Undermount Slides not just for Kitchens Anymore?

Almost every new kitchen is made with undermount slides – even imported stock cabinets have them.

Clients today are more educated, familiar with undermounts and have very high expectations.  That’s why dovetail boxes and undermount slides are not just for kitchens anymore.  Some high-end clients not only expect undermounts, but require them to land their job.

Don’t let this make you cringe…

Undermounts may be different, but they aren’t any harder to install…

As long as you know the facts –

Let’s start with a common misconception – even though the slide is referred to as an undermount it still mounts to the vertical panel and will probably hit your system holes.  The drawer box sits on top of the slide, that’s why it’s referred to as an “undermount”.

Now it’s time to get technical –

The drawer spacing is different.  Instead of it being an inch less your opening, it’s 5/8” less when using ½” material and 3/8” less when using 5/8” material.

Number two, undermount slides don’t come every two inches.  Standard sizes are 9”, 12”, 15”, 18” and 21”.  This size refers to your drawer box depth.  Your vertical panel must be an inch deeper than the drawer box.  There are a handful of companies on the market that make a 13” deep undermount, I stock King Slide, it works great.

If you’re outsourcing your drawer boxes than that’s all you need to know.  For a few extra bucks the drawer company will prep the boxes for the undermount slides… Trust me this is the best $3 you’ll ever spend.

If you insist on manufacturing the drawers yourself, you will need to recess the bottom of the box a ¼” so that you can mount the front clips.  You will also need to notch the back of the drawer and drill a 10mm hole.

I hope this post makes you feel a little more comfortable with undermount slides.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at richdemarco@optonline.net.