A washer and dryer is undoubtedly an important component of any modern home. If you have enough space in your home, planning for a separate laundry room would be a great idea, but if you do not, then getting a stackable washer and dryer would be your best option. Whatever the case, you want to get the right washing machine size for your space.
Average Washer and Dryer Sizes
The Standard washing machines and drying machines have different dimensions from stackable washers and dryers.
Nearly all machine producers will tell you the height, width, and depth of their washer and dryer units right away, but to determine the right size of washer and dryer for your space, you will need to add some clearance space.
What is Clearance Space?
Clearance space is mainly an extra room that is left at the back and at the sides of a washer and dryer. This space is crucial to your washer and dryer’s life span as there needs to be air circulation around the machines.
Having some extra space around your washing machine also reduces the amount of noise being emitted when they’re operating.
If there is no clearance space available, an operating dryer or washer could bang into its surroundings, thereby damaging some components in the machine.
To ensure that you keep to the standard proper clearance space around your dryer and washer, there needs to be an inch in space length between the units and anything placed beside it.
It is also compulsory to leave 4 to 5 inches of space between the back of the washer and the wall.
Standard Washer And Dryer Dimensions
For Standard washers and dryers, you can expect a width of about 27 inches. If you plan to have these units placed side by side, that’s an additional 27 inches, so you will need about 54-inches of space.
There’s also a need to add about one inch of space between the appliances and their surroundings, so that’s technically around 57-inches of space.
There are some variations in the heights of standard washers and dryers. A washer or dryer has a standard height of 35 to 43 inches on average considerations.
For depth, you can expect a standard washer or dryer to come with 28 to 34 inches of depth size. Ensure you also factor in the 4 or 6 inches of clearing space needed before deciding on the proper depth for your units.
Front Load Washers
A front-load washer or dryer is mainly a washing machine with doors in front. You must open them from the front to remove or fill clothes in the washing units.
This type of washers and dryers come in the standard washer and dryer dimensions, although you can also get front-load washers and dryers in other types of dimensions as well.
If you are opting for a front-load washer and dryer, there is one other dimension you will have to consider: the space in front of the washer or dryer.
Always ensure that you have at least 24 inches of empty space in the front of your front-load washer and dryer. This is very important as it ensures you can open the door fully.
Stackable Washer
This type of washer and dryer are rising in popularity, especially for condo and apartment, because they occupy minimal space when compared to having a separate washing and drying unit.
We have two stacked units available: freestanding and single units. These are generally front-load washers and dryers, though a single unit might have a front-loading dryer paired with a top-load washer.
A single unit washer and dryer (also known as a unitized washer and dryer) is an appliance that is “stacked” and connected to a single unit.
The width for these types of washers ranges from 24-27 inches, with a height of about 70-76 inches while having a standard depth of around 27-32 inches. However, you will certainly need a deeper space of up to forty inches to accommodate plugs and hoses.
Stacking kits connecting the washer and dryer keep them fixed together safely as one unit. They are also designed to ensure that there is a proper distribution of weight among both appliances.
They are also capable of absorbing the vibrations from the dryer and the washer when they are running.
If you’re using a stacking kit for your machine, you will essentially end up with a unit with its dryer at the top while the washing machine is at the bottom. You need to use this configuration to ascertain that the weights of your appliances are evenly distributed.
Washing machines, especially when filled with wet clothes, become too heavy to be on top. This also includes when they are in operation. They tend to vibrate more, so the entire machine will be steadier and more secure if the washer is on the bottom.
Generally, you can fill any freestanding washing and dryer unit on top of another. Just ensure that the width and the depth measurements are equal. If one unit is a little bigger than the other, you should still be able to stack them properly and effectively as long as the bigger unit is on the bottom.
Since your washer is at the bottom, you won’t be able to purchase a top-loader washer unit. nearly all stackable washers are front-loading units.
To determine the total height of your stacked machine unit, just add the individual heights of each unit (the washer and dryer unit).
Compact Washer And Dryer Dimensions
The Compact washers and dryers are designed to fit perfectly inside small homes, closets, and apartments. This gives you the flexibility to align them side by side, stack the appliances, or even install them underneath your kitchen counters for more space-saving possibilities.
The Compact washers and dryers range from around 24 to 26 inches wide, 33 to 36 inches tall, and 24 to 26 inches deep.
The height will extend for stacking, so ensure you account for an area that is approximately 25 inches wide, 24 to 26 inches deep, and 66 to 72 inches tall.
For aligning compact dryers and washers side by side, you will be using up roughly 34 inches tall, 25 inches deep, and 48 inches wide of space. Remember always to leave one inch of space between the appliances.
Whether you are aligning side by side or you are stacking, remember to give room for at least six inches of clearance in the back for hoses and ventilation.
Large Capacity Washer And Dryer Dimensions
Large capacity washers usually have more than 5 cubic feet of capacity, enough capacity to launder a king-size comforter and sheets in a single load.
A large capacity dryer normally has a capacity of around seven to nine cubic feet, enough to handle 18 to 25 mid-size towels in one drying cycle.
Getting The Proper Measurement For A New Washer And Dryer
Along with measuring the size of your machines, there’s a need to also determine the laundry area’s width, height, and depth to ensure a proper fit.
Try also to account for 6 inches of space between the back wall and 1 inch between the appliances for proper side-by-side placement.
What you’ll need:
- Measuring tape
- Pencil and paper
Step 1: The Proper Measure for washer and dryer width
Measure the width of your washer and dryer, from left to right, using your measuring tape.
For flexibility, add an inch to your width measurement. This will be for buffer space between each part of the wall. To help reduce noises from your appliances when they’re set in place, add an extra one-inch gap between the appliances.
Step 2: The Proper Measure for washer and dryer height
The second step is to measure the height of your washer and dryer. To give room for flexibility and efficiency, try to add an extra two feet for easy loading and unloading of top load units.
Step 3: The Proper Measure for washer and dryer depth
Lastly, calculate the depth of your washing and drying machine from front to back. Try also to add about 6 inches to your depth measurements to give sufficient space for hoses and venting in the back of the appliance.
For front load, add around 4 feet to your measurement. This is to allow for extra space in loading and unloading your laundry.
And if your appliances are placed inside a closet, make sure that the closet doors can fully open and close without any obstacle.
Step 4: Mapping out and measuring a path for washer and dryer delivery
After taking your measurements, the final step will be determining the best entry path to your desired installation location.
Starting from the entrance to your home, measure the width of doorways and hallways. This is to ensure the washer and dryer can be maneuvered into place.