A guide for all the homeowners out there trying to understand the basics of drawer slides when shopping around for options.

1. ULTIMATE GUIDE TO
DRAWER SLIDES
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT
DRAWER SLIDE FOR YOUR PROJECT
PRESENTED BY OVIS

2. OVISONLINE.COM
THIS GUIDE WILL COVER ALL OF THE ELEMENTS YOU
NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING WHICH DRAWER
SLIDE IS RIGHT FOR YOUR PROJECT.
nn Slide Mounts
nn Slide Length & Extension Types
nn Slide Weight Limits
nn Slide Motion Features
nn Slide Disconnect Types
nn Slide Colors & Finishes
nn Popular Slide Brands
OVERVIEW

3. THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOUNT FOR
YOUR PROJECT

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THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOUNT
BOTTOM MOUNT DRAWER SLIDES
ATTACHMENT POSITION
Bottom left and bottom right hand sides of the drawer box.
With bottom mount drawer slides, the slides attached to the bottom left and bottom right
hand sides of the drawer box. These are generally are a roller guided drawer slide instead
of a ball bearings. Also the most common is the partial extension, but are also available in
a full extension.
The bottom mount has a angle flange that supports the drawer box which also has the
benefit of indexing the side for easier and quicker installation. These are most commonly
used and were designed for frameless cabinets, but have also been adapted and used for
face frame cabinets here in the U.S..

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THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOUNT
SIDE-MOUNT SLIDES
ATTACHMENT POSITION
Horizontally to the drawer and the cabinet body.
In side-mount drawer slides, the slides themselves attach horizontally to the drawer and
the cabinet body. Side mount drawer slides are useful across a wide variety of applications
because of their weight bearing capacities and durability.
Side-mount slides are available with either a ball-bearing or a roller mechanism. OVIS
sells more of the ball-bearing variety because of their load bearing capability, their
increased durability over time and little deflection. Equired clearance is typically around
a ½” between the drawer slides and the sides of the cabinet opening and in general the
only downside to side mount drawer slide is that they will limit the horizontal width of your
drawer. If horizontal width is a concern you might consider getting an undermount slide
with comparable features.

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THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOUNT
CENTER-MOUNT SLIDES
ATTACHMENT POSITION
Directly under the center of a drawer.
Center-mount slides are single slides that mount directly under the center of a drawer.
Center mount slides may restrict the height of the drawer and you need to mind the size
of your cabinet. One benefit is that center mount slides are easier to install. However, most
center-mount slides hold less weight than side mount alternatives.

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THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOUNT
UNDERMOUNT SLIDES
ATTACHMENT POSITION
Slide attach to the sides of the cabinet, locking devices attach to the underside of
the drawer body inside of the cabinet.
Undermount slides mount to the sides of the cabinet and connect to locking devices that
are attached to the underside of the drawer body inside of the cabinet.
Undermount slides are ideal when you want to highlight the quality of your cabinetry itself
because the slides are not visible.
Undermount slides are ideal when horizontal space is limited because they typically only
require 3/16” to 1/4” of space per slide. The other thing to note about under mount slides is
that they require ½” of clearance above and below the drawer in the cabinet opening.

8. OVISONLINE.COM
THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOUNT
GROOVE MOUNT DRAWER SLIDES
ATTACHMENT POSITION
In a groove milled into the side of the drawer box.
Groove mount slides are NOT commonly used in the U.S.. Here in the U.S. we commonly
see these on imported furniture from Europe.
These slides mount in a groove milled into the side of the drawer box and are commonly
identified by the groove height. The common groove heights are 17 mm and 27 mm. OVIS
sells the 17 mm style, but not the 27 mm groove option.
This type of slide generally has a light load rating, and is generally only used in a partial
extension variation.

9. SLIDE LENGTH

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SLIDE LENGTH
It is important for users to consider their ideal slide length and
extension when choosing drawer slides.
Because drawer slides can last for years it is worth making an investment in the exact configuration you
would be most likely to enjoy over a long period. Nothing is more frustrating than having shorter drawer
travel than you need or having your nice granite countertop keep you from being able to access the items
inside your kitchen drawers.

11. OVISONLINE.COM
SLIDE LENGTH
In general most people buy slides that range in size from 10” to 28”. Additionally, at OVIS, we offer a variety of
heavy duty drawer slides that are 30”, 36”, 40”, 42”, 48”, and even up to 60” long.
For side-mount and center-mount slides, typically measure the distance from the front edge of the cabinet to
the inside face of the cabinet back and then subtract 1”. For undermount slides, measure the drawer length.
Slides must be the same length as drawer to work properly.
30”
36”
40”
42”
48”
60”
ADDITIONAL LENGTHS
AVAILABLE AT OVIS

12. SLIDE EXTENSION TYPES

13. OVISONLINE.COM
SLIDE EXTENTION TYPE
PARTIAL EXTENSION:
(SEE ILLUSTRATION FIG. A)
Restricted access to your drawers contents is probably what
most people have become accustom. Slides with ¾ extension
allow you to pull the drawer out ¾ of its total specified length
and are still better than older wooden guide drawers you might
still have around the house. While these are an economical
solution to replacing an old drawer slide there are also some
exciting new options available from OVIS.
FULL EXTENSION:
(SEE ILLUSTRATION FIG. B)
Full extension drawer slides are recommended for the average
homeowner or hobbyists because they allow you to easily view
and access everything that is inside of your drawers.

