I have had 2 different sets of front loaders and I LOVE them. My first set, when I divorced and moved to an apartment with no washer/dryer hook ups, I gave to my parents. When I remarried and moved I bought a set of front loaders again. Loved them! When my Mom died and Dad moved in with my sister, I gave my 2nd set to friends and i got my first set back!
I have never had a problem with leaking. WAY BACK years and years ago, the old front washers did have trouble. If you have trouble check that you do not have a string or other object on the seal. Front loaders are more gentle on your clothes, take less water and soap, because they spin your clothes drier, the clothes dry faster.
I had a contractor convert a small main floor bedroom to laundry room. Because I was adding plumbing etc, I had the floor built higher across the whole back wall, it served as a platform.
There used to be a tax credit for replacing your old top loading washer with front loader, I do not know if that is still true. We noticed a drop in our electrical bill when we replaced the top loader set with front loader.
Best of luck! You've had LOTS of opinions and info to consider!
