Building a New Laundry/Utility Closet

[Ultramatic]

 

 

 

As some of you may remember, I have been wanting to build a Laundry/Utility closet in my home for quite some time. While actual construction won't start until mid-spring, I finally started taking measurements and made a simple 3D image.

 

I will be using four 30"x 80" louver bi-fold doors. I would prefer to use 30"x 90", but can not find any. I don't want to go the custom route. The closet will accommodate the Maytag 107, a Kenmore Calypso,  the current GE top freezer in the kitchen and the stacked Kenmore set. My question is, would there be enough ventilation for the refrigerator when the doors are closed? Or should I consider installing a thermostatically controlled exhaust fan? I would never run the washers or the dryer with the doors closed, but the fridge is another matter.

 

 

[this post was last edited: 3/8/2015-00:44]

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

A quick 3D sketch. The dark lavender colored wall would be the new addition.

 

 

[vacbear58]

Alterations

Louie

Will you have another fridge or or will the GE remain your daily driver? If so I think you will soon get very fed up opening a door to then open the fridge door. If it to be an overflow fridge that is a different matter otherwise it might be better not to have the doors cover the fridge

Al

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Oh no, it's going to be an overflow fridge. The kitchen will get the vintage GE I picked up last year.

 

[sudsmaster]

I've never heard of a combined laundry/refrigerator closet. At the very least you should build ventilation louvers into the doors. This is also recommended for laundry closets that hold clothes dryers, as these need to draw in a fair amount of air.

 

One thing that occurred to be before I read your post was to construct the closet so that the washer and dryer could change positions without having to build new plumbing/ducting. This might mean dual drainpipes and exhaust ducting. The closet in my home was built with the washer connections on the right, which has limited my front loading washer choices. And the closet is too shallow to allow for moving the washer to the left - it just barely fits as is. So that may be another caution: leave plenty of depth in the closet. Washers only seem to be getting bigger.

 

Your drawing indicates a 33" deep closet. I would consider that to be shallow. Remember, not all dryers allow one to vent down or to the side. It also depends on what's on the back side of the wall. Exterior wall, then you can vent directly back. Otherwise, you're going to have to vent to the side or down, which can add to the dimension requirements - if the dryer can do it at all.

 

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

The closet is going to contain an over flow refrigerator, not a daily use one. The only dryer in there will be a vintage Whirlpool/Kenmore portable on a rack. This dryer will be used rarely. It will be vented to the side, using an indoor lint trap filter. The main, full sized dryer will be in the kitchen, by the window. As for the washers, The Whirlpool/Kenmore portable, the Maytag and the Calypso will have enough clearance. The Calypso for example needs 31" 1/2 deep clearance. And it's the largest of them all. I could increase the depth to 34" if need be.

washer requires a space at least 27 inches wide, and 30 1/2 inches deep. The depth includes a 4-inch clearance at the back and 1-inch clearance at the front.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/list_7563300_kenmore-elite-calypso-specifications.html
washer requires a space at least 27 inches wide, and 30 1/2 inches deep. The depth includes a 4-inch clearance at the back and 1-inch clearance at the front.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/list_7563300_kenmore-elite-calypso-specifications.html

requires a space at least 27 inches wide, and 30 1/2 inches deep. The depth includes a 4-inch clearance at the back and 1-inch clearance at the front.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/list_7563300_kenmore-elite-calypso-specifications.html
requires a space at least 27 inches wide, and 30 1/2 inches deep. The depth includes a 4-inch clearance at the back and 1-inch clearance at the front.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/list_7563300_kenmore-elite-calypso-specifications.html
washer requires a space at least 27 inches wide, and 30 1/2 inches deep. The depth includes a 4-inch clearance at the back and 1-inch clearance at the front.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/list_7563300_kenmore-elite-calypso-specifications.html

 

 

[sudsmaster]

It's still a fridge, and as such, needs constant ventilation. It's a heat exchanger. How hard would it be to add vented louvers to those doors? And think of future owners/residents. They might want to use the closet as the main laundry washing drying area. As such, vented doors would be a must, maybe required by code.

