Tips for Choosing Drawer Slides

Nothing can influence the quality of a project more than the drawer slides the user chooses. Whether it’s for the office, shop, work station, break room, or for a personal project, selecting the right drawer slides can add the right touch to any space.

Choosing the Right Slides

When selecting two-way slides, the installer must consider the mount, extension type, and slide length, weight limit, color, finish, and brand. There are five different mounting options; and typically, the type of option chosen is determined by factors like, the amount of space inside the cabinet, slide visibility, and cost.

• Bottom-mounted slides are typically guided by rollers rather than by ball bearings. The mount has an angled flange that holds the drawer box and indexes the slide for quick, easy installation. These are most often used on frameless cabinets, but can be adapted to face-frame cabinets as well.
• Side-mounted slides are attached horizontally to the cabinet body and to the drawer. These slides are useful in multiple applications because of their durability and high weight limits. Side-mounted slides can be bought with either a roller or ball bearing mechanism, but the latter are more durable over time.
• Center-mounted slides mount under the drawer’s center. They somewhat restrict drawer height, weight limit, and cabinet size, but they are simpler to install.
• Under-mounted slides mount to the cabinet sides. They are ideal when accentuating the cabinetry’s quality because they are invisible. These slides are perfect in areas with limited horizontal space.
• Groove-mounted slides aren’t commonly used in the U.S., but they can be seen on crafted furniture imported from Europe. This access hardware has a lighter load rating and is only used in partial extension variations.

Choosing the Right Slide Length

Users should consider the right extension and slide length when choosing a set of drawer slides. They can last for many years, which makes it important for the assembler to choose a configuration they will be happy with for a long time. There is nothing as frustrating as a drawer that will not open as far as it should or a countertop that keeps the drawer from being opened at all. By choosing the right spring-loaded drawer slides, problems such as these can be avoided.

Download free CADs and try before you buy

Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.

Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.

Questions?

Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.