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Drawer slides help your drawers to function properly. They facilitate opening and closing of your drawers, thus providing easy access to its contents. Below, we highlight the various types of drawer slides with tips on how to choose the appropriate ones for the rooms in your house.
What Are Drawer Slides?
Drawer slides are mechanical components attached to drawers to help you move them easily. Two main components are attached during the manufacture of drawer slides for your cabinet. The stationary part is mounted on the frame while a sliding mechanism is fastened to the drawer.
Benefits of Using Drawer Slides
Here are the key benefits of using drawer slides:
Improved Functionality
Drawer slides ensure smooth and consistent drawer operation. With properly installed slides, drawers glide effortlessly in and out, eliminating the need for force or awkward movements.
Space Optimization
Drawer slides help to maximize available space so that the drawer does not take extra space. They allow you to extend and return the drawer to its original position after use.
Durability
Drawer slides help to make the entire unit long-lasting by reducing friction and wear. It also ensures easy operation.
Safety
Drawer slides use features like soft-close and self-close to enhance safety. These will eliminate noise, reduce wear, and minimize the risk of pinched fingers.
Aesthetic Appeal
Drawer slides are often minimalistic in appearance. They generally add to the beauty of a unit and some types are hidden from the outside to avoid distractions.
Types of Drawer Slides
We can classify drawer slides into different types based on a few factors. Here are the categories and their various types:
Based on Slide Mechanism
Here, we offer two different rail types: sliding rails with roller runners and ball bearing sliding rails.
Ball-Bearing Slides
These slides utilize small ball bearings for smooth and quiet drawer operation. They can support heavier loads.
Roller Slides
Roller slides use a roller or wheel to slide in and out. They are more affordable and easier to install.
Based on Slide Position
Drawer slides can be positioned beside the drawers or underneath them.
Side-Mounted Drawer Slides
These slides are positioned on both sides of the drawer and attached to the cabinet on the inside. Side-mounted slides are common because they can carry heavier loads. They’re also easier to install but will be visible when you open the drawer, which might not be great for the overall look.
Undermount Drawer Slides
As apparent from the name, they are mounted under the drawer, which helps to keep them away from view then the slides are open. Hence, they are preferred for aesthetics and modern or high-end cabinet designs. However, their positioning also makes it complex to install them compared to side-mounted slides.
Based on Extension
This is how you choose drawer slides by extension:
Partial Extension Drawer Slides
These slides allow only a small part of the drawer to extend out from the cabinet. They are common and cost-effective options but limit access to the back of the drawer.
Double Extension Drawer Slides
These slides extend more than partial extension slides but do not allow full access to the drawer’s interior.
Full Extension Drawer Slides
They allow a complete opening to provide full access to the entire drawer. This type is ideal for when you need full visibility and access to the drawer.
Super Extension Drawer Slides
Super extension slides extend beyond the frame of the cabinet, making them perfect for extra-deep drawers or drawers that need to be pulled out entirely, such as in tool chests or industrial applications.
How to Choose the Right Drawer Slides
Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when selecting the right drawer slides
Weight Capacity
One of the most important factors in choosing drawer slides is the weight capacity. The slides should be capable of supporting the expected load of the drawer, including its contents.
Mounting Style
Drawer slides come in several mounting styles, and the choice largely depends on the type of cabinetry and aesthetic preferences. You should also consider going for the simpler versions if you’ll be installing it yourself.
Extension Type
The extension type affects how far the drawer can open. Partial extensions are the most common, but they only give you very little access. Meanwhile, consider how much space you have before opting for longer extensions.
Special Features
Modern drawer slides come with additional features that can improve functionality and convenience. You can find drawer slides with different features depending on your preferences.
Environment
The environment in which the drawer slides will be installed is also important. Depending on the space available, you have the freedom to either extend or play around with more features.
Conclusion
Choosing the right drawer slides is essential to ensuring functional and durable storage, and assessing your requirements carefully will help you decide on what is best. By considering the factors above, you can find the perfect slides that align with your specific needs and the environment where they will be used.
