Which is better side mount or undermount drawer slides?

The dirtier side mounts get, the less efficient and sanitary they are. Side mount drawer slides. Image via Amazon. Undermounts, however, are far less susceptible to this dust accumulation, resulting in more durable hardware and a more sanitary environment.

Can side mount drawer slides be used as undermount?

Additionally, side mounts are built to carry a limited load, and if it is used as an undermount, there is a huge possibility that it might bend and malfunction. So for these professionals, the answer to the question “Can you use side mount drawer slides as undermount” will always be no.

What is the difference between bottom mount and undermount drawer slides?

Bottom mounts are attached to the bottom of the drawer and side of the cabinet. Meanwhile, undermounts are two slides attached to the underneath (invisible) of the drawer and side of the cabinet. And lastly a center mount is single slide found on the bottom of the drawer (not visible)

How do I choose replacement drawer slides?

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.

How do I choose an undermount drawer slide?

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.

Undermount vs Side Mount Soft Close Rails

What are the different types of drawer slides?

Can you put drawer slides on the bottom?

The most common types of drawer slides are bottom-mount or side-mount. For side- mounted slides, I typically use these full extension ball bearing ones from Liberty Hardware. However, depending on the application, I also use these bottom-mount slides from Amazon quite a bit.

Should drawer slides be in middle of drawer?

A deep loaded drawer is more stable from the side to side movement with the slides set in the middle of the drawers. As tom Moores says, there is really no set reccommended location of the slides.

How much clearance does a side mount drawer slide need?

Required clearance is typically around a ½” between the drawer slides and the sides of the cabinet opening and generally the only downside to a side-mount drawer slide is that they will limit the horizontal width of your drawer.

Which drawer runners do I need?

Load Ratings and Roll Types

Always consider what each drawer will be storing. If you want to store heavier items, opt for metal drawer runners that have a suitable loading weight. Similarly, if the items are fragile, opt for soft close drawer runners to ensure items do not break.

What are undermount drawer slides?

Undermount drawer glides are pieces of hardware that are found beneath the box of the drawer. They allow the drawer to easily slide open and close. Undermount drawer glides hold more weight and provide more support than drawer glides that are located on the sides of the drawer box.

Can drawer slides be mounted horizontally?

While most slides are designed to be vertically mounted, some slides can be horizontally mounted beneath the unit, for example for linear slides such as the DA0116-RC and DA0115RC can be installed in this position.

Can drawer slides be longer than 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.

Can you replace drawer slides on old cabinets?

The easiest way to install new drawer slides is to replace the old hardware with full ball bearing hardware. Usually, it takes too much work to modify the existing drawer boxes. Instead, you'll want to order new drawer boxes.

How do you support the bottom of a drawer?

Push the drawer bottom into the groove and wipe off any excess glue. Cut a small block of solid wood or plywood to 3/8 inch thick X 2 inches wide X 4 inches long and glue it to the underside of the drawer bottom. Allow the glue to cure overnight.

What kind of slides do you use for dresser drawers?

Are soft close drawer slides reliable?

Blum Tandem Drawer Slides

These soft-close drawer slides have large, integrated dampers, allowing them to open and close quietly and smoothly. They're certified by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA), so you can trust you're getting a high-quality product.

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

The "self" element means that the hinge or slide has a built-in element that pulls the drawer or door closed, sometimes with a tap or bang. "Soft"-closing means just that it glides. The drawer or door is pushed and it glides to a certain point and then hydraulics take over.