soft-close vs. self-close?

Soft close drawers refer to the type of slide mechanism used to mount the drawer to the cabinet. The slides, also called runners, have hydraulic dampeners to ensure your drawers close quietly and smoothly each and every time, even when slammed shut. Drawers that utilize soft-close technology are one of the hallmarks of high-quality cabinetry and closet systems. Everyone wants the best they can afford, so this type of drawer is in high demand.

If you are buying a new closet system with drawers, you want to be sure they are all soft close. However, there are a lot of choices out there. How do you know which to pick? Choose your drawer slides based on whether you need side mount or under mount, the weight rating, and the extension.

Under Mount Drawer Slides: Under mount drawer slides are usually the preferred solution because they are hidden from view when you open the drawer. You must still screw the sliding mechanism to the sides of the cabinet. But the slides attach to the drawer using special clips mounted to the bottom of the drawer box.

The entire slide is hidden from view once the drawer is in place. This type of soft-close slide also has less maintenance than the side mount slide because less dirt collects on the slide under the drawer than the exposed side mount version. They also tend to keep the drawer better aligned inside the drawer cavity, meaning fewer adjustments over time for you. Drawer with under-mount soft-close drawer slides. Side Mount Drawer Slides: Although the under-mount soft-close drawer slides are recommended whenever possible, there cllose times you may need to use a side mount drawer slide system.

One such situation is when there is no bottom of the drawer to soft close vs self close slides log the drawer slide to. Pull-out baskets and hybrid cloth drawer systems are two examples. In these instances, you need a side mount drawer slide.

Consciously or not, consumers always equate under-mount slides with better quality. Side mount slides are a little less expensive than their under-mount counterparts, but you will recoup the difference in price when you eventually sell your home. This wire basket for closets needs side mount drawer slides to function properly. Weight Rating: Drawer slides are rated according s,ides how much weight the drawer will be able to hold once they are installed.

For everyday use, you need a slide rated to hold at least pounds. Everyone ends up sticking more in their drawers than they thought they originally would. Overweight drawers will wear out quickly or slives entirely. Avoid the mess and buy a better-quality drawer soft close vs self close slides log to start with.

Extension: This refers to how far you will be able to pull the drawer from the drawer cavity. Full-extension slides allow you to pull the drawer all the way soft close vs self close slides log. They give you the greatest flexibility for loading and unloading the drawer. They also allow you to see the entire drawer contents at once.

This indicates a cheaper product. Adjusting soft close drawers are easy. Adjust your under mount soft close drawer by moving the adjustment knob in the corner of the drawer soft close vs self close slides log. Use this knob to fine-tune the space between the drawer fronts. This can be done while the drawer is installed. Soft close vs self close slides log do not have to remove it.

Each side can be adjusted separately. This allows you to get rid of soft close vs self close slides log appearance that the drawer is crocked. Your drawers should open and close nicely after completing these simple adjustments. To shut a soft close drawer, all you need to do is give slidex drawer a gentle push. If you are still having problems after completing these adjustments, dlides is probably something wrong with the drawer slides themselves and they should be replaced.

For example, if your drawer resists closing and then bangs, the slides are probably shot. You will have to remove the drawer s and replace the slides. Assuming you went with the under-mount soft close drawers, you remove the drawer by releasing the clip on the bottom soft close vs self close slides log the drawer.

First, open the drawer as far as it will go. The drawer can then be easily soct out of the system. Remove the existing worn-out runners and follow the instructions above on how to install new soft-close drawer slides.

Under mount drawers with soft-close technology have become one of the hallmarks of high-quality cabinetry and closet systems.

For this reason, they are standard on many custom cabinets and high-end closets. They sv more expensive than other types of drawers. However, they are fairly easy for someone who is handy to install on their own. This DIY friendliness puts them within reach for most homeowners, even those on a budget. If you are going to put clkse new drawers or simply want an upgrade on your current drawers, go soft-close.

View all posts by Cathy Rabeler. Skip to content Menu. How to Choose Soft Close Drawer Slides Drawers that utilize soft-close technology are one of the hallmarks of high-quality cabinetry and closet systems.

This is essential to the proper alignment and function of the drawers. Mark the location of where each runner will be placed. If you are installing multiple drawers one above the other, the spacing between each runner will depend on the size of the drawer.

Secure the first drawer slide to the system panel using screws. Install one set of slides at a time starting with the right side. Use the pre-drilled shelf holes in your panel and line them up with the pre-drilled holes in your slide.

Screw in the front of the runner, then the back. Each runner will require two screws for stability. Repeat to install the left drawer runner. Then move onto the next set of slides. Next, secure the part of the slide that attaches to the drawer box with screws.

For under-mount slides, this will be two clips that need to be fixed to the bottom of the drawer box woft the front corners. Many drawer vw are shipped with these clips already in place, in which case you can skip this step. Underside of drawer box with clips for the under-mount slide. Next install the drawers by pulling out the installed slides and placing the drawer box over the extended slides.

Pull the extended slides into the clips under the drawer until they click into place. Pull the slides onto the clise mounted to the bottom of the drawer box.

How to adjust soft close drawers. How to Remove Soft Close Drawers Assuming you went with the under-mount soft close Soft Close Vs Self Close Slides Not drawers, you remove the drawer by releasing the clip on the bottom of the drawer. How to remove soft close drawers. Like this: Like Loading Published by Cathy Rabeler. Prev Closet Jewelry Organizers. Next Closet Construction. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. Search for: Search.

Accuride Europe Designer/Manufacturer of Drawer Slides. Apr 27,  · As the name implies, Blum soft-close hinges minimize the noise of shutting doors by using a hydraulic mechanism to gently guide the door through the arc of the swing and into contact with the cabinet frame. They make little to no sound, and thanks to precision engineering, it takes little to no pressure to get the door shut. Unlike lesser soft-close hinges, it’s easy to the point of effortless to get these doors closed, especially since they work like self-closing . Soft/Self Close Slides. When it comes to the type of these slides, what makes them better than most of the Soft Close Vs Self Close Slides side-mount slides is that they are soft or self-close slides. These slides are so highly sought after because unlike those loud and free-rolling slides that most of us see every day, they have a soft-closing .

Bathroom Cabinet Hinges Home Depot Price Pen Making Kits For Lathe 010 Titebond 3 Ultimate Wood Glue Neck Router Bits To Make Cabinet Doors Dog