Yes, you can replace drawer slides with soft close. Soft-close slides, also known as self-close slides, are an easy and affordable way to upgrade any drawer from standard to a smooth and quiet operation.
Soft-close slides use a dampening system to quickly and silently pull the drawer close as soon as it is shut. This makes for safer use and prevents drawers from slamming shut. When installing soft-close slides, it’s important to make sure the drawer and unit are of suitable weight for the slides that are added.
Soft-close slides are available in several lengths and styles to meet the needs of various drawer designs and weight capacities.
What are the different types of drawer slides?
There are four main types of drawer slides: side-mount, center-mount, ball-bearing, and under-mount.
Side-mount drawer slides are the most widely used and the most affordable. They are usually metal, and they attach to the side of the drawer box and the side of the cabinet. They are easy to install, and they can take a lot of weight.
Center-mount slides attach to the lower half of the drawer with just one screw. Some have a bracket that the drawer slides onto, while others mount directly to the drawer. They are great for shallow drawers, since they don’t take up much space.
Ball-bearing slides are becoming more popular due to their smooth operation; they also hold a lot of weight. They are more expensive than side-mount slides, and they require good alignment in order to work properly.
Under-mount slides are a newer option, and they are becoming very popular. They are ideal for drawers that will be frequently opened and closed, since they are mounted to the bottom of the drawer, instead of the side.
They are hidden, and they have a nice modern look. They are also easy to install, and they are strong enough to hold a lot of weight.
Which is better side mount or undermount drawer slides?
When making a decision on which type of drawer slides are better between side mount or undermount slides, it is important to consider a few factors. Side mount drawer slides are typically cheaper and easier to install, but are not as durable and have less weight capacity than undermount drawer slides.
Side mount slides also have a limited space for drawer organizers and the hardware is slightly more visible. Undermount drawer slides provide more freedom for customizing interior drawer features and can support heavier drawers with increased weight capacities.
Another benefit is that the hardware is completely concealed, giving a more streamlined look. However, undermount slides are more expensive and typically require greater skill and time to install.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose side mount or undermount drawer slides is based on individual preferences and priorities as they both offer unique advantages and disadvantages. If cost is the main factor and you don’t require a heavy-duty design, side mount slides may be the right choice.
If you want an aesthetically pleasing, sturdy design and aren’t restricted by cost, & you should choose undermount drawer slides.
Can you install soft close to existing cabinets?
Yes, it is possible to install soft close to existing cabinets. Depending on the type of cabinets and hinges, there are a few different methods for doing this. If the cabinet has a European style hinge with a pre-drilled hole, soft close hinges could be easily installed.
If the cabinet has concealed hinges, then the hole might need to be drilled in order to install the soft close hinges. It is important to ensure that the drill bit is the same size as the hinge, so that the hinge will fit properly.
If the cabinets have side-mount or surface-mount hinges, then you can simply attach the soft close adapter to the hinge arms. The installation of a soft close hinge typically requires a few simple steps, such as removing the existing hinge and mounting the soft close version.
Measurements should be taken and the installation should be planned before performing any work to ensure proper fit and function.
What is the difference between soft close and self close drawer slides?
Soft close and self close drawer slides both essentially help close and keep drawers shut, but they work in slightly different ways. Soft close drawer slides utilize springs and dampers to help with closing the drawers; when you push the drawer shut, the drawer slides and the existing spring technology helps ease the drawer shut, making it close with a gentle, softer sound.
On the other hand, self close drawer slides are designed with a feature that detects when the drawer is starting to close and a gear mechanism automatically adjusts the resistance so the drawer can close self and silently.
This feature makes sure the drawer shuts evenly each time and prevents it from slamming shut.
Why is my soft close drawer slamming?
Soft close drawers are designed to make opening and closing drawers much easier and quieter than traditional drawers, but sometimes they can experience issues. The most common cause of a soft close drawer slamming is worn out or defective dampers.
The dampers are the small plastic or rubber pieces on either side of the slide mechanism that absorb the shock of the drawer closing, allowing it to close slowly instead of slamming shut. Over time, these dampers can wear out and become unable to do their job, resulting in the drawer slamming shut.
Another cause could be incorrect installation of the slides. If the slides are off-set, out of alignment, or missing parts, they may cause the drawer to close abruptly instead of smoothly. Finally, a lack of lubrication may be causing stuck slides, resulting in the drawer slamming closed when finally freed.
To solve the issue, replace any worn-out or damaged dampers, check for any incorrectly installed slides, and lubricate any stuck slides.
How do you install a soft close drawer damper?
Installing a soft close drawer damper is relatively simple and you can do it yourself with a few basic tools. You’ll need a screwdriver, a drill with a 5/32 drill bit, and a 5/32 nut driver.
