Choosing A Drawer Slide

Choosing From the Most Common Drawer Slide Types and How to Calculate Drawer Box/Rollout Shelf Sizes

Customers often want to know:

  • Which slide type is best for my project?

  • How do I size the drawer or rollout shelf correctly?

This guide breaks everything down into easy-to-understand, step-by-step, and side-by-side comparisons.

Quik Comparison of Drawer Slide Types


Full Extension Undermount/Concealed
(Soft Close Only)


Full Extension Ball-Bearing Side Mount
(Standard/Maunaul or Soft Close Available)


Epoxy Euro 3/4 Extension
(Soft Close Add-On Available)
Slide Type Visibility Extension Load Rating Best For Installation Difficulty
Full Extension Undermount/Concealed Soft-Close Hidden Full ~100 lb Kitchens, high-end drawers, rollout shelves ⭐⭐ Easy (Requires special notching/boring on drawer box/rollout)
Full Extension Ball-Bearing Side Mount Visible Full ~100 lb Rollouts, retrofits, most cabinetry ⭐⭐ Easy
Epoxy Euro 3/4 Extension Visible 3/4 ~70 lb Builder grade, economy ⭐ Easiest
"Heavy Duty" (100 lb +) models available in Undermount/Concealed & Ball Bearing Side Mount types only

1. Premium Concealed Soft-Close Undermount Slides

(Vitus 300 Series, Vitus 500 Series, Blum, etc.)

Key Features

  • Hidden beneath the drawer — not visible when open

  • Smooth soft-close, self-close action

  • Static load capacity about 100 lbs

  • Available in 3" increments: 9"–24" (most brands) - Up to 30" (some brands)

  • Requires locking devices (sold separately unless otherwise noted)

Sizing Requirements

Width Calculation

Depends on drawer material thickness:

Drawer Side Material Thickness Subtract From Clear Space Opening Width
1/2" thick material 5/8" (.625) total
5/8" thick material 3/8" (.375) total

Example 1:
(Using 1/2" thick side material - QuikDrawers Baltic Birch plywood)
Clear opening width: 18"
18" − 5/8" = 17-3/8" finished/ordered drawer box/rollout width

Example 2:
(Using 5/8" thick side material - QuikDrawers Solid Wood)
Clear opening width: 18"
18" − 3/8" = 17-5/8" finished/ordered drawer box/rollout width

Depth (front to back)

QuikDrawers recommends:

1/2" thick drawer side material (QuikDrawers Baltic Birch plywood) - Ordered drawer box/rollout should be 1/8" (.125) less/shorter than the slide length

5/8" thick drawer side material (QuikDrawers Solid Wood) - Ordered drawer box/rollout must match the slide length

Slide Length Drawer Box Depth Recommended
1/2" thick side material		 Drawer Box Depth Required
5/8" thick side material
21" slide 20 7/8" drawer depth 21" drawer depth
18" slide 17 7/8" drawer depth 18" drawer depth
15" slide 14 7/8" drawer depth 15" drawer depth

Slides typically require 7/8"–1" extra cabinet depth beyond the slide length.

Height Consideration

QuikDrawers recommends:

3/4" (minimum) less/shorter than opening height - The undermount slides elevate the drawer box/rollout by ~1/2".  The additonal 1/4" is for clearance at the top of the opening.

Example:
Clear opening height: 5"
5" − 3/4" = 4 1/4" maximum drawer box/rollout height  (At QuikDrawers, our heights are limited to mostly whole inch height increments with a few 1/2" exceptions.  From QuikDrawers you would order a 4" drawer box/rollout.)

Installation Notes

  • Works in face frame or frameless cabinets

  • Face frame installs usually require "Rear Mounting Brackets"

  • Notching/boring IS required (available when ordering from QuikDrawers)

  • All undermount slides require locking devices to attach the drawer box (sold separately unless otherwise noted)

2. Full-Extension Ball-Bearing Side-Mount Slides

(Vitus 303 and similar)

Key Features

  • Visible on sides of the drawer

  • Full extension to the slide’s full length

  • 100 lb capacity

  • Available in Standard/Manual closing or Soft Closing

  • Available in 2" increments, 10"–28"

  • No special drawer construction required

  • Excellent for pullout/rollout shelves and retrofits

Sizing Requirements

Width Calculation

Requires ½" per side (±1/32"):

Subtract 1-1/16" total

Example:
Clear opening: 19-1/4"
19-1/4" − 1-1/16" = 18-3/16" finished/ordered drawer box/rollout width

Depth (front to back)

Drawer depth should match slide length, but can be longer or shorter if desired.

  • If the drawer slide is longer than the drawer box/rollout, the drawer box/rollout will overextend equal to the difference of the drawer box/rollout depth and the slide length.
  • If the drawer slide is shorter than the drawer box/rollout, the drawer box/rollout will only extend equal to the slide length.  The difference of the drawer box/rollout depth and the slide length will remain inside the opening and may limit access to the drawer box/rollout contents, near the rear of the drawer box/rollout.

