Measuring your drawer slides is the first step to a smooth installation. If you understand how and what to measure, you can make sure your drawers fit just right, open and close with ease and hold everything you need.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRECISE DRAWER SLIDE INSTALLATION
Accuracy is key when you install draw slides. You can enjoy these benefits by putting precision first:
Proper operation: The wrong installation can make the drawer harder to open and close. If you want your drawers to glide in and out with ease, make sure you take exact measurements.
Enhanced stability and support: Drawer slides help cabinet drawers hold the right amount of weight and avoid damage. A precise installation process helps ensure the drawers are not crooked and do not wobble when you pull them out.
Improved drawer longevity: Your drawers and drawer slides will last longer if they are installed well. They will likely wear out faster or need to be replaced sooner otherwise.
Pleasing appearance: The right installation will make your drawers look their best and work better.
Careful measurements and a few best practices will make all the difference for your cabinet functionality.
TOOLS YOU NEED TO MEASURE DRAWER SLIDES ACCURATELY
Measuring drawer slides starts with using the correct tools to ensure accuracy. These usually fall into two categories.
1. ESSENTIAL MEASURING TOOLS
Let's take a look at the key tools for achieving high-precision measurements and why they're important:
Tape measure:The most important tool to use for measuring your drawer slides is agreattape measure.It should havecentimeters and inches to ensure you know both measurements when it's time to buy your slides.
Notepad and pen:After you've taken the measurements, you'll need to remember them. Even if you have the best memory, it's probably best to keep a notepad and pen nearby. Then,you canwrite downthesenumbersfor the people you work with togetyour new drawer slides.
Screwdriver:In some cases, you may need to remove the drawer to take accurate measurements. A screwdriver is the best tool to help you remove the screws attaching your drawer slider to the drawer.
2. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Working with hard and sharp items does pose certain risks. To protect yourself, use the following safety equipment to prevent any injuries from occurring:
Safety gloves: Thick gloves can help protect your hands. They are key when working with screwdrivers, sharp screws and potentially splintered wood and sharp edges of your drawer.
Eye protection:When using the screwdriver on the drawer box, it's easy for bits of wood to fly out in the most unexpected ways and harm you. Keep your eyes safe with glasses or safety goggles to avoid eye injuries.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO MEASURING DRAWER SLIDES FOR CABINETS
You can measure your drawer slides in five easy steps. These instructions and tips can help you enjoy a smoother installation, a snug fit and effective drawer movement for a longer time. Learn how to measure drawer slides and find the right type below.
1. IDENTIFYING THE TYPE OF DRAWER SLIDE
Begin by finding out the type of drawer slide you need. Different drawer slides have varying sizes and capabilities. Their mostimportant partis the mount.
Here are the most common slide types to help youpickthebest option:
Side-mount drawer slides:This type of slide mounts on the side of the drawer. It is one of the most common types on the market. The side mount needs plenty of space between the cabinet wall and the drawer side.
Center-mount drawer slides:These slides connectto the center of the drawer bottom.They can be tricky to replace and need precise installation. The right measurements will help ensure the drawer slides havesupport and stability.
Undermount drawer slides:If you want a mount that is fully out of view, this one is a good option. It is located under the drawer to create a clean look. Operation is also very quiet. When using these drawer slides, you can leave about an inch between the wall and the back of the slide.
Bottom-mount drawer slides:Like undermounts, these drawer slides are located beneath the drawer. They offer very little clearance and are best for medium- or light-duty uses.
Stillnot sure? If you're a beginner at measuring and installing drawer slides, the side-mount is among the easiest to measure. The undermount is an excellent choice for quiet movement if youperformaccurate measurements. Plus,it offers an attractive modern appearance.
2. MEASURING THE DRAWER LENGTH
After you know the type of drawer slides you need,a few steps can help you accurately measurethe drawer slides.This starts withchecking the size of thedrawer itselfrather than the slides. Here's our step-by-step process for doing so:
UNSCREW THE CURRENT SLIDES FROM THE DRAWER
For drawer slide replacements, the first step is taking out your existing slides. Pull out your drawer and identify where the screws are connecting the slides to the drawer.
Removing a draw near the bottom may be best. You'll also find that most slides will have screws located near each end. You may find thatsomeslides have screws in the middle of the hardware, too. Using your screwdriver, carefully remove the located screws one at a time.
REMOVE THE DRAWER FROM THE CABINET
Once you've removed the screws, pull out the drawer completely to separate it from the cabinet. Depending on the type of drawer you have, removing the drawer will take varying amounts of effort. Commonly, you'll need to fully extend the drawer and lift it up to pull it out completely.
In other cases, you might need to remove it. Slowly pull the drawer out. When it is nearly all the way out, lift the back to help the wheelspop out of the guide.The drawer may release from the guides if you use a screwdriver to remove the wheelsthemselves.
MEASURE THE BOX
Now, you can begin the measuring process. Place your drawer on a flat surface. Use your tape measure tofindthe length of the box itself. Don't measure the drawer's entire length. You want to measure the inside of the box from front to back.
Keep in mind that the drawer's front face is there to stop the drawer from entering the cabinet. Including this measurement may be unnecessary. The drawer slide will only connect with the part that enters the cabinet. Write down these numbers on a piece of paper to remember for later.
3. MEASURING THE CABINET DEPTH
Measure the cabinet's depth to find the length that your drawer slide brackets need to be.You may run into issues with the drawer slide if itis longer than the cabinet depth. It is best to useshorter slide hardware.
Begin with your tape measure atthe back of the cabinet's inside. Put out the body to reach the cabinet's front frame to measure the distance. Round this number down to the next inch,and then record these amounts in your notepad.
