Installing Laundry Room Countertops Over Washer & Dryer
Above the washer and dryer, a countertop offers counter space for folding clothes, a great location for detergent and other cleaning supplies, a work surface when you're at the sink, and as is the case in our home — space to stack the folded clothes for weeks until you put them away. In fact, having a countertop is essential for our laundry room renovation and a factor in our decision not to use top-loading appliances. It is not difficult to figure out how to build a laundry countertop, and it is a simple DIY task. No matter what kind of material you use for the countertop when installing your own counter over front loaders, the supporting framework will essentially be the same.
Materials Needed
- Screws
- Plywood
- 2" x 4" Wood For Supports
- 1" x 2" Wood For Middle Supports
- Laminate Veneer
- Paint & Wood Glue
Tools Needed
- Table Saw
- Miter Saw
- Stud Finder
- Driver Or Drill
- Level
Step 1: Prepare The Countertop
Prepare the countertop and shape it according to your preference. If you are using polyurethane to cure the wood, you may need to prepare it for 1-2 days.
Step 2: Measure The Walls And The Washer/Dryer Set
The countertop will be held up by a wood strip against the walls, sometimes known as braces or studs. Measure the height of the washer and dryer set, the sides, and the back of the wall. For the distance between the washer, dryer, and counter, allow 1 to 3 inches.
Step 3: Mark The Counter Installation Location Using A Level
To mark the location of the countertop's underside on the wall, draw a level line. In order to slide the washing machines in and out (which is helpful for any prospective repair work), make sure there is enough room so that the top of the machine and the countertops do not touch. An ideal spacing gap ranges from 1" to 3".
Step 4: Cut The Wood For The Braces Counter Support
Cut the wood to the rear wall's specified length and the washing and drying machine's depth. You should cut the wood at an angle to make it less noticeable when standing next to the countertop for the portions that will be closer to the washing and drying machine. To make the wood less noticeable from a distance, it might also be painted. Additionally, you must make cutouts for both sides of the wall braces. The middle support braces will use these as joint inserts.
Step 5: Installing The Wall Braces For Countertop Support
The wall braces should be fastened using a level and stud finder. The braces must be put in place on every side of the wall where the counter needs to be supported.
Step 6: Installing The Center Supports For The Laundry Countertop
Insert narrower wood 1-inch by 2-inch boards, which should be smaller than the braces that were on the wall, to strengthen the center of the countertops. To firmly fasten this brace to the other brace, you might choose to use wood glue.
Step 7: Attach The Countertop On Top Of The Braces
Attach the Countertop on Top of the Braces by simply sliding the countertop in place and fastening the braces with L-brackets.
Step 8: Add The Finish For The Countertop (Paint Or Veneer)
Add a laminate veneer to the countertop since it is economical, simple to use, and less susceptible to damage from heat or water.