How does stacking require more depth? I’ve had both types of machines over the years and have seen no difference. That said maybe he’s comparing an old top loader with a modern front loader? Front loading machines have gotten larger as people want larger capacity, but would be the same if you stack them or have them side by side.

Thank you!

Put the washer and dryer side by side. Removing the heavy dryer from the stack for maintenance and repair is a pain. Also, it's easier to install both appliances if they're both on the floor and accessible. If you want to put a counter over the appliances, make it removable so you can easily reach, pull out, and push in the appliances.

You can check depth requirements by reading the appliances' installation manuals.

I mean, the answer to this lies in the dimensions of the units you wish to purchase. Standard stacking units are not as deep as the over-sized units you show in your photo. So it boils down to whether you wish to sacrifice guest bedroom space for bigger machines. I think it might be a good trade-off if you rarely use the guest room.

Thanks for your suggestion. I have side by side today but on pedestals. I'm short so perhaps no pedestals and removable counter would work. Pedestals are not working for me today.

Thanks all. Yes! We have shutoffs behind ..low... the washer today. Big mistake. I was thinking of stacking full sized front loaders, not purchasing true stackables. Does this change your recommendations? I think I could be ok side by side with no pedestals and counter.
Great question about how we plan to use the guest bedroom. We do have house guests but they don't stay for long durations. I may squeeze a small desk in there for an office.

I like the look of stacked with the counter next to it. shouldnt require more depth. we just unstacked ours and put them on pedestals and i like not having to bend for the washer. Pedestals are not an option if you want the counter, but at least with stackables you dont have to bend for the dryer. brand new units probably wont need maintenance for forever and dryers are not that heavy- my boyfriend lifted ours off by himself and hes not particularly muscular. These were full sized machines and even when stacked I was able to wiggle them out from the wall on my own- and im a petite, pregnant female!

Thanks! I've never stacked so I have no experience or reference. Any extra vibration concerns in 2nd floor with stacking and no pedestals? Assume not.

I just remodeled and installed stacking washer dryer in a portion of one of my closets. It essentially looks like the photo you posted except that I am using the rest of the closet for regular closet stuff instead of dedicating it to more laundry area.

I have never heard of stacking machines being deeper than if installed side by side but obviously you need to make sure specifications are given to whoever is building the laundry closet.

I bought the Bosch accessory which has a slide out shelf between the units so that theoretically I have someplace to place clothing which gives me the benefit of a counter.

I have a Bosch unit and there isn't any vibration or noise. I don't know if this is true for all brands since Bosch is known for their exceptionally quiet dishwashers (have one of those as well).

I installed a water alarm as well as a pan for my unit so that if there is any water detected the water supply automatically shuts off. The specific Bosch model I bought also has extra heavy supply lines with double lining of some kind. A flood would be catastrophically expensive so I have taken all steps necessary to prevent damage. I also installed the water alarms for my dishwasher and the water line to the ice maker in my refrigerator.

if anything i bet stacked units vibrate less as each machine is attached to another heavy machine and not a relatively lightweight pedastal. the only thing i could think of is to make sure the floor can handle all the weight in one spot but it would prolly be fine

Just thought I'd post a few I have in my ideabooks.

Contemporary Custom Built ins, Bernardsville · More Info

City Condo in the Sky · More Info

2017 ARDA - Indoor Living - Visbeen Architects, Inc. (1) · More Info

Brooklyn Heights Duplex · More Info

I have 3 furnished units so I did both setups... 2 stacked and 1 side by side. I must say that with the side by side arrangement when I open the doors to the closet it looks like a real laundry area with a folding counter and a long rod to hand shirts. I also put a small table top ironing board in there for countertop ironing. The same space with a stackable would be less usable for folding as soon as you hung a few shirts up.

Any frontloader pair with the controls on front are stackable.

There are some frontloader models (or have been in the past, such as the original Maytag Neptune and some Speed Queen models) that have a backsplash control panel on top, which obviously are not stackable.

There are also unitary STACKED sets (built as such and cannot be operated in a separated configuration), with either toploading washers (the lid opens up into a space beneath the dryer), or frontloading washers. Those, particularly units with topload washers, tend to be less deep than separate machines.

