The Different Types Of Drawer Runners And How To Choose The One For Your Project

Home renovation projects can be a daunting task, often requiring costly investments and extensive planning before you can even pick up a tool. When installing a new set of drawers, it is important to properly plan out the type of runner that you're going to use, as they require accurate measurements for a proper installation. There are four primary styles of drawer runners: ball bearing, bottom fix, soft close, and push-to-open, each offering advantages in functionality and ease. Push-to-open drawer runners stand out as a prime pick for modern spaces, as they don't require hardware to open or close. For a more classic approach, ball-bearing options might be a better fit for your space as they can support greater weight capacities with their traditional design.

The other two types of drawer runner are also accompanied by their own practical applications. Soft close, as the name suggests, limits the amount of noise produced by opening and closing your drawers. Regardless of the force applied to the drawer, it is designed to always close without making a loud sound. These can be an ideal pick for an active kitchen, especially for those with children who tend to slam drawers. The final drawer runner style is the bottom fix or a roller slide, which is ideal for bedroom and living room furniture. These slides are often more lightweight, meaning they don't require as much internal hardware to set up. When choosing the right slide style, you want to consider their function around your space, whether you're repurposing an old nightstand around your home or installing an entirely new set of kitchen cabinets.

Selecting the right runner for your drawer goes well beyond simply choosing the right type, as several factors influence the functionality and longevity of your drawers. Weight capacity is one of the major considerations to make when buying and installing drawer runners. Most slides are given a weight rating, a number that indicates the pounds that each drawer runner can support throughout its intended lifespan. Standard mounts can typically carry around 75 pounds, but for heavy-duty storage jobs like tools, you might want to look for something with a 150-pound rating. Knowing the needs of your newly installed system and the weight capacity of each runner can help optimize your storage and further protect your storage system regardless of the space.

It is also important to consider the extension type you are employing prior to installation. There are three main types of drawer extensions, each determining the length at which your drawer will pull out, ranging between full extension, three-quarter extension, and over-extension slides. Each one comes with its own set of practical advantages. For example, full-extension runners can be perfect for kitchens and workshop storage, allowing you to see the contents of each drawer in full. Three-quarter extension runners may be useful for smaller spaces that are easily cramped by the full length of a drawer. Finally, over-extension runners are particularly useful for specialty applications, as they extend beyond the edge of your cabinet system. These runners provide the type of drawers that make use of lower cabinet space, where it might be hard to reach into the back.

Three primary mounting styles are available for drawer runners: side-mount, under-mount, and center-mount. The right choice for your project depends on the amount of clearance space available within your cabinets. Side-mounted drawer runners are positioned parallel to your drawer, often requiring at least a half-inch clearance on either side of the drawer. This might make installation tough for smaller spaces that don't have a lot of room to spare within the cabinets. Instead, you might want to opt for the mounting options that make use of the space underneath each drawer.

Under-mounted runners, as the name suggests, are attached to the bottom of your drawers and are completely concealed from view when the drawer is fully extended. They offer a bit more storage area inside the drawer, as they don't require the additional side space for installation. However, specific installation requirements determine if an under-mounted runner can work on your drawers, including side thickness, drawer dimensions, and notching at the back.

If neither of those mounting styles is quite right for your drawers, you might be looking for a center-mounted installation instead. Although typically used on older drawers, these runners can work well in spaces where other installation isn't possible. They run on a single track that is mounted underneath the drawer — specifically down the center. Depending on the thickness of the mount itself, you will need to ensure that you have enough vertical clearance before installing. While there are plenty of helpful tips for installing cabinet drawer slides, determining the right type of runner for your space is the first step to ensuring the installation process goes smoothly.