2nd floor installation would depend on floor construction (age of house, spacing between joists, etc)

Whatever you buy, find out who will service it in your area.

thanks for your input. my house was built in 2005 and is very well constructed. the floor joists are no more than 16 inches apart and the W&D sit a few feet away from an engineered beam that runs perpendicular to them beneath the floor. the floor consists of an OSB subfloor and is covered in 3/4 tile. we currently have a 1.5 cu ft front loading GE washer and 4.0 cu ft dryer and the vibration is noticable. my concern is that if we go with a 4.0 cu ft washer, the vibration will be severe.

mcadamtwins, I've seen a number of posts online at various sites where people tell of having the Maytag Bravos washer/dryer on a 2nd floor, with no vibration problems at all. Didn't know if you had considered that. The washer is a toploading HE washer.

My Bravos set is not on a second floor -- we live in a ranch home -- but I love my w/d! :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Maytag Bravos washer and Reviews

thanks mara. we've been focusing on FL due to the vibration issue but also because we pay for our town water and would like to keep that cost as low as possible. i'll definitely take a look though!

mcadamtwins, Maytag Bravos is an HE washer, even though it is a toploader, meaning it uses much, much less water than a conventional washer -- while at the same time it is huge, holds much more laundry.

There are several reviews at the site I posted which were written by people who have 2nd floor laundries -- just none on the first page. The reviews about Bravos on a 2nd floor seem to be very positive.

I have bosch 500 machines on my second floor (third if you count the full basement) basically about dead center of my house with no vibration. Whatever you pick, good luck... every brand and model has it's supporters and detractors across the web. Just be sure you know who will service your brand and where they will come from.

Please be careful if your "W&D sit a few feet away from an engineered beam". There have been reports here and other places about W/D placed on second floors supported by these beams shaking the whole house and causing damage. Apparently some of these beams sit on the outer walls for support and any significant vibration is transferred to the walls. This seems to be a bigger problem over a large span, like a great room, which is where these beams are often used. Be sure you can exchange the W/D if you have any issues. Good luck.

oregpsnow, that's exactly the kind of risk that causes me the most concern. many thanks for your post and this site in general!

I have the LG steam washer and dryer, and once properly levelled, they run very smoothly. Mine are on the first floor, but I'd have less concern about these machines on the second floor than the Kenmore/Whirlpool ones I did have on a second floor. I use the medium spin speed for most clothing because of wrinkling issues with somethings that get spun on high, but even on the highest spin, these things are pretty darned smooth and quiet.

Can you find anyone you know who has the LGs or the Samsung? Once we got ours, I learned several people we know have them too. Most places will take a return for some period, so just ake sure of the length of time and the terms (i.e., does it have to be applied to another model or can you return NQA? If you have to exchange, does it have to be same price or higher priced model? Do they charge a restocking fee, another delivery fee, etc.)

Good luck. I really like our LGs, but I can't help you as far as the beam goes.

OP, a washer tech who frequents the CR forum says Samsungs are the only frontloaders he recommends for second-floor (or above) installation.

And, yes, the Bravos also do very well on upper floors.

HTH

Interesting stuff. We originally were drawn to the LG steamwasher. Then were thinking Samsung for the vibration. And then moved on to researching the TLs (e.g. Bravos). Sounds like if I can find a retailer that has all 3 and has a decent return policy, I can't go wrong too badly!

Does anyone know OP or how I can reach them? I would love to hear more about their option. Thx.

any comments on a Meile stackable on a 2nd floor?