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Do I need louvered doors on my W/D closet?

17 years ago

I am puting a Duet FL W/D in a closet in the hall that services the bedrooms. They will be side-by-side.

My plan was to use solid core french doors without louveres. My contractor feels that ventilation should be fine around the doors/under. But in the Whirlpool literature it shows ventilation openings in the doors...or says louvered doors are OK also.

So, is that my answer? or do folks use regular doors w/o much trouble....

Thanks,

DRK

Featured Answer

albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.

17 years ago

Our 'handyman', who didn't always know what he was talking about but who was rather keen on some subjects said it depended upon when the house was built and is it gas or electric; that well built newer homes were so tight that codes required an outside air for gas.

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Comments (7)

asolo
17 years ago
The dryer pumps a lot of air. If you intend to run it with the doors closed, they should be louvred or vented to an extent appropriate to allow sufficient air-flow.
dmlove
17 years ago
We usually just leave the doors open when we run the dryer, but we do plan to switch the doors out for louvered doors, or install a vent at the bottom of one of the doors. I'm pretty sure this is a code issue, too (not just a Whirlpool "suggestion").
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I like the clear glass better. Why? those are some expensive machines you got, so show them off! You would beleive the attention I got with my Kenmore HE3T set! When I replaced them, I wanted the Electrolux models, but my partner wanted a HE TL more than I did, so I found one. I too like the fact that the machines doors on the washer and dyer can be reversed...too bad Meile doesnt offer this for the price they charge for their stuff, no pun meant my that Miele lovers (Larsi) but a spade is a spade..LOL
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BenjesBride already drew out my suggestion -- thanks for that! Moving the washer/dryer to the hall seems to relieve a great deal of "busy-ness" in the small bathroom. However, going for all possibilities: With such a large pantry, why are you trying to fit these large machines into the small bathroom? They (and the water heater) could fit into the oversized pantry. I'd also consider a change with the water heater: Could you go with a point-of-use water heater, which requires less space in a small house? Or could you go with a "low boy" water heater /hidden under a shelf so that you could have some space up above for folding clothes? Finally, I understand that you're trying to have a door to the hallway AND your bedroom ... but in such a small space, the door swing is going to be problematic. I see two solutions: 1) make the door into your bedroom a pocket door. I usually would say something like, "Pockets are a bad choice for doors that're opened frequently", but since your goal is a hermit-like existence, I figure the door'll stay open most of the time anyway. 2) Go with a pocket door for your bedroom ... and place a hinged door in the hallway so that you have a small "hallway" that's part of the bedroom, and the bathroom door's in that small hallway. Yes, I think a closet is required for the room to officially be a bedroom.
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No, you can’t close solid doors while they are running, and not for a long while after all the loads are done either. A dryer especially requires a lot of air flow, because it’s constantly exhausting. A washer requires ventilation for the motor, and to dry out the interior. Front loaders require that you leave the doors ajar for them to dry out. You can’t even physically close the doors with the washer door open. Top loaders do too, but the space to do that is taken up vertically. It still requires air flow for quite a while after the cycles are completed. You are talking a recipe for mold and mildew and burnt up machines if you don’t have a louvered door..
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Ok... I just checked and measured etc... I can triple hang on the back wall there is enough room... no long dress but shirts, sweaters etc... Starting from 1 inch from the ceiling and using a pull-down bar as per latifolia's suggestion... and next one down moves back about 5 inches and adjust the height... I can then put shelves or I am thinking the third rod right below it. Now then the front rod can be removed or adjusted and can see what I can do next... I can get rid of that large canvas holdall and use baskets on my side of the wall... I can go as wide as 10 inches..... and either put a half rod in front I really don't want to double hang in the front.
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mike_73
17 years ago
I lived in a house for a short time years back that had a laundry closet off the kitchen. The doors were non louverd but one had a small vent near the bottom to alow air in for the dryer. I think its needed not just a sugestion. if you limit the air flow in and out of your dryer you will incress the drying time and it may cause the dryer to have hot spots inside due to the poor air flow. either way it will only make the dryer sound a little louder with the vented or louverd door closed than a solid door which is better than running it longer and wasting energy.
neetz
17 years ago
we have louvered doors on our first floor laundry alcove. It may have been a code issue, although we tend to run both the washer and dryer with the doors open. We also leave the doors open whenever it's particularly freezing outside since our machines are against an exterior wall and we wanted to make sure that the area stayed wamr (especially for the water pipes - it probably would not be an issue but we just wanted to make sure)
J D
5 years ago
Apparently a code violation (at least since 2006). Our condo unit failed an occupancy inspection and received a fine referring to IMC 504.2. I think the louvered area must be at least 100 sq inches.
juliacali
4 years ago
Can I do top louver and bottom solid panel for a washer/dryer closet?

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