If your drawers are binding, sticking, refusing to move, or creating unpleasant noises, it’s likely that the drawer slides require replacement. Precise measurement of drawer slides is crucial for replacements or new installations, ensuring a proper fit and the longevity of your drawers. Understanding how to measure drawer slides is essential for maintaining the functionality of your drawers, whether you’re setting up replacements or repairing existing slider gear.
What are drawer slides?
Almost all drawers have drawer slides installed. The set includes two for each side of the drawer and two for the cabinet. The Nylon bearings glide into corresponding guides, allowing the drawer to operate smoothly and quietly. If your present drawers stick, bind, make noise, or won’t move at all, it’s likely that the bearings are worn out. With just a screwdriver, you can change any style of the drawer slide. They are available in a variety of lengths. Choose the appropriate ones.
What are the different types of drawer slides?
There are 6 types of Drawer slides:
- Ball Bearing type Drawer Slides
- Under-mount type Drawer Slides
- Ball Bearing Soft close type Drawer Slides
- Center Mount type Drawer slides
- Side Mount type Drawer Slides
- Roller Slides
Drawer sliders allow you to correctly open or close cabinet drawers. Therefore, you should decide which style of drawer slide will work best for the cabinet without setting up anything. Next, discover the exact schematics of the current drawer plus cabinet by measuring them. You’ll be ready to buy and set up your new cabinet drawer slides in simply a couple of minutes!
How to Measure Drawer Slides step by step procedure
- Pull the drawer out of the cabinet
- Measure the box, not the front of the drawer
Do not measure the drawer’s front face as it obstructs the drawer from entering the cabinet. Begin at the backside of the box as well as to measure to the front, except the drawer face. Rounding the number down once you’ve determined the length. When the drawer is 20 12 inches long, for instance, you’ll require 20-inch drawer slides.
- Measure the width of the drawer as well as the width of the cabinet opening
Measure the width of the drawer
You could use full-extension guides when the gap between the width of the drawer as well as the width of the opening is less than 1/8 inch. To make the drawer function with the new slides, you’ll need to utilize bottom-mount guides or perform some carpentry work whether they’re less than and over 1/8 inch.
- Examine the interior of the cabinet’s and the drawer’s outside
Improper installation or a bad design could have resulted in premature wear on the drawer slides. Use smaller slides to prevent rubbing against the inside of the cabinet. If that’s the case, you’ll have to utilize smaller slides to prevent the same problem.
If you’re still unsure about the size of slides to buy after measuring, take the drawer with you. You might feel confused, but the person selling the slides will most likely know how to measure your drawer and provide you with slides that fit precisely.
What is the best location for drawer slides?
Maintain a level for the drawer in front of the cabinet. Insert the ends of the drawer slides within or in the cabinet’s tracks. Slide the drawer into location by pressing uniformly on each side of the drawer.
Features of Drawer Slides
Various characteristics can give your home some personality.
At the moment, there are drawer slides as below with the corresponding motion characteristics:
- Easy Close and Soft Close – Soft close and easy close features relate to the same feature. Easy or Soft Close drawer slides slow down the closing of your drawer, preventing it from slamming shut.
- Self Close-Whenever you gradually press the drawer inwards from a position, this drawer slide feature would pull it closed. Ensure the drawer selected for this type of slide doesn’t contain anything delicate or loud, as this function isn’t gentle and will securely close your drawers.
- Touch Release- Touch release is one of the more aesthetically pleasing features, allowing you to be using drawers with no handles on its front face. Simply press inwards gently to open the drawer from its closed state. Touch Release adds a touch of enchantment to your home.
- Progressive Movement- Progressive movement improves the usual slide to create a smoother rolling motion for Full Extension and Over Travel Slides. As the drawer closes or opens, rather than each sliding element bumping against and catching the next, all the sliding parts move at the same time.
- Locking and Detent – Detents and locking are frequent features that help prevent unintentional drawer motion, especially on slightly uneven surfaces. The Detent Out and Detent In slides give a tiny amount of resistance when opening and shutting. Positioning drawers slightly off level helps them remain open or closed. Locking is typically done outwardly, adding resistance. This is suitable for applications such as pull-out cutting boards as well as keyboard trays in which the slide must remain in the selection position even after the user walks away.
How do you know what size drawer slides you’ll require?
Measure the box, not the front of the drawer. Begin at the back of the box then measure to the front, except the drawer face. Rounding the number down when you’ve determined the length. If the drawer is 20 12 inches in length, for instance, you’ll need 20-inch drawer slides.
Conclusion
Now you know how to measure drawer slides. Drawer slides are vital house hardware found in any room. Damaged slides can impede drawer functionality, becoming a source of frustration. Replacing them is a simple, cost-effective DIY project if you know how to choose the right ones!