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SLIDE EXTENTION TYPE
OVER TRAVEL:
(SEE ILLUSTRATION FIG. C)
Drawers with the over travel feature allows drawers to open
beyond full extension, meaning that you get more inches
(See illustration Fig. D) of clearance than you would with a full
extension drawer slide. Drawer slides with over travel are ideal
if you have kitchen countertops that hang over the edge or
have a lip on your cabinets. They will still provide total visibility
and access to your cabinet contents.

15. THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT YOUR
SLIDE WILL NEED TO HOLD

16. OVISONLINE.COM
SLIDE WEIGHT
Weight Rating is an important consideration because you want to have a
drawer slide that lasts for a lifetime of use.
The key to getting your money’s worth is to ensure that you are getting a product that is rated to hold as
much weight as you will require. In general most slides are rated to hold 75, 100 or 150 pounds. This is a key
consideration in places like the kitchen where heavy cooking pots & pans could easily break down lesser
slides. OVIS offers you expert guidance on the usage and installation of heavy duty drawer slides which can
handle up to 500 lbs. of static load.

17. OVISONLINE.COM
SLIDE WEIGHT
Drawer slide weight ratings are determined following the specifications of the following standards programs.
In general all drawer slides are rated based on an 18 inch length. Longer slides will have less weight capacity,
slides shorter than 18” will have a higher capacity. Consult list the below listed governing bodies for details.
nn ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2008 American National
Standards Institute/Business Industrial
Furniture Manufacturers Association
nn ANSI/KCMA A161.1-2006 American
National Standards Institute/Kitchen Cabinet
Manufacturers Association
nn ANSI-BHMA A 156.9-2010 American National
Standards Institute/Builders Hardware
Manufacturers Association
nn NSF/ANSI 2 Food Equipment National
Sanitation Foundation (International)/American
National Standard Institute
nn SEFA-8-2007 Scientific Equipment and
Furniture Association WI Woodworking Institute
(California)

18. THE IDEAL TYPE OF MOTION FOR
YOUR DRAWER SLIDE

19. OVISONLINE.COM
IDEAL MOTION
Today’s slides offer a wealth of complex features that allow you to have a
luxury experience at a reasonable price. Some important features to look
for when purchasing drawer slides are:
SHOCK ABSORPTION PUSH TO OPEN SELF CLOSE SOFT CLOSE
Hard closing or slamming
is often what causes
damage to the internal
mechanism of a drawer
slide. Look for slides that
feature shock-absorbing
capability which will also
limit noise if slammed
shut.
Slides that open with an
easy nudge keeps you
from needing an extra
handle or knob. These
are a great choice for
minimal kitchens and
bathrooms and keep
kids from bumping into
hardware.
Slides return the drawer
all the way into the
cabinet when drawer is
pushed slightly in that
direction.
Slides add a dampening
effect to self-close feature
returning the drawer into
the cabinet softly, without
slamming.

20. INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

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DISCONNECTS
Disconnects are the mechanisms that allow you to remove a drawer from
its housing. There are three common types of disconnects: lever, rail,
and friction. Each one is a little different from each brand.
THE 3 TYPES OF DISCONNECTS
LEVERRAIL FRICTION
Features an internal lever that,
when depressed, allows the
drawer to slide out freely.
Feature a latch that enables you
to raise the drawer up off the slide
to pull it away from the desk or
cabinet in which it’s housed.
Unlike lever and rail disconnects,
do not require the manipulation
of a latch or lever but simply allow
you to open your slide against the
force of the ball bearing holding it.

22. OVISONLINE.COM
COLOR & FINISH
COLOR & FINISH
There are also a few options on the color or look of the drawer slides
you desire.
METALLIC ZINC /
CHROMATED STEEL BLACK WHITE
Most popular finish. Prevents
corrosion in relatively non-humid
environments. Provides your
drawer slides a more
polished look.
Some brands are starting to offer
black drawer slides which blend
well with dark or black stained
wood.
A growing option for clean,
modern styles. Pairs well with
white finished wood.

23. POPULAR SLIDE BRANDS

24. OVISONLINE.COM
POPULAR SLIDE BRANDS
HAWTHORNE & REID
TRUSTED BRANDS WE OFFER

25. OVISONLINE.COM
CONCLUSION
OVISONLINE.COM
For all of your cabinet hardware and drawer slide needs come to the
experts. OVIS has worked with Professionals, Hobbyists, Contractors,
Government Agencies, & Homeowners for over 25 years. We are proud
to supply and advise our customers on the best cabinet hardware,
cabinet organizer, and woodworking supplies available.