Drawer slides come in various lengths, load capacities, and mounting styles, making them versatile and suitable for various furniture projects. Choosing the right type of drawer slide for your project depends on factors such as the drawer size and weight, the desired level of smoothness and quietness, and your furniture piece's overall style and aesthetics.
There are several types of drawer slides available, including ball-bearing slides, undermount slides, and European slides, each with its unique features and benefits. Ball-bearing slides use ball bearings to create a smooth and quiet motion, while undermount slides are concealed beneath the drawer and provide a sleek and minimalist look. European slides are popular in modern furniture designs and are known for their ease of installation and adjustment.
The drawer boxes have specific requirements for side thickness, drawer dimensions, and often require notching at the back, so be sure to check the spec sheets if you are building drawers. Check out our Blumotion slides for a popular example.Drawer slides are available with three basic motion features: Self-Close, Soft-Close and Push-to-Open (sometimes called ''touch-release''). Some types of drawer slides include a given motion feature by default, while others offer it only as an option, as described below.
Undermount drawer slides offer two benefits that side-mount slides do not: they are totally concealed beneath the drawer, and, since they don't require as much space on the sides for clearance, they offer slightly more storage area inside the drawer. Keep in mind, though, that you will lose a bit of drawer height inside the drawer, since the slides require added clearance beneath the drawer. Undermount drawer slides also commonly sport premium features like soft-close, which has made them a top choice for high-end cabinetry.
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.