Tips For Choosing a Drawer Slides Supplier

The majority of drawer slides are metal and come in a variety of finishes including clear zinc, black or white. They are used in all kinds of industries including furniture and cabinetry, fire and rescue and commercial and residential applications.

While they may go largely unnoticed, the drawer slides are one of the most important hardware pieces in any piece of furniture. There are a lot of manufacturers out there so it's good to know what each has to offer.

1. Know your requirements

If you’re looking for Drawer Slides Supplier it’s important to know your requirements. Different drawer slides are designed for specific applications. They can range from light-duty slides for cabinets to heavy-duty slides used in industrial and commercial applications.

There are three types of Drawer Slides Suppliers: side mount, center mount, and under mount. The mount type you select will determine the location of your drawer slide. In most cases, the mount type has been dictated for you by the cabinet design.

Besides the mount type, you need to decide whether you want to release or non-releasing ball-bearing slides. There are several manufacturers who make drawer slides including Hettich, Blum, and Knape & Vogt. Each manufacturer has unique features that may not be available on other brands of drawer slides.

2. Have a clear picture of your project

If you are building new drawers, cabinets or pantries it is important to have a clear picture of your project. This will allow your Drawer Slides Supplier to provide the right type of drawer slides for your project. For example, kitchen cabinet drawers typically use Euro, Concealed Undermount or Side Mount drawer slides while other applications may call for more specialized hardware such as Accuride soft close slides, Hettich progressive action drawer slides or heavy-duty bottom mount pantry slides. Knape & Vogt is a single source for a complete collection of innovative drawer slides from multiple manufacturers in a wide range of styles, weight capacities and lengths.

3. Ask for samples

Nothing can make or break the quality of a cabinet project more than the drawer slides you choose. But choosing the right ones can be a daunting task. There are so many options on the market, ranging in length, extension, and more.

Luckily, most suppliers list their sample request process on their websites. This allows you to ask for a few samples and review them in-depth to ensure they meet your needs.

Some samples were hard to open, noisy or didn't have dual springs for closing heavy drawers. And some didn't work properly unless installed with a drawer installation jig and upgraded screws. These are the kind of things that can ruin a customer's experience. So requesting samples is always a good idea. It gives you an idea of what your customers will experience once they receive their slides in the mail.

4. Have a budget

Nothing can make or break the quality of your cabinets more than the type of drawer slides you choose. With all the options on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming for some.

Whether you’re building new drawers or replacing existing ones, it’s important to have a budget for your slide purchases. You don’t want a short slide that prevents the drawer from opening fully or a long one that won’t fit in the cabinet.

Most slides come in lengths ranging from 10” to 28”. Some have special features such as soft-close or self-close. There are also finishes like white or black that help them blend in with different types of wood and stains. You may also choose a concealed slide to hide the hardware from view.

5. Get a quote

There are a wide range of drawer slides available on the market that are used in applications like kitchen cabinets, desks, office furniture, and even storage solutions like pantries. Most of these drawer slides come in a variety of sizes and load ratings, with each type offering specific benefits. For example, Blum offers soft close drawer slides while Hettich offers heavy-duty bottom mount slides. Moreover, some brands like Vadania and Fulterer offer specialty slides you may not have heard of before.

The bottom line is that knowing the right manufacturer can make all the difference when it comes to sourcing quality drawer hardware. At Knape & Vogt, we are proud to be the single source for one of the largest collections of drawer slides that you can find anywhere today.