The manufacturer has the height on their spec sheets. Get the info for the one you are looking at and then add probably 1-2 inches for the space underneath. The washer has to have some room to jiggle around if it becomes unbalanced. There should be info on all the spec sheets for minimum clearance of the unit you are considering. Then add the counter-top specs. Again, this would depend on what type of counter-top you desire. So the Electrolux shows it's 38" high. Add the space (1" minimum) and counter-top(2") your counter-top height would be 41". Most washers are not as high as the Electrolux.

Also be aware that the counter-top will also stick out about another 6". The washer/dryer units are fairly deep and again depend on which model you purchase. So if you buy stock cabinets you will have to install side panels and kind of retro fit them so they look good from the inside. Otherwise you won't get a flush look and your sink will be too far back on the counter. And because of this it would probably be cheaper to have a local cabinet maker do custom cabinets.

Oh, I know the machines in the picture aren't Electrolux. I was just using them as an example, as I think they are the biggest units on the market. (Could be wrong!)

Any idea what machines are in the picture above?

The Electrolux is 38 and the LG and Samsung are 39 Â so IÂm looking at possibly 42" counter height. ThatÂs quite a bit above standard.

They look like the older model Maytags when Samsung was making the units. Maytag was putting their logo on the "eye" of the door.

As far as counter height, they are putting taller counters in bathrooms. If you are tall you might actually like the taller counters. Put something on your current counters to get you up to the desired height and see if it is something you can live with. Also, go and physically measure any unit before committing to the actual building of the counter-top. Better yet, have the actual units on hand.

The cabinet beside the units in your picture looks like a standard "run of the mill" cabinet. If you look at the toe kick area below the cabinet, it gives you some idea of just how high they raised the cabinets so they could place the counter over the units.

I think we would be happy with the height above the W/D for folding clothes, but we would not be happy to have the sink that high. So, we are now thinking of splitting the levels. Do you see anything wrong with this idea?

How many folks actually stack these units? I wonder if that would be an option. The W/D could be stacked leaving us with a longer run for the counter. We have 10 total  including the sink.

Thanks for your help housefairy. :-)

I have seen pictures where people do go up around the washing units and then down for the sink. If you do, I would make a solid stop on the side by the washer/dryer units. Basically a back stop or a step. This will make a barrier for keeping the water from running down the side of the washer/dryer units when you accidentally splash.

The only thing with stacking is make sure you can reach the controls for the dryer. Hopefully some store has them stacked just so you could get an idea of the height. So as long as you can reach both the controls and inside the tub, that sounds like it might work out better for your situation. Definitely something to consider. It would give you the nice clean lines that it appears (by your picture choice) you are looking for.

> Any idea what machines are in the picture above?

Frigidaire (which is made by Electrolux, but their lower to midrange machines use a different design and are shallower and shorter than most brands. The smaller, 24" wide laundry machines (i.e. Bosch Axxis) will fit under standard height countertops.