The Drawer Slide Mount Styles How is the glide going to be put on your drawer? There are three alternatives to consider.
Center Mount Slides with Drawer
The Center Mount is the first and most basic. Underneath the cabinet, a center mount is fixed. A single slide based around the bottom is a single slide. Since the slide is under the drawer, while the drawer is open, these sorts of mounts can not be seen. If you would like to highlight your wood cabinetry, this is fine. Also, they are also a more economical option. Center mounts, however, would usually have a lighter weight rating, which may not be the correct option for a drawer containing heavier objects.
Side Mount Slides Drawer
Side mounts may also be chosen. These slides for side mounting come in pairs, each mounted on the side of the cabinet. A clearance between the drawer and the cabinet opening (usually around 1/2 inch) would be needed for these. Side mounts can hold a heavier weight than center mounts, but when the drawer is open, they will be visible.
Weight Rating Drawer
How much weight it is supposed to bear is the first and most significant thing to remember when shopping for the best drawer slides. Each drawer slide has a particular weight ranking, i.e., how much weight it is meant to carry. Next, you should have a clear idea of what kind of material in this drawer you plan to keep. Is it going to be a cabinet of files? For light office equipment, is it? Or would this drawer be for a more commercial application that will need a great deal of help for weight?
Most slides for drawers are rated at 75, 100, or 150 pounds. Some ball-bearing slides, however, are able to stand up to a 500-pound load. It will help to filter your options and narrow down your choices to those that are most specific to your needs by understanding how heavy a load you need to carry.
Drawer Slides Under Mount
The third choice is to install it. There are also pairs of under-mount slides, but these connect to the underside of the cabinet. If you would like to handle a heavier load, these are a fine option, but don't want unsightly hardware on the sides of your cabinet. Under mounts are becoming a very common option in the industry, although they may also be a little more costly.
Drawer Slides extension
How much do you need to open a drawer? Three options are available for drawer extensions: 3/4 extension, complete extension and over travel.
The 3/4 extension drawer slides are probably familiar to you, as they are the standard choice for many office furniture items. When opened, the 3/4 extension portion of the drawer remains within the cabinet. This is an economical choice and comes in many types of mounting.
Features of a Cabinet Slide
There are also a number of special options for drawer slides that could be just the feature you need at your facility. Most slides are now available as soft-close, which gives the drawer a damping effect that closes without slamming. You can also choose self-closing slides which, without effort, pull the drawer in all the way.
Drawer Slides for Your Needs
Knowing the specifics will help you choose the right slide, whether you're installing drawers in a comfortable office or a busy production floor. To ensure the correct ranking, determine ahead of time what the drawer will be for. Think about who is going to use the drawer and what their criteria may be to pick the features that best suit your needs.