Choosing A Drawer Slide

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

Choose your drawer slide type from those shown below

300 Series Premium Concealed Soft-Close Drawer Slide

Concealed Undermount Soft Close, Self-close Slide

  • Will not be seen on the side of the drawer when the drawer is opened
  • Offers "soft close, self-close" mechanism for smooth operation
  • Vitus 300 Series model (shown above) offers 100# static load capacity
  • Vitus, Blum and other brands are available in 3" increments from 9" to 21" as standard.  KV MuV slide is also offered in 2" increments as well as 3" increments from 9" to 22".  To use these concealed drawer slides, your drawer/pullout/rollout MUST be the same nominal length as the drawer slide length that you are using.  Ex. to use a 21" drawer slide, your drawer depth MUST be 21", for 18" slides, the drawer depth MUST be 18", etc.
  • Requires special drawer construction and modifications.  This notching/boring is available when you order your pullout/rollout shelves.
  • Requires special measurements for drawer clearance
    • For 1/2" drawer material thickness, subtract 5/8" from opening width
    • For 5/8" drawer material thickness, subtract 3/8" from opening width
    • After determining drawer thickness, calculate your pullout/rollout width.  Ex. 19-1/4" (clear opening) - 3/8" (for 5/8" sides) =  18-7/8" will be the pullout/rollout width
  • Depth of pullout/rollout will be the longest slide that will fit your opening depth, to the nearest 3" length. Most slides require 7/8" to 1" additional to its usable length for installation; a 21" slide requires 21-7/8" of clear depth.  Vitus slides will require 1" or less additional clearance for installation.
  • Can be installed in either frameless or face frame cabinets (may require rear mounting bracket on face frame cabinets).  The use of the rear mounting bracket will have an impact on the length clearance needed.
  • Vitus, Blum and other brands may also be attached to a shelf or base cabinet bottom deck by using screw holes in the bottom surface of the drawer slide
  • All of the concealed, undermounted drawer slides require the use of "locking devices" to secure the drawer box to the drawer slides.  Locking devices are sold separately due to feature options.  The KV MuV model slide includes the locking device.

Full Extension, Ball Bearing Side Mounted Slide

  • This slide is visible on the side of the pullout/rollout shelf when drawer or shelf is extended
  • Will fully extend up to its entire length when opened
  • Our Vitus 303 full extension slides have a 100# static load capactiy, exceeding most residential needs
  • Available in 2" increments from 10" to 28".
  • Does not require any special drawer, pullout/rollout construction or drawer/shelf modification
  • Requires 1/2" (± 1/32") clearance between the drawer and drawer opening on each side of drawer or pullout
    • Subtract a total of 1-1/16" from the clear opening
    • Calculate pullout/rollout width.  Ex. 19-1/4" (clear opening) - 1-1/16" = 18-3/16" will be the pullout/rollout width
  • Can be installed with as little height clearance as necessary to insure smooth in and out operation (1/4" minimum is recommended)
  • Can be installed in either frameless or face frame cabinets (may require rear mounting bracket on face frame cabinets)

Epoxy Euro Slide, 3/4 Extension, Side Mount Slide

  • Most common "builder grade" slide in use today
  • Is visible on the side of the pullout/rollout shelf when opened.  Commonly coated in white or beige epoxy paint
  • Will allow for the pullout/rollout shelf to open approximately 3/4 of it length when fully extended
  • Available in 2" increments from 12" to 22"
  • Easy install
  • Requires 1/2" clearance between the drawer and drawer opening on each side of drawer or pullout
    • Subtract a total of 1" from the clear opening
    • Calculate pullout/rollout width.  Ex. 19-1/4" (clear opening) - 1" = 18-1/4" will be the pullout/rollout width
    • Allow 3/4" minimum height clearance to allow for the insertion and removal of drawer with slides mounted
  • Can be installed in either frameless or face frame cabinets (may require rear mounting bracket on face frame cabinets)
  • If mounting slides in a face frame style cabinet, be sure to purchase slides that will reach to the rear of the cabinet where they can connect to the rear mounting bracket.  Normally, in a kitchen, you will use a 22" slide and in a bathroom, the standard would be 20"
  • Aftermarket "soft-close" devices are available for most Euro slide models.
The above information is generic and applies to MOST installations, follow mfg installation instructions if available.