Knowledge Builders

what size drawer slides should i use

by Chaim Treutel MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Measure the box, not the drawer front
Start at the back of the box and measure to the front of the box without including the face of the drawer. Once you have the length, round the number down. For example, if the drawer is 20 ½ inches long you will need to purchase 20 inch drawer slides.
Oct 10, 2017

Full Answer

How to know what drawer slide length you require?

  • Measure the HEIGHT, WIDTH, and DEPTH of the opening for the drawer.
  • Subtract at least 1/2″ from the HEIGHT to allow clearance above and below the drawer.
  • Subtract 1″ from the WIDTH to allow space for the drawer slides. ...
  • Using your depth measurement, find the longest drawer slide that will fit inside. ...

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How much space do you need for drawer slides?

Maintain the 1/2″ (13 mm) narrow space on both of the sides of the slide, 1/4″ (7 mm) space for the bottom of the drawer box, 5/8″ (16 mm) space for the top of the drawer box. To be more exact you need to build the drawer 10 1/2 inches in width in case the opening of the drawer box is 12 inches in size.

How to measure for cabinet drawer slides?

  • Measuring using the cabinet opening using undermount glides:
  • Opening Width - Deduct 3/8" total from opening width (3/16" from each side).
  • Opening Height - Deduct 3/4" total from the opening height then round down to the closest 1/2" (As we sell drawer boxes in 1/2" heights only).

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How to choose the drawer slides?

• For under-mount slides, measure the drawer length. Slides must be the same length as drawer to work properly. Mount Decide whether you want side-mount, center-mount or undermount slides. The amount of space between your drawer box and the cabi-net opening will affect your decision. • Side-mount slides are sold in pairs or sets, with a slide

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Should drawer slides be as long as the drawer?

You should always use the longest slide possible for your application, without exceeding the drawer depth into the cabinet. The Height of a Drawer Slide is usually only a limiting factor, in the sense that you can't install a slide that is taller than your drawer or pull-out.

What size drawer slides for a 21 cabinet?

Similar to a kitchen cabinet, and with the standard vanity top depth at 21-inches, you'll find the finished depth of vanities mostly support a 16 or 18-inch drawer slide.

How do I choose and install drawer slides?

7:0411:45Drawer Slides EXPLAINED – How to choose the right drawer slideYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHere I only show you now the the bottom of the drawer. Basically or you want to the side of theMoreHere I only show you now the the bottom of the drawer. Basically or you want to the side of the drawer. So this would sit underneath and to the side of the drawer cabinets.

What size drawer slides for a 24 cabinet?

22”Because a 24” deep cabinet will have an interior depth that's slightly less than that dimension, your drawer slides need to be smaller, too. KV's installation instructions show that the next size down from 24” is 22”, so that's your slide length and drawer depth.

How far does a 24 inch drawer slide extend?

DimensionsMaximum Expandable Length (in.)241.77 inProduct Width (in.)0.50 in24 in

What are the best drawer slides for kitchen cabinets?

Read on to learn more about how to choose the best drawer slides for your next kitchen or bath DIY project.BEST OVERALL: LONTAN 20 Inch Drawer Slides Metal Drawer Slides.BEST BUDGET: Accuride 1029 Center Mount Slide.BEST SIDE MOUNT: PROMARK Full Extension Side Mount Drawer Slides.More items...•

What is the difference between soft close and self close drawer slides?

A self-close slide uses a spring mechanism to close a drawer, pulling it shut quickly once the spring is engaged. Easy-close slides meanwhile, have a damper mechanism in addition to a spring, pulling the drawer shut gently and quietly.

What are the different types of drawer slides?

There are 6 types of Drawer slides:Ball Bearing Drawer Slides.Soft close Ball Bearing Drawer Slides.Under mount Drawer Slides.Side Mount Drawer Slides.Center Mount Drawer slides.Roller Slides.

How do you measure a drawer glide?

0:582:39Drawer Slide Tutorial: Weight Rating, Length, and Finish Options - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFront for undermount slides you need to measure the drawer length. This is really important theMoreFront for undermount slides you need to measure the drawer length. This is really important the slide must be the same length as a drawer to work properly.

How do you measure for drawer runners?

How Do You Measure Drawer Runners? Drawer runners are measured by the longest dimension of the fully closed side, and so should snuggly fit the inside the length of the drawer. Normally, you will be able to remove your previous drawer runners (assuming they are not warped or bent) and get the measurement from these.