Height Consideration

QuikDrawers recommends:

1/4" (minimum) less/shorter than opening height - Ball-bearing side-mount slides do not dictate (by design) the vertical positioning of the drawer within the opening. Our recommended 1/4" overall height reduction simply provides approximately 1/8" of clearance above and below the drawer for smooth operation.

  • To increase the clearance/gap below the drawer box/rollout, install the drawer box slide member lower on the side of the drawer box/rollout
  • To reduce the clearance/gap below the drawer box/rollout, install the drawer box slide member higher on the side of the drawer box/rollout

Example:
Clear opening height: 5"
5" − 1/4" = 4 3/4" maximum drawer box/rollout height  (At QuikDrawers, our heights are limited to mostly whole inch height increments with a few 1/2" exceptions.  From QuikDrawers you would order a 4" drawer box/rollout.)

Installation Notes

  • Works in both frameless and face frame cabinets

  • Rear brackets may be needed for face frame cabinets

  • Requires only minimal top clearance (¼" recommended)

3. Epoxy Euro 3/4 Extension Slides

(Usually white or beige epoxy-coated builder-grade slides)

Key Features

  • Most common builder-grade slide

  • Visible when opened

  • 3/4 extension (does not open fully)

  • Available in 12"–22", 2" increments

  • Budget-friendly

  • Easy installation

  • Optional aftermarket soft-close adapters available

Sizing Requirements

Width Calculation

Requires 1/2" clearance per side

Total subtraction: 1"

Example:
Clear opening: 19-1/4"
19-1/4" − 1" = 18-1/4" finished/ordered drawer box/rollout width

Depth (front to back)

Most modern cabinet manufacturers build their drawer boxes 1/4" less/shorter than the drawer slide length.  QuikDrawers recommends following this standard.

  • Kitchens typically: 22" slide length

  • Bathrooms typically: 20" slide length

Example:
Slide length: 22"
22" − 1/4" = 21 3/4" recommended drawer box/rollout depth

Height Consideration

QuikDrawers recommends:

1" (minimum) less/shorter than opening height - Epoxy Euro slides require the drawer box or rollout to angle upward when being inserted or removed. Once the drawer-side member engages fully with the cabinet-side member, the drawer box or rollout will drop approximately 7/8" into its seated operating position.

Example:
Clear opening height: 5"
5" − 1" = 4" maximum drawer box/rollout height  (At QuikDrawers, our heights are limited to mostly whole inch height increments with a few 1/2" exceptions.  From QuikDrawers you would order a 4" drawer box/rollout.)

Installation Notes

  • Works in face frame or frameless cabinets

  • Ensure slide length reaches rear bracket in face frame cabinets

    • Kitchens typically: 22"

    • Bathrooms typically: 20"

Simple Step-by-Step: How to Determine Drawer/Rollout Size

  1. Measure your clear cabinet opening width
    (face frame to frame, or internal side-to-side in frameless)

  2. Subtract the clearance required

    • Undermount:

      • Confirm drawer material thickness (important only for undermount slides)

      • 3/8" total (for 5/8" thick side material - QuikDrawers "Solid Wood")

      • 5/8" total (for 1/2" thick side material - QuikDrawers "Baltic Birch plywood")

    • Ball-bearing: 1-1/16" total (any side material thickness)

    • Epoxy Euro: 1" total (any side material thickness)

  3. Choose the longest slide that will fit your cabinet depth
    Remember that many slides need 7/8"–1" extra clearance.

  4. Check your height clearance

    • Undermount: 3/4" (minimum recommended)

    • Side-mount: 1/4" (minimum recommended)

    • Epoxy Euro: 1" (minimum recommended)

  5. Place your order with confidence

 

Disclaimer

The information provided in this guide is offered as general, good-faith guidance only and may not apply to every cabinet, drawer, slide model, or installation scenario. Drawer slide specifications, installation methods, dimensional requirements, and product features can vary among manufacturers and product lines. While we make every reasonable effort to present accurate, helpful, and up-to-date information, QuikDrawers makes no guarantees, representations, or warranties—express or implied—regarding the completeness, accuracy, or applicability of this information to your specific project.

All measurements, clearances, formulas, and recommendations should be verified by the customer before ordering or installing any product. Cabinet construction, material thickness, hardware requirements, and installation conditions may differ from project to project, and it is the customer’s responsibility to confirm all required specifications.

QuikDrawers is not responsible for:

  • Misinterpretations or misunderstandings of the information provided

  • Errors resulting from incorrect measurements or assumptions

  • Variations in manufacturer specifications

  • Installation issues, modifications, or project delays

  • Any damages, incidental or consequential, arising from the use of this information

By using this information, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all responsibility for confirming fit, compatibility, installation requirements, and proper application of any product purchased or used.