Drawer slides — also called drawer runners — are the mechanisms that let a drawer open and close. Mounting styles and optional features vary, and the available internal space must be measured rather than inferred from the runner name.
Common styles and features
- Ball-bearing side-mount. Rails are mounted beside the drawer box.
- Under-mount. Runner components are positioned beneath the drawer box.
- Roller. A wheel-and-rail mechanism guides the drawer.
- Soft-close. This is a damping feature that can be combined with different runner configurations, not a separate mounting family.
How runners affect available space
Runner clearance can contribute to the difference between the cabinet's external dimensions and the drawer's usable interior. Front construction, drawer-box walls, and other hardware can contribute too. See runner clearance for more context, but measure the interior instead of applying a universal allowance.
What runner behaviour changes
Two practical points are worth noticing:
- Runner condition affects drawer movement. Movement in the hardware changes how the drawer opens and closes.
- Soft-close changes the closing action. The damping feature slows the drawer near the end of travel.
For safe sizing guidance, see drawer interior and drawer width.