Each drawer slide type has a different installation procedure with advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, it is essential to understand the process based on your application. Since there are several other drawer slides you can choose from, here are the top-tier types you should consider:
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Common Types of Drawer Slides
- Roller slides
- Under-mount drawer slides
- Center mount drawer slides
- Ball-bearing drawer slides
- Soft close ball bearing slides
Roller Slides
Roller slides, commonly known as rolling drawers, comprise the cabinet and drawer members with plastic rollers. The cabinet member stands on the cabinet while the drawer member fastens the drawer. Each roller fits on the other member’s groove and settles on the opposite side of the mechanism when installed. When the mechanism expands, the roller on the cabinet member gives way for the drawer member to open. Then, the drawer member’s roller moves in the same direction as the cabinet member. When fully opened, both rollers meet.
Roller slides are best used in household furniture, such as desk drawers and others that carry lightweight items. They also function best when configured with bottom drawer slides. You can only use their design on horizontal configuration. Additionally, roller slides can only function when fixed on a drawer’s side because of their design.
Soft Close Ball-Bearing Drawer Slides
Ball-bearing slides use ball bearings instead of rollers. They comprise the drawer member, cabinet member, and intermediate member. They function like roller slides in that the cabinet member sits on the cabinet, and the drawer member mounts on the drawer. The intermediate member intersects with the two ball bearings; the first one with the cabinet member’s grooves and the second one with the drawer member’s track.
The drawer member moves first by sliding over the ball bearings when opening the drawer. When the drawer member gets to the end of the ball bearings, the intermediate member slides on the ball bearings until full extension. Ball bearings can be used on different household furniture and industrial machinery. Ball-bearing drawers are durable and can support heavier loads than plastic roller slides. They are great for vertical and horizontal configurations and can be installed at different angles.
Also, some ball-bearing slides can be fixed on the bottom or top of drawers, but it is essential to confirm the manufacturer’s specifications before ensuring you do the right thing. If you have heavier or harsher machinery or furniture that needs slides, you should go for the heavy-duty versions. You can consult an expert to guide you on whether you should pick the heavy-duty or regular drawer slides.
Other Drawer Slide Types
- Side mount drawer slides
- Under-mount drawer slides
- Center mount drawer slides
The above three types of drawer slides are similar, but their only difference is which part of the cabinet they are mounted.
How To Select the Right Drawer Slides
While fixing your cabinets may seem challenging, having the proper equipment and knowledge can teach you how to install drawer slides. The critical component of your cabinet drawers will be the long drawer slide you install. That is because they will enable your cabinet drawers to function correctly.
It may be difficult to pull out the drawers if they get damaged. That’s why choosing the right drawer slides is vital at the start. The other consideration when picking drawer slides is the weight of whatever you will store in the drawers. If you fail to pick drawer slides for the weight capacity of your load, the slides will not handle whatever you store, which may cause more problems.
The Bottom Line
A drawer slide is a component installed in industrial and household furniture to allow it to move in and out. Since there are several types of drawer slides in the market, it is essential to understand their differences before choosing some for your project. The above information will guide you in picking the best ones for your load. Since there are several drawer slides for different furniture parts, it is essential to know the right ones for your project.