Boxing in a free standing washing machine

[SirGalahad]

Looks like our utility room is having a once over. We have two beautiful but big washing machines and dryer that we would like to put into cabinets.

The machines are both 60cm wide but quite deep. Would it be possible to buy 3 side panels and a worktop to construct a frame around the two appliances and then buy some doors.

Side panels are 18mm thick and factoring in the appliances at 600m plus about another 30mm for clearance will need a door that can span 650mm.

Has anyone tried this before or is it a non starter?

 

[bobasd]

most all modern appliances are dimensioned to fit off the shelf cabinets, just saying.

its simple enough to semi-box in and worktop over for a run of three individual appliances - but why the doors, and why 30mm clearance?
the w/t doesnt have to be a typical laminate w/t - you can use a sheet of 3/4" ply overlaid with a finished surface panel of whatever.

 

[SirGalahad]

The doors - the wife

30mm clearance as follows = 18mm side panel, 20mm gap, 600m appliance, 10mm gap - the reason there is 20mm gap one one side is that looking online the hinges are about 10-15mm high. Also I dont think anyone does a door in 620mm or 630mm - do Howdens?

 

[foxhole]

Washing machines which have doors are designed with hinge mounts on the machine , standard machines dont accommodate doors unless they are made to measure.
You dont need extra space as hinges sit forward of the w/m.
You would need short arm hinges, real pain to get doors on standard washing machine.
Put the Mrs off with the high cost.

 

[bernardgreen]

Dryers can get warm if not hot in an enclosed space, check the manufacturer's installation instructions about any need for free air flow and ventilation around the appliances.

 

[Ian H]

Your worktop might need to be a cut down breakfast bar if they are deeper than 600mm.

What about 2 standard 600mm doors and a 100mm infill at one end/in the centre using matching plinth?

 

[domdee]

i built in my free standing washer and dryer in my old house. i managed to use 600 doors by screwing a lat to the fame the lenth of the door to make a removable slam panel. i had to unscrew the hinges from the frame work i made though to get it in and out.

looked the part though and you'd never have noticed it was hand made. like above said about heat, i made sure i had plenty of room round top and bottom and sides to help circulate the air. the fact that i build a 2x3 frame work with 600mm opening helped with gaps as it was essentially a 600mm wide pluss 2" + 2".