How do you measure for drawer pulls?

0:512:50how to measure rollout shelves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we want to do is actually measure from the protrusion of the hinge which is this piece right hereMoreSo we want to do is actually measure from the protrusion of the hinge which is this piece right here to the other edge over here and that's gonna be what our clearance width is in this case okay.

How do you measure for cabinet drawers?

Measure the cabinet opening height (inside frame to frame) and subtract at least 1/2” from the opening height. If your cabinet opening measurement comes to 3 3/4" then you need to round down to a 3 1/2" drawer box. For depth, we recommend subtracting 1" from the length of the side-mounted drawer glides.

How much space does a drawer slide need on the side?

Most drawers are built to support a 1/2" of clearance on each side of the drawer. However, heavy duty drawer slides will often take from 0.7 to 0.7...

Can drawer slides be shorter than the drawer?

Yes, a drawer slide can be shorter than the drawer. However, the drawer will not fully open and the distance from the back of the slide mounted on...

What size drawer slides are used for a 24-inch deep cabinet?

For face frame cabinets the standard drawer slide length is 22" to allow for use of a rear mounting bracket. The same is generally true for framele...

How to measure drawers for a cabinet?

Start at the back of the box and measure to the front of the box without including the face of the drawer. Once you have the length, round the number down. For example, if the drawer is 20 ½ inches long you will need to purchase 20 inch drawer slides. 3. Measure the width of the drawer and the width of the opening in the cabinet.

Why are my drawer slides worn?

Premature wear on the drawer slides may have been caused by improper installation or because of a poor design. Smaller slides may have been used to avoid rubbing an interior part of the cabinet.

How to remove drawers from guides?

Most drawers will require that you fully extend the drawer, then lift up and it will come right out. If that doesn’t work, guide the drawer so it is mostly extended, then lift the back of the drawer to pop the wheels out of the guides. If neither of those options work, it may be necessary to use a screwdriver to remove the wheels from the guides.

Can you replace drawer slides as a set?

Bonus Tip: Always replace drawer slides as a set. Replacing only one side of the drawer slides can cause the drawer to become unstable.

Guide Rail Length

The guide rail length, also called stroke length, is how far the drawer slide will extend from fully retracted to fully extended. Guide rail length is the specification you will used to determine whether or not your drawer slides provide you with the extension you need for your project.

Determining Extension Needed

Now that you know what to look for, how do you know what you need? Well this can be pretty straight forward for most applications, it is just simply how far you need to extend. Although if you are reading this, you’re probably looking for an answer to “How far of an extension do I need?” and that will depend based on your design and application.

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How many inches should a drawer slide be?

Choose the Glides. If you have the proper clearance and no obstructions in the box, then choose the glide based on your numbers. If your drawer box measures 15 inches, you can get a 15-inch slide. If the measurements are slightly off—in other words, if there is no full extension drawer slide in your drawer’s size—then purchase ...

How wide should a drawer be for extension slides?

If the difference is a little more or a little less than 1/8 of an inch, you'll need to adjust the cabinet or dresser.

How to measure for side glides?

If you are moving from wood glides or a bottom glide to full extension drawer glides, you’ll need to measure and see if there is enough clearance to handle the side mount glides. You need half an inch on each side of the drawer box in order to mount the glides. So you should measure the width of the box from outer edge to outer edge, then the interior of the cabinet and be sure you have the needed inch of clearance.

Why is it important to measure drawer slides?

The Importance of Measuring Accurately. If you have high-quality full extension drawer slides that are properly fitted and measured, you will get years of life from them. They will extend the life of your cabinetry as well. However, if you get poorly fitted slides, they will warp the cabinets as well as jamming the slides themselves.

How wide is a full extension drawer slide?

Proper measuring is just as important as quality. Full extension drawer slides come in measurements from 8 inches to 28 inches and in widths of 250 mm to 600 mm, so you will find the right slide for your drawer with a little persistence.

How to measure drawers?

Measure the drawer carefully and accurately from the front of the drawer box to the back. Do not include the false front in your measurement. If you haven’t worked much with drawers and glides, you may not realize the drawers are made separately from the false fronts. You can replace and exchange just about any front onto a drawer box.

Can you replace a drawer glide with a full extension?

