That's interesting. I probably wouldn't be asking this question, if they were still making washers the way they used to. I didn't find the old versions very noisy at all, but the new front loading machine that we have in the basement, is really loud. I can hear it on the first floor even when the TV is on. The older top loaders we used to have, you could not. Plus the wash lasts for a much longer cycle. So maybe it depends on which washer /dryer you buy. Maybe I should stick to a quieter, top loading machine.

Yes, the vibration of the washer is a big part of the noise, since the new washers spin so fast.

The floor pan with the drain is pretty unattractive looking. Did you have that under your stacking machines in your bedroom closet? I think this is what you mean, right?

Yes, I had a pan like that.

Another noise issue with HE washers is the water valves frequently opening and closing. It's all very complicated now

Our builder put a laundry closet on the second floor, right outside our MBR. 24 years - no issues. And, as dz mentioned, it's nice to have the family laundromat central to all bedrooms: it's a snap to get all the laundry put away...no procrastination due to distance. Our LG washer is only a few years old, and if the load is balanced properly, we can't hear it spin (vibrate) at all.

Glad it is working out for you, Javiwa. I wonder if your contractor put your machines in that pan that is in the photo above?

prairiemoon - Yes, being on the second floor, we do have a pan underneath the washer (one wouldn't need one for the dryer - no possibility of leakage); ours looks similar to this one -- drain hole to the rear, and we have a PVC pipe connected and leading, well, not sure where (but DH does!):

I had to do a few double takes at the picture you posted as I'd never seen a pan that large/hefty/chunky -- realized they built moulding around the entire two units to match the existing baseboard/moulding. I guess they had to do that, given where they located the WD (bathroom was their only option, I suppose), but I can't imagine having to lift the units up-and-out (or up-over-and-in) when it comes time to replace or repair.

Leave it in the basement.

You'll get exercise, burn some calories and if heaven forbid there's a leak, you won't be replacing floors and ceilings.

And if you forget to run the washer, like I do, starting it right as you go to bed is not big deal.

prairiemoon2 z6 MA

That's interesting. I probably wouldn't be asking this question, if they were still making washers the way they used to

******

That would be my biggest worry too. I'm hanging onto my washer and dryer as long as I can!

I watched one man carry my washer down my steep basement stairs on his back using straps. Two experienced delivery men will be able to get a washer into any pan configuration. Compared to getting a large cast iron tub up the stairs and into a new master bath it is not a big deal.

I like my basement laundry. But I think a lot of people in larger houses would prefer a proper second floor laundry room with a least the size of a small bedrooms. I think this isn't done more because peak laundry years are also peak kid years when the space is needed for children.

As a builder I probably should have made the fourth or fifth bedroom changeable to a laundry. It wouldn't cost much during new construction to put in some extra plumbing and electric and then hide it.

Javiwa, that photo of the pan under your washer doesn’t look too bad. And you’re right it only needs to be under the washer. It is the hefty/chunky ‘pan’ in the photo that I posted, that I wouldn’t want.

Mimipadv - Yes…would be happy to burn calories doing stairs, but we’re thinking in terms of wanting to use our house as we age and stairs can be difficult.

We never do laundry at night, either.

Dzzmiller - The old top loading machines were not all that heavy to move around, but the new front loading machines are heavier than those.

Yes, a cast iron tub on the 2nd floor would be a challenge. [g]

You make a good point about ‘peak’ laundry years.

I’ve seen washer/dryers in closets in a hallway that hold a stackable set of machines that don’t require a whole room for a laundry. I was talking to a woman who moved her washer dryer from a closet in a hall outside her kitchen to the second floor. She made a good point, that the laundry on the first floor was right near the back door and when people would come in the house, all the laundry was always piling up around that area, either clean or dirty waiting to be processed. So that’s also a good consideration to where to have the laundry. We also line dry a lot of our clothes, so that is another consideration.

In my house the laundry room is on the main floor, quite near the master bedroom. There is just a powder room in between. It has never been a problem for us. Our machines are right on the floor, no pans or anything. I didn't even know such things existed until I found this forum.

I like the laundry room being nearby. It makes doing the laundry much easier, as I just start a load, then go about my other business, and wander in anytime if I want to check on something or add something into the load.

Oh, and my washer sounds like a jet taking off, but I just close the laundry room door, and it's not a bother.

Simple answer yes. Soundproof your walls and floor in the basement. I believe in garment rooms rather than laundry rooms and big closets.
Most of us store alot of our wardrobe in the laundry room if we have the
space. As a designer I would not stack the appliances if possible
especially if this is your foreverhome. Put a solid door on the room to
really cut the noise. Be kind to yourself and add the drip tray and use stainless hoses, perhaps unattractive but it will give some sanity. And add items to hang your laundry: it saves money, wear and tear on garments and the environment. It is also hip again: lol.