Things to Remember while Selecting the Right Drawer Slides

Drawer slides are a small assembly that is primarily used on drawers to aid in its fluid motion. Whether you are opening or closing the drawers, the slides facilitate the smooth transition of the drawer. Before the slides were actually implemented in drawers, it was met with pessimistic views. This was because many believed that adding an assembly to the drawers could lead to an increased amount of friction while sliding the drawers inside or out. 

When fixing drawer slides, one will need to increase the area of drawer sides. The expansion of drawer sides allows better motion. Majority of drawer slides are available with a set of small wheels that are part of the slide pair. Vice versa, the cabinet frame of the drawer is fixed with guiding tracks so that the wheels from the slides can connect effortlessly. 

Slides

Now, the slides cannot be complete without adding stoppers to it. The stoppers are part of the slide assembly, usually being a bend or narrowing of the gap. This not only adds to the stopping of the slide but also increases the drawer’s control movement. With the wheels now unable to exit at the end of the track, removal of the drawer is a problem. This can be solved by lifting the drawer to an elevation of 30 degrees. By elevating it, the drawer slide assembly can be moved over the stopper and taken out. 

9 Things to Remember While Selecting Drawer Slides

 

Drawer Slides

Selecting the right drawer slide for your bedside table drawer or kitchen cutlery cabinet can be a daunting task. Look at the drawer slides has so many options. Size, make, accessories etc. are just some of the things to keep in mind before visiting your local hardware store. 

Method

• Figure out which method is best suited for your drawer – Clamp, Dowel or Screw
• Some stores may not have 1 or even 2 of the above varieties
• Majority of furniture come with clamp fittings. The screw method is also common 

Position

• Locate where the drawer slide would actually fit
• Slides contain a ball bearing that needs to be fixed
• Look out for slides that come with rollers at the bottom
• Choose slides that come with multiple holes to fit easily 

Length

• The size of the drawer determines the slide length
• Measure it till the slide is closed completely
• Miniature/short slides are distinctly irregular 

Opening

• The extension of the slide is also judged as the drawer opening
• Go for a 3/4th slide which extends 3/4^th of a length more
• By contrast, kitchen drawers extend up to 100% and not 3/4^th of the length 

Load

• This is important because slides need to hold the weight of the drawer content
• The range of weight can be anywhere between 25-160 kg
• The ones above 160 kg are used to store industrial components 

Width

• The width indicates the space/distance between the drawer and slide
• This depends again on the above-mentioned factors 

Color

• For a change go for a zinc finish drawer slides
• The common colors are white, brown and black 

Motion

• There are 3 motions to choose from – Push, Self-closing and Soft closing
• Push motion removes the need for handles
• Self-closing ones return the drawer all the way to the cabinet
• Soft closing slides add a dampening and do not slam

Mount

• You can choose between 3 mounts – Centre, Under and Side
• Side mount slides are sold in sets of 2, with attached slides to the side
• Centre mount slides are sold single and located in the center
• Under mount, slides come with bearings but are not visible

Hence, it is indispensable for the client to consider the perfect length of cabinet slides and expansion while inclining toward for the correct one.