Firstly, start by measuring the depth of the drawer and the distance of the hole in which the damper will be installed. Then use your drill and 5/32 drill bit to create a hole at the appropriate depth for the soft close damper.
Next carefully separate the two halves of the damper, and from one of the halves remove the plastic rod and pin. Then slide the plastic rod into the hole you have just drilled, with the threaded portion of the rod facing downwards.
Secure the rod into the hole using the 5/32 nut driver.
From the other half of the damper, attach the plastic pin to the upper portion of the rod. It should fit snuggly and hold the two halves of the damper together.
Finally, without squeezing the damper too hard (which could cause the inner components to break) slide the entire assembly into the drawer, and make sure the plastic pin engages with the front of the drawer.
Once installed, test the damper to ensure it is functioning properly. With that, you have installed your soft close drawer damper.
Are undermount drawer slides better?
Whether you decide to go with undermount drawer slides or not may depend on a few factors, such as the type and weight of the drawers, the style of your cabinet, and the available installation space.
Undermount drawer slides are typically a more expensive option than side mount slides. However, they offer a sleeker, more integrated look, since no part of the slide is visible from the exterior of the cabinet.
They also allow for greater accessibility, since the drawer opens on almost the entire length of the drawer box.
In addition, undermount slides tend be easier to operate due to a ball bearing system that creates a smoother rolling action when opening and closing your drawers. This system also ensures that drawers slide closed with a positive stop, preventing accidentally opened drawers from taking over the entire cabinet and increasing the longevity of the slides.
Undermount drawer slides tend to work best with lightweight drawers. If the drawers are too heavy, the lower opening bracket can exceed it’s strength and pull away from the cabinet. When installed and set up correctly, they can often support up to 75 pounds of weight.
Ultimately, it depends on your requirements, but undermount drawer slides can offer lovelier aesthetics, increased accessibility, and smoother operation compared to side mount slides, albeit at higher costs.
Which drawer slides are easiest to install?
When it comes to the ease of installing drawer slides, there are certain features to look for. Choosing a slide with an “easy mount” feature or with integrated mounting hardware, like a single-screw installation, can make installation much simpler.
Additionally, slides with fewer parts tend to be easier to assemble, as there is less to unscrew, line up, and tighten. Side-mount and under-mount slides are generally the easiest to install, but for larger drawers, a full-extension, center-mount slide may be the best option.
If you choose this slide, look for models that offer a “tool-less” installation option. Overall, the easiest drawer slides to install are those designed to make installation as straightforward as possible.
Can I mount drawer slides on the bottom?
Yes, drawer slides can be mounted to the bottom of a drawer. It is a fairly straightforward process. First, you will need to measure the length of the drawer and then measure and mark where you want the slides to be installed.
You may need a jig saw or drill to cut or make holes in the bottom of the drawer. Then, attach the slides to the bottom according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the type of slides, you may need to use bolts, screws, or other mounting hardware, or you may be able to simply slide the slides into place.
Once the slides are installed, you can mount the slides to the sides of the cabinet using screws or bolts, as well as install any rollers, stops, or guides needed for the drawer hardware to operate correctly.
Can drawer slides be mounted underneath?
Yes, drawer slides can be mounted underneath the drawer, but it requires more time and effort to do so. First, you will need to decide the length of the drawer and the size of the opening in the piece of furniture where the drawer will be sliding, as this will determine the type of drawer slide you will need.
Once you have decided this, you will need to select a slide that is deep enough to fit securely into the opening. This will depend on the furniture design, so it is important to measure the space to make sure the slide is an appropriate fit.
Next, you will need to mount the drawer slide onto the base of the drawer. This can be done with screws that have a wide area of contact to eliminate any rocking of the drawer. You should also measure the distance between the drawer slide and the underside of the drawer to make sure there is no unwanted vibrations or noises when the drawer is opened and closed.
Finally, you should attach the slide to the underside of the opening of the furniture piece. This will usually require two screws to easily secure the slide into the opening. Make sure that the slide is at an even distance from the sides of the opening on each side so that the drawer can move effortlessly.
Once the slide is mounted the drawer should move with ease in the opening.
How do you support the bottom of a drawer?
Supporting the bottom of a drawer is an essential part of ensuring that the drawer is reliable and functional. The most effective way to do this is to use drawer slides, or glides, as they provide smooth sliding motion and can support the weight of items in the drawer.
The slides should be installed along the interior walls of the drawer cavity and they should fit securely into the deck below. The back of the cabinet frame should also be reinforced to securely hold the drawer slides in place.
For added support, some drawer slides may come with brackets that should be screwed into the bottom of the drawer with wood screws. Once all the slides are in place, the drawer should be hung in and tested for a smooth, easy sliding motion.
With these simple steps, you can easily and effectively support the bottom of a drawer.