Platform for Washer and Dryer

[kcflhrc]

So we have a set of GE Front Loaders and my wife would like me to make a platform to raise them off the ground a little. I'm thinking a 2x6 frame and some 3/4" plywood on top with an overhang. Anyone done this and thought's? The 2x6 frame will run the perimeter with some additional 2x6 for cross bracing. Probably put some kind of board at the front as to make sure they don't jump off the platform. Probably use joist hangers for the cross pieces.

 

[marchanna]

Sounds like overkill to me. 2 x 4’s would be plenty. If they’re jumping around a lot, then you probably need to adjust the feet or run some washing machine cleaner through them to get out the caked on detergent at the the back of the drum.

 

[Peter 315]

We used 2x4's with 3/4 plywood that's plenty

 

[prichard]

I assume you are looking at 2x6 for the height? No need for joist hangers, just end nail or screw the cross pieces.

 

[Groo]

you can get fancy store baught ones with built in drawers

 

[kcflhrc]

I want the 2x6 for the height. They aren't jumping around, just a precaution if they do. A 2x4 is only going to raise them a little over 4 inches, hardly worth the effort is why I'm going 2x6. The store bought one's are about $500 for the pair. I can buy lots of lumber and beer with $500

 

[Bigkrank]

you can get fancy store baught ones with built in drawers

Yes to this but they can be pricey. Years ago in another house had the homemade platform thing. Great until all you would need is to slide one out a foot or so to do a repair and end having to take it off the platform.

I got the store bought ones now.

 

[shaeff]

I want the 2x6 for the height. They aren't jumping around, just a precaution if they do. A 2x4 is only going to raise them a little over 4 inches, hardly worth the effort is why I'm going 2x6. The store bought one's are about $500 for the pair. I can buy lots of lumber and beer with $500

Right on. We had a huge issue with our Samsung washer, I won't get into the debacle that turned into. We had the pedestals with them. Eventually got Samsung to reimburse us for both the washer and dryer, made Home Depot come get them, refund us 100% of our money.

Took that money, bought some 2x4's made a probably 1' tall pedestal using 2x4s and 3/4" ply. I built it like framing a wall for a house. 16" OC, along with a center support. It's rock solid. I wouldn't waste your money on 2x6. I jumped all over my platform and it didn't even bounce a touch.

Then bought really nice LG washer and dryer. Those have been problem free. The upside is that with my own built pedestal, the w/d actually fit in the closet BETTER than with factory units. Win/WIN!

 

[teejk]

2x6 is only 5 1/2"...add 3/4" is 6 1/4". That's a little raise but is it enough for SWMBO? I understand the desire to minimize the bending but moving up to a 2x8 or a 2x10 might fit the bill. Biggest issue IMHO is finding a stick lumber that will be straight (and stay that way) so I'd go with a glued-up laminate of 3/4" plywood instead (BC should suffice). There is some weight involved so maybe 2 frames instead of one or proper support to hold the 3/4" top? It's a laundry set up so I'd avoid particle board. And you might want to plan for those adjustable rubber feet.

 

[jfh28]

personally I think you are doing this backwards......if the design factor is making the height correct for your wife then you should be measuring where she would like the door and controls and then build it to that height....easiest way is take a piece of cardboard cut to the washer or dryer size and draw on the door and controls and then hold it up at various heights until your wife says this is good.......measure down to the floor and that will tell you the height of the base.....washer/dryers don't weigh a lot so it won't take much to hold them up.......Jack

 

[KennyG]

We've got the drawer bases for our Whirlpool W/D. Not sure if I would have paid for them but they came with the house. Really convenient, both from a height standpoint and storage space. They are about a foot high. I think you will find that's how high you want them.

 

[teejk]

personally I think you are doing this backwards......if the design factor is making the height correct for your wife then you should be measuring where she would like the door and controls and then build it to that height....easiest way is take a piece of cardboard cut to the washer or dryer size and draw on the door and controls and then hold it up at various heights until your wife says this is good.......measure down to the floor and that will tell you the height of the base.....washer/dryers don't weigh a lot so it won't take much to hold them up.......Jack

Washer/dryer don't weigh a lot? They weigh a lot empty! And then load them up with clothes that will soak up a lot of water (at 8 lbs/gallon) and will want to move around while they do what they have to do. I'd plan on over engineering this. Incremental cost will be zip. Do it once.

 

[grsthegreat]

i had a local cabinet maker build me a set with pull out drawers for mine. was cheaper and better than home depot set. Gives great storage for soap, etc.

 

[jfh28]

an LG WM4270HVA front load washing machine weighs about 200lb......average machines take 27 gal of water at around 225lb...energy efficient ones even less....so total load of 425 (this is not a big load in home construction) fully loaded over a rough platform size of 30 x 30 or 6.25 sf......so a live load factor of 68 psf ....throw in another 10psf for dead load.....we'll call it an even 80psf.......run the calculation for that using Home Depot hem-fir #2 at 16" o/c and a 2 x 4 will carry that load for a span of over 4 feet......remember this will only be spanning 2'-6".........if you want to play it safe up them to 2x6.....but the more important thing is to use 3/4" plywood with solid blocking under the machines legs so the load is transferred properly to the joists and is not sitting in between span on the plywood......the point I was trying to make before is its more important to get the height right for the people using it then to let lumber sizes dictate the height......Jack

 

[jfh28]

i had a local cabinet maker build me a set with pull out drawers for mine. was cheaper and better than home depot set. Gives great storage for soap, etc. View attachment 546072

that looks really nice......looks to be about 12" high.........Jack

 

[kthompson]

We had cabinet shop make and install a base with drawers with Formica top as you will have water sooner or later on it. Yes if you need to move them out for service it will be some pain but you could set up temp platform to slide them onto. 3.4 plywood is all used in ours and it is at least two years old. But it has plywood sides and back and front and also one divider between the drawers giving support to the top.

 

[kcflhrc]

After thinking about this maybe 2x8 or 2x10 with 3/4 plywood would be a better height. My wife is 5'3" on a good day so sizing it for her is the right thing to do. Even though I do more laundry than she does. These are front loaders with the controls on the front of the machines. Drawers would be nice but a pain in the butt.

 

[Groo]

I kept the wirlpool base and put it under the new maytag (I might have those brands completely off)

 

[teejk]

After thinking about this maybe 2x8 or 2x10 with 3/4 plywood would be a better height. My wife is 5'3" on a good day so sizing it for her is the right thing to do. Even though I do more laundry than she does. These are front loaders with the controls on the front of the machines. Drawers would be nice but a pain in the butt.

Drawers could be boxes on small wheels. They don't have to involve drawer slides. Not so sure what I would put in there if you already have storage for soap and stuff.

 

[Groo]

odd socks!