Undermount drawer runners are a premium option for high-end cabinetry. They conceal hardware beneath the drawer box and give your cabinets a clean look.
Slides come in a variety of lengths and weight capacities to accommodate specific cabinet depths. They are also available in telescopic and push-to-open styles for added convenience.
Ball-Bearing Slides
Ball-Bearing Slides are a great choice for heavy drawers that you use often. They offer a higher load capacity than roller slides, longer available extensions, and superior durability.
Drawer slides are an essential part of cabinets and desks. Choosing the right type can help you avoid jamming or sticking, and save you money in the long run.
Ball-bearing undermount drawer runners are the standard in most home and office furniture. These slides have a heavy duty design and can support up to 100 pounds when fully extended. They are also a good choice for heavy filing systems and other drawers that need to be accessed from all angles.
Roller Slides
Roller slides are designed to provide precise linear movement for medium to heavy loads. Their improved stiffness and rigidity means they are more reliable under vibration and shock conditions.
They also offer a smooth, quiet motion that is not prone to pulsations like recirculating linear guides. They can be fabricated with either metal or plastic cages that prevent contact between the rollers, thus reducing friction and extending their lifespan.
These slides are typically used in household applications that require fairly lightweight loads and a horizontal configuration. They can be mounted on the side of the drawer or in a bottom-mount or center-mount configuration.
Self-Closing Slides
Self-closing undermount drawer runners are designed to close and stay closed. These features make them ideal for applications like kitchens where it’s important to avoid food particles from falling out of the drawer, or in homes with young children.
They also prevent noise and damage by minimizing the amount of slamming that happens during opening and closing. This feature is perfect for many types of cabinets and furniture, such as office desks or entertainment centers.
They’re rated for a specific weight capacity and are usually made of steel, which makes them durable. They also come in different lengths to fit most drawers. These include full-extension and 3/4-extension options.
Soft Close Slides
Soft close drawer slides offer a smoother closing and less noise than self-closing models. They prevent heavy drawers from slamming shut, as well as keep your content secure and in place until you open the drawer again.
They come in a variety of styles, including European, ball-bearing, and undermount. In addition, some slide styles feature hydraulic runners that provide additional sag resistance and load capacity.
These features make these slides the top choice for high-end cabinetry, and can also help save you money in the long run by minimizing wear and tear.
For example, they’re great for households with small children because they don’t have the strength or coordination to close a drawer on their own. They also reduce the chance of finger injuries and banging noises in areas like bedrooms or nurseries where acoustics are critical for comfort.
Drawer slides are an essential part of any home renovation project, so it’s important to choose the right style for your application. When choosing a style, consider the weight ratio of each type of slide to ensure it can withstand the load you’re storing in your drawers.