Do-it-yourself projects are easier to conceptualize than they are to actually carry out. There are so many minuscule aspects of building and maintenance that tend to go overlooked. When DIY renovating kitchens, bathrooms and even bedrooms, the compact storage system of drawers are sure to pop up. Many people may not be sure how to install drawer runners or be aware of how many different types there are, but this is necessary to know in altering a home.

Drawer runners are the pieces of material which support a drawer upon sliding in or out. Their purpose is to ensure that the motion is smooth and does not squeak or make other annoying noises while also keeping the drawer balanced. These runners can be categorized in many different ways depending on material, design, and installation.

Runners can be either lengths of wood or lengths of metal. They are mounted on both sides of the base or housing of a drawer. While metal assemblies are flush with the housing, this is not so with wood runners. Instead, they protrude out a bit to fit in the grooves that should be indented on either side of the drawer.

Drawer slides are a type of slide in which a channel is mounted within the drawer’s housing while a bracket and roller are mounted upon the actual sides of the drawers. With this installment, the drawer’s movement is smooth and may also close on its custom drawer slides own. Ball-bearing drawer slides are the other type which consists of two separate parts. These opposing pieces slide into each other and clip together to hold the drawer open or shut. They come in short or full-extension versions, depending on the preference of the builder.

There are several types of applications for these runners. Full-extension runners are ideal for drawers in which full access is necessary all the way back. Full-extension runners with a concealed soft closing are similar, yet they close more gently. Another type is touch-release, which are also full-extension but have a push-latch technology to hold the drawer closed when it is shut. When the drawer is pushed, it will release the latch and open the drawer.

There are only a few steps to installing runners on drawers. Firstly, runners must be screwed to the sides of the drawer so that they are parallel with one another and at equal heights. Then, the drawer should be held in the cavity of its housing to ensure that the sliders can fully close, marking where screws need to be placed. Tools can then be used to drive in the screws. Finally, the drawer is to be removed and, with a screwdriver, each runner can be loosened. Final touches can then be implemented such as checking the alignment and tightening the screws.