Appliance Isolation

hochpt21

I know there have been threads about this in the past, but I am looking for some cost-effective solutions.

I currently have a washer, dryer and dishwasher on the main level that the wife likes to run just before I'm about to sit down with the main rig.

I see some highly reviewed vibration pads on Amazon for about $30-40 per set of four. Is that about right? Or could I make do with something cheaper?(this would be for the washer and dryer)

For the dishwasher, I feel like I've heard about folks using dynamat, but our unit is fairly old, so I'll probably just plan on replacing that with the quietest model I can find.

So I guess mainly...what is the best, most cost effective isolation for washers and dryers.

Thanks,
Paul

rpf65

Grainger sell anti vibration pads for about $5 each. They're probably about 2 square inches, and should work for your application.

Work for condensers, so appliances should be no problem.

SCompRacer

Paul, to add, here is a good article on appliance noise. Maybe a diy acoustic blanky type thing...lol Think moving quilt like.


http://www.designworldonline.com/new-materials-quiet-noisy-appliances/

westmassguy

I'll add my 2 cents, since I've attempted quieting all the above. The Dryer is usually the quietest of all unless there's a pair of sneakers rolling around. get some 3" or 4" square cork/neoprene pads for the feet. The side wall of the cabinet could be Dynamatted, but it will cost a fortune.
The Dishwasher can be quieted down by adding an acoustic blanket over the back of the cabinet. There may be a fiberglass blanket there now. In my last house, I also separated the door, and added insulation wrapped in 4 mil plastic to dampen noise coming through the front. The lower removable panel, should also have some damping/sound absorbing material applied to the back. For vibration, some thin cork/neoprene pads can possible be inserted under the adjustable feet, although it's usually very tight in there. The dishwasher also bolts or screws to the underside of the counter top to keep it from falling forward when you open the door. You may be able to drill out the holes in the brackets, and insert rubber grommets to isolate the counter top from some of the vibrations.
The Washing Machine is probably the hardest to quiet down. They make heavy rubber doughnuts for the feet, but there's always a problem with the machine creeping around due to inertia from the agitation and spin. You could probably figure out a way to secure at least the front doughnuts or isolators to prevent this. Damping the cabinet with Dynamat would be as expensive as the dryer. Lot's of floppy light weight sheet metal to cover.