 

Me, I simply took the louvered doors off my laundry closet. Too much hassle opening/closing them, plus when they were open they stuck out into the hallway, getting snagged. Maybe I just like looking at washers and dryers. The doors are in storage and could be put back on if ever needed (not).

 

 

 

[pulltostart]

I tend to think it would be fine, since all of the doors will be fully louvered.

 

However, if you find once things are in place you can still install the exhaust fan.

 

lawrence

 

[yogitunes]

well, Louie is using louvered bi-folds...(the only bi in that house..lol)....for one, that is more than enough ventilation, not to mention around the sides and top/bottom...

I removed them from my bathroom laundry, for one, you have to close the bathroom door in order to open the left side, these doors also blocked opening the dispenser drawer, and the dryer door from fully opening, not to mention the pedestals...without them, the room seems bigger....as mentioned, their in storage should we ever choose to put them back....

Louie, granted your only putting in the Calypso washer, and using that as a measuring device....consider space if for example, you were putting in the matching dryer, most of it would be the same as the washer, but the dryer has an 'extended' 2 inches on the back which should be factored in......

for that Calypso, you will also want to find hoses with the 90 degree bend, since those fill valves point straight out the back.....not a biggie, but for some installations, can be a pain if you want it close to the wall.....

when considering lighting.....over head is fine, but closest to the front of the closet, or against the front wall seems to work best for where you want it directed.....

not that its in the cards, but for some closets like this, they will add a floor mop sink, for buckets and such, but also with a hanging rod for drip drying clothes....a million ideas....

I want to come help....I like doing stuff like this....

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

Well Martin, as for a calypso dryer, it would be going into the kitchen, next to the window. I thought about the 90 degree angle hoses, I will definitely get them, so everything can snuggle up to the wall. The machines will rest on flood pans, just in case. I will instal a water cut-off valve under the kitchen sink. Having 18 apartments below you, well, a flood takes on new dimensions. I'll be using PEX for the supply lines and regular PVC for waste. I'm planning on 2 waste stacks, one for the Calypso, the other for the Maytag and the portable.  

 

As for lighting, already have a fluorescent lamp fixture ready to go over the washers. Now I'd LOVE a utility sink in there, but I'd have to let go of the stacked portables. Hmmmmm.

 

I have the room to use bi-fold doors so it's not an issue. Since this is facing the dining room, I don't want the machines on display.

 

[mrb627]

Perhaps

Consider a new heat pump dryer in a few years when they become more mainstream?

Malcolm

 

[yogitunes]

well, not that this would fit into vintage.....but they offer options, stacking, side by side, vent less dryer.....

just some ideas....

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/app/4902505576.html

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I prefer a full sized top loader. Can't get even a jock strap into those.

 

[cuffs054]

Well! Brag, Brag, Brag!

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

ROFL! Oh how I WISH!

 

[Ultramatic]

One thing leads to another.

 

 

Because of the dishwasher's arrival, I have to reconfigure the supply lines. And move the washer's new lines to the future Laundry/Utility closet.

 

Because I will be using the Whirlpool portable dryer from time to time, I recently purchased and installed a new indoor lint filter called BetterVent. It doesn't use any water, which was a big plus for me. Instead it uses a filter, not unlike an AC filter, to capture the lint/dust. Best filter I've used so far.

 



 

http://www.amazon.com/BetterVent-ADR1BVC-Indoor-Dryer-Vent/dp/B00Q4X2FSM

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

I am looking for full louver (plantation) bifold doors, 30"x 96" but so far nothing, well nothing that is affordable. HomoDepot has them, but not in any of their stores within a 100 mile radius from where I live. WTF?

 

[yogitunes]

was wondering how you were coming along with that laundry area.....

I like a lot of these new filter ideas for indoor venting......

curious of the filter media itself, as there used to be one I had decades ago, that used actual 20x20 heater filters....but to trap the fine lint/dust, I would spray the filter with lemon pledge, or even cooking spray to make it more tacky, granted it filled up a lot faster.....

are these ones reusable/washable or disposable?

 

[Ultramatic]

 

 

They are cleanable Martin. They recommend cleaning them after 3 uses. You get two to the package. However, the vent has an indicator flap that opens to tell you to clean the filter. So it's a bit confusing. I'll just wait for the flap.