If you are replacing other glides with a full extension drawer glide, then you may find some problems. Remember that full extension drawer glides are side-mounted, so if you had a bottom mount glide previously, it will not have the same fit.

What are the different types of drawer slides?

Metal drawer slides are offered in three basic types: side-mount, undermount and center-mount. The amount of space between your drawer box and the cabinet opening will affect your decision. If you are replacing existing slides, you should stick with the type you have, since the drawer is built for specific clearances meant for that type of slide. If you are building new, you have the freedom to choose according to your needs. Read on to learn about the three different mounting methods.

What is a center mount drawer slide?

Center-mount drawer slides are an older type of drawer slide that still sees use today , although they are more often sold as replacements for older cabinets. Like undermount slides, they are totally concealed, but instead of being mounted under both sides of the drawer, a single slide runs down the middle.

How long should a slide be for a cabinet?

Most slides are available in a range of lengths, usually in increments of about 2'' . It goes without saying that you'll want to minimize the amount of dead space at the back of the cabinet by selecting a slide that is as long as possible, but make sure the slide has plenty of room in the cabinet for proper operation. Take into consideration any obstacles inside the cabinet, such as nailers or stretchers, as well as whether your drawers are full inset or overlay. Full inset drawers will reduce the maximum depth of the drawer. Typically, side-mount ball-bearing slides should be the same length as the drawer box. For undermount slides, be sure to check the spec sheet—drawer boxes for these slides must be built to specific depths (front to back) in order to work properly.

What is a side mount slide?

As their name alludes to, side-mount slides mount to the side of the drawer box. They are common on everything from utility cabinets and toolboxes to kitchen cabinets. Side-mount slides are available in ball-bearing versions and epoxy/Euro versions, which have a nylon roller that rides in a track. The ball-bearing types offer the benefits of smooth ball-bearing operation, high load capacities, and options for full-extension and over-travel. They also typically include a detent as standard, which keeps the drawer from creeping open if the cabinet is slightly out of plumb. The epoxy-coated versions offer self-closing action and an opening detent, which keeps the drawer open for easy access as you work. These slides require clearance – usually 1/2" – between the drawer slides and the sides of the cabinet opening.

What does self closing drawer mean?

Self-close means that the drawer will close itself when it reaches the final few inches of travel. In the hustle and bustle of cooking a meal, it's easy to leave drawers slightly open, or to close it too hard and have it bounce back. That's where a self-closing slide will step in and dutifully correct the error.

What extension is available for a slide?

What extensions are available depends on what mounting method or type of slide you select. Center-mount slides and epoxy slides are typically only offered in 3/4 extension. Side-mount ball-bearing slides are typically available in all three options: 3/4, full and over-travel.

How many slide sets are there in a pantry slide?

These Pantry Slides include three slide sets; two mount to the bottom and one on top for smooth-riding, over-travel, full access.

What is the clearance for side mount drawer slides?

Side mount drawer slides are almost always a ball bearing construction with a standard 1/2″ clearance on each side. But there are a few sizing considerations for these slides:

How much space is needed for side mount slides?

On the other hand side mount slides are easy to measure (usually 1/2″ on each side, or 1″ less than drawer opening).

How deep should a drawer bottom be?

The drawer bottom will require enough depth to fully hide the undermount slide. This is typically 1/2″ (or more).

How much clearance should I leave at the back of a drawer?

I prefer to leave a full inch of clearance at the back of a drawer. Due to mounting brackets and features like push-to-open a tight fitting drawer will cause more issues than the extra 1″ of space is worth.

How high is a slide?

And, as most side mount slides are 1.8″ in height, a slide with a 1.4″ side profile is sometimes desired. Push-to-open drawer slides will require a small clearance at the back of the slide for the “push” clearance.

How thick is a mounting block for face frame cabinets?

If you are building face frame cabinets remember to leave room for at least a 1/2″ thick mounting block in the back to attach the drawer slides mounting bracket.

What is side mount cabinet?

Side mounts are by far the most popular and as the name implies they mount on the side of the drawer. A side mount requires zero rear clearance on a frameless cabinet and ~1/4″ rear gap on a face frame to fit the rear mounting bracket. And most are 1/2″ side clearance (with the exception of heavy duty slides).

What is a drawer slide?

Drawer slides are placed on almost all drawers. The set includes two for each side of the drawer, and two for the cabinet. Nylon bearings slide into corresponding guides to provide the drawer with smooth, quiet movement. When your existing drawers are noisy, stick, bind or won't move at all, chances are that the bearings are worn out.