As someone with some experience in the repair field and following some technical discussion boards ... stacked frontloader sets are sometimes difficult to access for service. The dryer almost always has to be removed for ANY kind of service on the washer. Servicers almost *always* charge more to deal with stacked sets. Units in closets or enclosed/recessed spaces, a few servicers may refuse to deal with them unless the homeowner takes care of pulling down the dryer before the servicer arrives (and also must take care of putting it back up).

>>>"Architect recommends not stacking since stacking requires more depth . . ."<<<

Could you ask the architect what (s)he meant?

In the meantime, there are some logical explanations for what was said. One is that the architect may be thinking of stacking with a vented dryer where the dryer vent is down at floor level. You have to provide enough space behind the washer and dryer to run the dryer vent ducting down to meet the vent. Even with a space saving "persicope" vent duct down to the floor, you still need room behind the washer and dryer stack to run it and that adds to the depth needed by the stack.

Another thought is that the architect may have been thinking of having the water supply and drain on the wall above and behind the washer. With a stack, your dryer and ducting will block access to the shutoffs and drain unless it is positioned far enough out from the wall to leave you with enough room to reach back and shut off the water when there is an emergency or if maybe you prefer to shut off the water whenever the machines are no in use.

Also, I should ask, with space being at a premium in your condo, have you considered or would you consider a compact washer and dryer set for your second floor laundry closet? They are several inches less deep than full size sets. Also, numbers of the compact dryers are ventless models (i.e., condenser and heat pump models). Those units avoid the need to deal with vents and further reduces the depth needed for the laundry closet.

Thank you all for your insights. You may be right about the vent and water, though I thought the architect mentioned support bracing. Either way, given all the feedback, I am thinking side by side would be better than my inspiration photo. Either way, I will look into Bosch. Thanks again!

While looking into Bosch, you might find it helpful to read through Rococogurl's longish and positive thread on the Bosch 500 series washer and dryer set. She installed a year and something ago. You can find the thread here if interested. Another compact set that garners mostly favorable reviews is Electrolux's Euro-built compact washer and condenser dryer, ELFS210tiw and EFDE210tiw. Then there are the Miele W-1 washers and T-1 heat pump dryers. If the high prices don't deter you, you can find a lot of info about using them in the very long currently ongoing thread, Miele W1/T1 Washer and Dreyr.

You need to actually purchase the units to stack you can’t just stack any old W/D and I have no idea why they would require more depth stacked.

I switched from side by side to stackable and much prefer it. I'm only 5'2" so the counter on top is tall and couldn't reach cabinets above. Now we have laundry baskets where the side by side were and I can fold on top of counter and put in baskets. I can reach cabinets because the appliances don't stick out which prevented me from reaching.

I got the Bosch 800 compact washer and dryer. It was slightly more expensive than the 500 series but it had increased protection against leaks and I wanted that extra protection.

The dryer is ventless and the machines don't generate excess levels of steam or whatever. Bosch is a German company and Europeans generally have these style of compact ventless dryers in their home so the technology is well developed. You need to keep the door open when using it but that's not a big deal for me.

Obviously they aren't as huge capacity as standard large American machines but they actually do quite large loads and because they are installed in such a convenient location, it's not a big deal to run an extra load rather than cram more stuff into one load especially when one factors in sorting clothing properly.

Build your 2nd-floor laundry room to accommodate full-size appliances, not these compact ones. There are far fewer compact models on the market, many don't perform well (per Consumer Reports), they are small, and they are expensive. The least-expensive Miele W1/T1 stacked pair is over $3000, and the Bosch models are $2300-$2600. In comparison, two CR top-rated LG pairs are $1400-$1700.

Full-size appliances don't require that much more space than compact ones. Here are comparisons of required dimensions for two washers mounted under a counter:

• Bosch 500 (compact): 23.8"W x 35.5"H x 28"D
• LG WM3500CW (full size): 29"W x 39.25"H x 34.25"D

I have compact appliances. They're okay, but I searched the dimensions of every possible full-size model before buying them.