Remember that the side and bottom mountsare usually 22"in a standard kitchen.Theundermounts are generally 21"in a kitchen cabinet.
4. MEASURING THE DRAWER'S WIDTH AND THE OPENING OF THE CABINET
Next, you'll need to measure the drawer's width and the opening in the cabinet.If you wantto install side-mount drawer slides, this is an important step. It will help you find the right thickness for the drawer slides.Write down both widths. Then, determine the difference tofind the space between your drawer and the cabinet.
You may need carpentry work for the best fit if they measure more or less than an inch. However,working with a great company that offers high-quality cabinet components can make this process easy. You may be able to get a custom, handcrafted drawer box that matchesthe exact size you need for the drawer slide to fit.
5. EXAMINING THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRAWER AND THE INSIDE OF THE CABINET
For projects to replace existing drawer slides, you need to check your cabinet and drawer to make sure there are no problems.Drawer slides can wear faster due to poor design or improper installation. Adding another pair of slide hardware over this may only repeat this cycle. If there is damage to the cabinet or drawer, you may benefit from replacing these components to help ensure your slides last.
HOW TO MEASURE DRAWER SLIDES FOR CUSTOM CABINET COMPONENTS
Do you have unique cabinet parts? Are you planning to create custom cabinet components?Calculating the right measurements for your drawer slides can be tricky. This is especially true if you havecustom-sized drawers or cabinets made.Ensure you're measuring for drawer slides correctly with the tips below.
UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIFICATIONS OF CUSTOM CABINET COMPONENTS
Having custom cabinet components made makes itimportant tohave the rightmeasurements.Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More has everything you need to enhance your project. Whether you need a new cabinet, drawer box or drawer front, we can help. We make it easy to complete your customized cabinets.
In addition to your new components,you'll need a quality pair of drawer slides.Choose options that offermaximum longevity and durability. Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More providesundermount door glides for smooth movement. These slides are concealed to place the focus on your custom cabinet depth instead.
To ensure that you get the correct measurements for your slides, follow these steps:
Find your cabinet size: When choosing the size for your custom cabinets,you need to have enough space to fit both the drawer and the slides. This space could be on the sides or bottom.
Discover your custom drawer box dimensions: Keep the cabinet size you choose in mind to find the size drawer needed. The cabinet's depth will be longer than the drawer's depth. The space is necessary for the brackets and mechanical parts.
Measure for the slides: You'll measure for the slides based on your cabinet and drawer size. You'll look at several measurements. These include the drawer's length and width and the cabinet's depth and width.
Pick the right undermount slide: When choosing your custom cabinet's undermount slide, there are a few factors to keep in mind. The drawer box length should be equal to the drawer glide length. Blum recommendschoosing slidesthat are3"inchesshorterthan the custom depth of your cabinet.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN MEASURING DRAWER SLIDES
Even pros can make mistakes when measuring drawer slides. To ensure you do not install the wrong options, explore some of the common errors to avoid. These can help you enjoy a headache-free process.
NOT MEASURINGBOTH SIDES OF THE DRAWER
Measure the width and depth on both ends of your drawer and cabinet.This is key to choosing the correct size of drawer slides. Do not assume drawers and cabinets are equal on all sides. You might end up with the wrong measurements, especially if you have custom cabinets.
Take thorough measurements of the components. Ensure they are in the correct position.
FORGETTING TOLEAVE SPACEFOR THE SLIDE CLEARANCE
Slide clearance is the space between the cabinet's inside and the drawer's exterior. A step that some forget to follow is measuring the drawer's width and the cabinet's interior width.These measurements arekey todetermining the size of the drawer slide you shoulduse. Without it, you may end up with too little space for the drawer slides.
This is very important to remember when measuring and installing soft close drawer slides. Theseneed morespace to move correctly. When you forget toleave roomfor the slide clearance, the slide or drawer may be unequal or misaligned. This can cause it toscrape against the cabinet wall, leading tofasterwear.
To clear up this issue,thoseinstalling the drawer may have to reduce the drawer size so there is enough space for the slides. You can avoid thisproblemby remembering to include your width measurements forcorrectinstalls.
MEASURING ONLY ONCE
When you measure different cabinet and drawer parts for your drawer slides, mistakes can happen. And those mistakes will impact how your drawers look and work. Even minor errors can make your drawers hard to use.
The best way to stay on track is to measure all components at least twice. You may be able to catch mistakes early and enjoy an installation that is done correctly the first time.
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR DRAWER SLIDES IN GREAT CONDITION
Check out these helpful tips for keeping your drawer slides in top condition after the installation process is complete.
KEEP YOUR DRAWER SLIDES CLEAN
Dust and dirt can make their way to your drawer slides. Buildup can cause more wear, and your slides may not glide as well. To avoid this issue, vacuum or wipe down these parts with a soft rag here and there.
Some drawer slides will benefit from light lubrication. Check with the manufacturer's guidelines and use only approved types.
REPLACE BROKEN AND WORN PARTS
You may need to replace your drawer slides if they are not working correctly, making strange noises or sticking when you try to open or close them. Take a closer look at the slide and all its parts. If you see any damage, like a missing screw or crooked track, it may be time to upgrade.
Don't wait if you notice problems. This can make your cabinet issues worse. Instead, switch out your slides as soon as possible.
PLACING YOUR ORDER FOR CUSTOM COMPONENTS WITH CABINET DOORS ‘N’ MORE
Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More offers a wide range of quality custom cabinet components. Our products supportsmooth opening and closing while preventing damaging movements. We offer a streamlined ordering process that consists of either calling or placing an order online.
All you have to do is shareyour measurements. Once our experts receive the order, we will verify and place the order with ourfactories. We'llship yourhandcraftedcabinet componentsrightto you within 10 business days.
