What Size Drawer Slides to Buy
Even experienced woodworkers will sometimes pause and ask what size drawer slides do I need?While that might seem odd, drawer slides are a confusing piece of cabinet hardware as they have various mounts (side, bottom, under, top and center) and lengths vary by the type of slide.
Which makes choosing drawer slides a challenge.
In this article learn how drawer depth, cabinet construction, mounting location and weight capacity will all factor into your drawer slide length requirements.
The general rule of drawer size measurements is to measure the depth of the cabinet, then subtract 1/2-inch and round down to the next even number. So, for a face frame cabinet that is 23″ deep, subtract 1/2″ and then round to 22″ (and use rear mount brackets).
New Construction Drawer Sizes
Perhaps your project hasn't taken shape and you are looking to order your drawer slides so they are ready when you are.
In this case, the task might be a bit more difficult as you may not have assembled the cabinet or furniture box. But you should, at least, know the depth of the final assembled box.
Standard Drawer Slide Sizes for Kitchen Cabinets
Most kitchen drawer slides are 21 to 22-inchdes in length
First, almost all kitchens are made with 24″ final depth cabinets to support standard sized countertops.
Which makes lengths of drawer slides for kitchens easy (and side clearance too).
By slide type, the following is the rule of thumb:
- Side and bottom mount drawer slides are almost always 22″ and have a 1/2″ side clearance. Have a face frame cabinet? You'll need rear mount brackets too.
- Undermount drawer slides are 21″ and have a custom drawer width
Drawer Slide Lengths for Bathroom Vanities
Most vanities have 16 or 18-inch drawer slides.
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.
Why the variation? Well, it depends on the overhang and style of vanity top. While some cabinets push to 20″ deep (and thus support an 18″ slide), others prefer more overhang and require a 16″ slide for the best depth.
The best way to decide? Work backwards from the depth of your vanity top. While most homeowners prefer at least 1-inch of counter overhang, 3/4-inches for the drawer front and have 1/4 to 3/4″ in the back (up to 2-1/2 inches) you'll be fine at 18-inches for a frameless cabinet and tight for a face frame cabinet.
Furniture Drawer Slide Lengths
So by now you've probably got the picture on choosing a slide length for new construction. For furniture projects follow the same rule of thumb:
- Face frame designs subtract 1″ from depth of the finished cabinet and round down to nearest even length
- Frameless designs can be measured tighter, but its best to lay out and if in doubt go a little shorter than longer.
Soft Closing vs. Self Closing Drawer Slides
As you are realizing drawer slide lingo is a bit confusing.
And one of the more confusing points is the difference between soft and self closing:
- Self closing simply means the drawer will use gravity to pull the drawer shut. But it WILL NOT prevent the drawer from slamming.
- Soft closing drawer slides will both hold a drawer shut AND use a damper technology to prevent the drawer from slamming.
All of which has led most new kitchens and projects to use soft closing slides. Because nobody likes to hear slamming cabinet drawers.
And, when it comes to deciding the size of drawer slides there is rarely any difference in the lengths.
Measuring Drawer Slides for Existing Drawers
One way of quickly updating your drawers is to replace the drawer slides with improved performing slides.
But, that may mean switching from a center-mount slide to a side mount drawer slide. Which, as you might know, creates a new measuring question: what size drawer slide do I need for a retrofit?
Side Mount Drawer Side Lengths and Extensions
If this is your first exposure to drawer slide mechanics a good place to start is with a side mount drawer slide.
Not only are these slides strong, they are also top performing slides when properly installed:
- Easy to mount
- Ball bearings for smooth action and high weight loads
- Standard 1/2-inch side clearance
- Full extension features allow access to the back of the drawer
Lastly, side mount slides are available in 2″ increments from 10″ up to 72″ and make them a great fit for any cabinet or furniture.
Bottom Mount (Epoxy) Drawer Slides
While a true count would be hard to obtain, there are likely billions of bottom mount drawer slides powering cabinets and furniture. And, this is because these slides are inexpensive and have (generally) good performance.
When it comes to picking sizes, though, you'll be looking at slides between 12-22″ in length. Why so short? Well, their design is centered on narrow tracks for epoxy wheels and doesn't stay rigid over longer lengths.
Undermount Drawer Slide Sizes
Of all the types of drawer slides, there is none more finicky than the TOP performing undermount drawer slides.
Why? Well, consider:
- Undermounts require a custom side clearance to support the thickness of the drawer side
- Most undermount slides are grooved into the drawer bottom
- And, for face frame cabinets, require a rear mounting bracket
So, if your goal is replacing undermount drawer slides you'll want to replace them "like for like" with the same part number and length. Unfortunately, upgrading a side mount drawer to undermount is rarely possible.
The good news? Most undermounts come in limited lengths of 12″, 15″, 18″ and 21″. Which should make measuring relatively easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 0.75 inches and undermount slides a custom amount less than 1/2″.
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 the drawer to the rear of the drawer will be lost for accessibility.
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 frameless cabinets as you need to have at least 1″ of space for the drawer front and rear of the cabinet.
Summary
As you make a final decision on the size of your drawer slides be sure to consider using soft close drawer slides (not self close), drawer slide jigs and the right cabinet screws for your project.
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Last update on 2022-07-03 at 05:23 / Images from Amazon
Source: https://thehomewoodworker.com/what-size-drawer-slides/
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