Question on tiling utility room, washer vibration.

[mkuttner]

I am looking at tiling my utility room with the following specifications: 8'x8', 2x10 joists, 16"oc with 23/32 OSB. I have a height restriction of 1.25" before I have to start replacing doors. I was thinking of doing a 5/8" (CCX) ply on top of the existing OSB followed by Hardibacker 1/4" underlayment.

Here comes the catch- I have a horizontal loading washer that can develop some pretty good vertical vibrations when spin-drying a load. My first thought was to add an additional 5/8" CCX ply under the washer/dryer section of the floor for a stiffer underlayment and diffuse the impact but I am thinking now that it will still transfer the vibration to the rest of the floor substrate.

With that in mind would it be better to just get some shock dampening material (eg. Sorbothane) and isolate the washer/dryer?

Has anyone here had a similar experience and cares to share their results?

Best Regards,

Martin

[John Bridge]

Hi Martin, Welcome.

If you do the floor right, I don't think your washer will be a problem. You'll have to keep an eye on the feet to make sure the rubber pads don't wear out.

The 5/8 ply over the osb sounds great. You might then consider the use of Schluter Ditra in place of backer board. It won't take up as much vertical space.

http://www.schluter.com