The laundry room is one of the most important rooms in the home, even if it doesn't get much attention. It contains special appliances that operate differently than other machines. Does this room need to have a door? If so, does it need a louvered door? We've done the research to answer this question.
Having a door for your laundry room decreases the noise of the machines running that many people find annoying. If you do put doors on the room, they should be louvered or vented, or you should have another form of ventilation for the room. This is because the heat and humidity created by the appliances need a way to escape.
This decision is essential, which is why we've put together this guide to help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of doors for your laundry room. Keep reading for things to consider, as well as advice for making sure you love your laundry room. Let's go!
Advantages of having a laundry room door
Many people want to have a door to their laundry room for a couple of reasons.
Decrease unwanted noise
Most washers and dryers are noisy. The motors, especially in older machines, are loud, plus the clothes or items inside the machines make noise while being tossed around.
Depending on where your laundry room is located, this might be a problem. For instance, if your laundry room is near your living room, bedrooms, or dining room, the loudness could be annoying. Plus, it could affect the time of day that you can run the washer or dryer.
A door could help fight this unwanted noise by trapping it in the room. Though it won't eliminate all of the noise, it will decrease it significantly.
Hide potential disorganization
Most laundry rooms are not known for being attractive. Few people want to spend the time or resources making the laundry room look good since they don't spend much time in it.
This lack of design is a problem in addition to the clutter that often appears in laundry rooms. Dirty clothes, laundry baskets, and detergent are unsightly. Plus, many people use their laundry rooms as a storage catch-all. Cleaning supplies and other items find a home in the laundry room.
If this describes your situation, you might want a laundry room door to hide the mess.
If you want to make your laundry room look stunning (in a good way), check out this article for ideas: 21 Awesome Laundry Room Decor Ideas.
Disadvantages of having a laundry room door
Not all laundry rooms have doors, however. Why is this?
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Laundry rooms need ventilation.
Washers and dryers create a lot of heat and humidity. Washing machines use gallons of water, and dryers use heat to evaporate that water. Additionally, dryers need airflow to work correctly. Otherwise, they can't heat as well as possible.
If laundry rooms don't have ventilation, there's an increased risk of fire, and the excessive humidity will decrease the lifespan of the flooring, paint, and drywall in the room. If you have a non-ventilated door to your laundry room, you should keep it open while running the machines.
In the next section, we'll discuss how to get that ventilation, even if you want a door for your laundry room.
Do laundry rooms need vented doors?
Using vented doors for your laundry room is the most effective and affordable way to get proper ventilation to your laundry room. These doors can be closed while the machines are running, eliminating some noise and hiding the potential disorganization. There are two options for vented doors.
Louvered doors
A louvered door, like the one pictured below, has slats or blades that run horizontally. Most of these doors have wooden slats, though some are made of glass. There is a space between each slat that allows air to flow through.
Click here to view this door on Amazon.
Some louvered doors have slats that can be opened or closed if you want more privacy. For a laundry room, however, most louvered doors don't have this feature. Louvered doors can be normal swing doors, like the one above, or accordion-style, like the one below.
Click here to view these doors on Amazon.
Doors with vents
Another door that would work for a laundry room has a vent at the top or bottom. This option works for those who don't want a louvered door, like those who want all the doors in their home to match. If you want to convert your current laundry room door into a vented door, you can purchase a vent like the one below and install it on the door.
Click here to view this vent on Amazon.
Click here to view this vent on Amazon.
Exhaust fan
Another method of proper ventilation is installing an exhaust fan, like those in a bathroom. This can be a complicated and expensive process since it involves electric wiring. However, if you can't use a ventilated door for your situation or would prefer not to, you might want to consider it. Always consult a professional electrician before attempting any electrical work.
Click here to view this exhaust fan on Amazon.
Ventilation will help your laundry room smell fresh, but how can you make sure your laundry baskets smell fresh, too? Read this article for ideas: How To Keep Your Laundry Basket Smelling Fresh.
How do you soundproof a laundry room door?
If your door isn't soundproof enough for your taste, there are a couple of steps you can take to dampen the noise. Make sure you still have plenty of ventilation through one of the methods described below.
Put a towel in the floor crack
This is a simple fix that can help any room that needs to be quieter. Take a bath towel and roll it up horizontally. Then, stuff it into the space between the floor and the bottom of the door.
If you don't like how that looks, there are products available that look more professional and design-oriented.
Click here to view this product on Amazon.
Use a heavier door
One of the reasons noise might be coming from the laundry room is that the door is lightweight. This allows vibrations to get through, and might even make the door rattle and shake with the noise. Many homes have hollow core doors in the interior, which feel light and are more affordable.
Instead, look for a solid core door. Even though these are more expensive than hollow core doors, they will eradicate more noise than the lighter ones. If you use a heavy door, make sure to install door vents as we mentioned above.
Click here to view this solid core door on Amazon.
How wide does a laundry room door need to be?
A laundry room door should be at least 32 inches wide. This would make it wide enough for a washing machine and dryer to fit through, which is the most critical factor. Thirty-two inches also give you enough room to fit through the door while holding a laundry basket.
In Closing
Laundry room doors can help decrease unwanted noise that comes from the machines and can hide potential messes. However, if you're going to have a door for your laundry room, you should make sure they provide proper ventilation. Otherwise, excessive heat and humidity will build up.
We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision. Good luck with your choice!