-1/2”, height depends on the models. You need to plan for a grill above the stacked units and into the room if it has a door that can be closed.

Tom

 

[dlu]

Thanks! There won't be a door (at least not to start with). I'm really glad that I asked. If you don't mind, where did you dig up that information?

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks! There won't be a door (at least not to start with). I'm really glad that I asked. If you don't mind, where did you dig up that information?

We go through this at least twice a week, after awhile you get used to deciphering manufactures drawings. The best at presenting design/install information is Sub Zero through their Reveal system.

Page 83, shows the shaded area on the floor. Elevation and ventilation requirements anre also defined.
https://media.miele.com/downloads/83/0e/02_C7F128280FAC1EDE98D1BD4D6FC7830E.pdf

Tom

 

[Vtshopdog]

We installed stacked units in our house in 2010.  Since then we have had occasion to make repairs to both units and pulling them out of the alcove is really a pain.  One, it's hard to get a good grip on them and two, the limited space available to pull them out makes maneuvering in a see-saw fashion very hard.  Shoving them back in their place is really easy...

My bottom line advise is give yourself as much room as possible within reason.

 

[dlu]

What I ended up doing was to allow 50mm (about 2") of room on either side. To prevent the space from becoming a collecting spot for dust and other detritus, I fit the trim close to the machines. After a bit of testing with loads of heavy laundry -- bath towels and a washable rug were the ones that caused the most vibration -- it seemed like about 4mm of reveal between the trim and the machines would do the trick. To make it easy to remove the trim to service the machines, I used Knapp fasteners to hold the trim in place.

 

[Sparktrician]

Be sure to leave yourself enough room to connect (and change) water hoses and a dryer vent hose.  You'll also be wise to remember to clean out the drain line and dryer hose occasionally.  And, too, it would be wise to place the water valves where they can be accessed easily.  A water-detect auto cutoff valve setup might also be a wise addition.  [smile]

 

[dlu]

It's a heat pump dryer and there is a water shut off is at the plumbing manifold. But, if I had it to do over again I'd definitely want to find a way to make the back of the machines easier to get at. I think an air sled base would be a product with promise for these kind of installations.