QA

How To Measure For Soft Close Drawer Slides

How do I know what size drawer slides I need?

Measure the box, not the drawer front 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.

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 with soft close?

Self-closing epoxy drawer slides are economical, easy to install and versatile. The easy way to update your drawers to make them soft closing is to install Rockler soft-close adapters to your existing epoxy-coated slides, and you don’t have to replace the slides.

How do you measure drawer size?

Drawers can be built almost any width for bottom mount, but the most common size is 3/4-inch smaller on both sides than the cabinet opening. For example, if the opening is 12 inches wide, the drawer should be built 10 1/2 inches wide.

What is the standard size of drawers?

Depth: Standard depths are 14-inches, 16-inches and 20-inches. Height: The height of the drawer refers to the height of the drawer face. The actual height of the box is usually less. Standard heights are 5-inches, 7.5-inches, 10-inches and 12-inches.

What size drawer slides for a 21 cabinet?

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.

Do drawer slides need to be same length as 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.

How much clearance do you need for drawer slides?

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.

Do soft close drawers add value?

Soft-close cabinets might not get you the return on investment you’re hoping for. You also won’t gain much of a return investment by installing them. Most homebuyers pay attention to what they can see as they look around the room and will be more interested in the aesthetics of the cabinetry you have.

Can you install soft close to existing cabinets?

It is possible to convert a cabinet with a soft close to stop the loud noises associated with opening and shutting your cabinets. You can often purchase a small adapter and install it within minutes to fix the problem, but you must know which model to purchase and how to install it.

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 is eased to the closed position, gently and quietly.

How is drawer depth measured?

Begin by measuring along the bottom floor of the drawer at the back edge, middle, and front edge. Check for variations across the height of the drawer as well. Take the smallest of these measurements. Repeat this step for the depth measurement on the left edge, middle, and right edge across the floor and the height.

How wide can drawers be?

A well-planned kitchen includes ample drawer space. Standard non-custom kitchen cabinetry generally offers drawer widths from 12 inches to 24 inches, increasing by 3-inch increments. If the standard drawers available don’t fit into your kitchen design, you can order custom drawers from a cabinetmaker.

How do you find the area of a drawer?

Measure the height and width of the drawer opening and add 1-1/2 inches to get the face size of the drawer. For example, if the drawer opening measures 18-by-22 inches, you will need to cut one piece 3/4-by-19 1/2-by-23 1/2 inches.

How wide should cabinet drawers be?

The rule of thumb is 1.5 times the length of the drawer slide. If you have a standard depth kitchen cabinet then the normal length of drawer slide is 22”. If you multiply 22” x 1.5 = 33”. You can go wider, but the wider you go the more chance that the slide will not pull out as smoothly as you hope or expect.

What lengths do drawer slides come in?

Slides come in lengths from 10″ to 28″. A too-short slide prevents the drawer from opening fully, and one that’s too long won’t fit in the cabinet.