How to replace drawer slide?

Choose the right ones. Remove the drawer from the cabinet. Turn the drawer face down. Measure from the back of the drawer-front to the end of the drawer box. Only measure the box, do not include the drawer front.

How to measure drawer front?

Measure from the back of the drawer-front to the end of the drawer box. Only measure the box, do not include the drawer front. Round the measurement off to the lower number on the tape. For example, when the measurement is 22 1/2 inches, you need to purchase 22-inch drawer slides.

When replacing drawer slides, always replace them as a set?

When replacing drawer slides, always replace them as a set. Never attempt to replace only those parts that are defective. There can be exceptions to measuring drawer slides when installing replacements. When the drawer slide extends out past the end of the drawer box by more than 3/4-inch, measure the slide that's inside the cabinet instead of the one on the drawer.

So, how do you choose from all of the different options out there?

The following is an introduction to characteristic basics to slides, including several features that are offered and their benefits to many of the types of slides out there. If you first take into consideration what it is you are wanting from each category, it is going to help to streamline any further searching.

A tutorial on how to choose the correct drawer slide mount

You will first need to figure out whether you are wanting a side mount, center mount, or an under mount slides. Your decision will depend on the amount of space you have in between the drawer box and your cabinet opening.

Extension

First you will need to know how far out you want the drawer to come out when it is opened.

Motion

You will also need to decide if you are wanting the special motion features.

Nationwide Drawer Slide Supplier

If you have broken drawer slides, are starting a new cabinetry project, or are simply remodeling your kitchen or bathroom Drawer Connection has the best selection of drawer slides. We have soft close, push to open, self close, and many more quality options that keep your drawers opening and closing smoothly.

What size pulls should I use on oversized kitchen drawers or drawers that are 36 inches or wider?

For choosing pull sizes on oversized drawers you have three basic options.

Do Kitchen cabinet Drawers always get a pull?

Generally, yes. Drawers are easier to use when you use a pull handle to open them.

How to keep drawers clean?

1. Stay Consistent. If you have a variety of sizes of drawers in the same area, the best way to keep a clean look is by staying consistent with pull sizes. Even if your drawers have different heights, try to use the same length pull for all of them to keep the space from looking too cluttered. 2.

What is a long pull drawer?

Long drawer pulls tend to be heavier-duty, which not only makes them ideal for larger or heavier drawers but also gives off a more polished, high-class feel to your space.

What does "measure drawer pull" mean?

When measuring a drawer pull, this phrase refers to the thickness of the bar you grab on the pull. As you’re deciding on hardware, pay close attention to this distance as you want to ensure your hand comfortably fits in the space.

Can you measure drawer pulls?

It’s time to measure your drawers to determine the size of pulls you’ll need to buy. Luckily, you can easily choose from common pull sizes using the standard drawer pull measurements noted above. The only true exception to this rule is if you have pre-drilled drawers, in which case you’ll need to buy hardware that fits the existing measurements.

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Remove The Drawer from The Cabinet

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This is one time when you don’t want to estimate – accuracy is key. Removing the drawer may require some manipulating. Most drawers will require that you fully extend the drawer, then lift up and it will come right out. If that doesn’t work, guide the drawer so it is mostly extended, then lift the back of the drawer to pop the wh…
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Measure The Box, Not The Drawer Front

  • Since the front face of the drawer works to stop the drawer from entering the cabinet, it should not be measured. Start at the back of the box and measure to the front of the box without including the face of the drawer. Once you have the length, round the number down. For example, if the drawer is 20 ½ inches long you will need to purchase 20 inch drawer slides.
See more on arthurharris.com

Measure The Width of The Drawer and The Width of The Opening in The Cabinet

  • If the difference in the width of the drawer and the width of the opening is within 1/8 inch, you can use full-extension guides. If they measure less or more than 1/8 inch, you need to use bottom-mount guides or do a little carpentry work to make the drawer work with the new slides.
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Examine The Interior of The Cabinet and The Exterior of The Drawer

  • Premature wear on the drawer slides may have been caused by improper installation or because of a poor design. Smaller slides may have been used to avoid rubbing an interior part of the cabinet. If this is the case, you will need to use smaller slides as well to avoid the same issue.
See more on arthurharris.com

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