What Are The Different Types Of Drawer Channels?

 

A chest of drawers has become such a common feature in most households that we don’t even think of it twice these days. We just assume they will be there for us to store our things. But in the million times that you have opened and shut the drawers in your home, have you ever stopped and wondered how does the mechanism actually work? Well, if you have, good for you. But if you haven't, we suggest that you do. It works fairly simply if you ask us. However, the entire mechanism relies on what is known as a channel for drawer.

Drawer channels or slides are delicate pieces of machinery used to ease the movement of the drawers. One part of the channel is linked to the side of the drawer while the rest is linked to the cabinet frame. These two parts and then linked. And this then allows the in and out movement of the drawer that we often see. The channel for drawer ensures that there is very little noise while opening and closing the drawer. And the best part about these channels is that they are available in various sizes, styles, and designs for you to choose from depending on your décor and preference. In this article, we are going to talk about a few types of drawer channels.

·        Ball-bearing drawer channel

As far as drawer channels are concerned, ball-bearing drawer channels are one of the most well-known sorts of drawer slides. Ball-bearing drawer channels as the name suggests, are recognized by the utilization of metal balls, also known as ball-bearings. These little balls are implanted in the rails of that channels. It helps reduce friction, thus permitting drawers to open and close more without any problem. You can either opt for one-way or two-way travel channels. Nevertheless, they work on the same principle.

·        Channel with ball-bearing and soft close

This is just another type of ball-bearing drawer channel. It essentially works on the same principle as the previous one mentioned above. The ball-bearing or the metal balls make the move easier. However, there is one difference between the two. The channel for drawer with ball-bearing and soft close has padding towards the end. This ensures that there is no loud thud when you try to close it with force. This is the better option since it is safer and less noisy.

·        Drawer channel in the center

The thing that makes it different than all the other drawer channels you may have ever seen is the way the slides are positioned. As the name implies, these drawer channels are installed in the center directly beneath the drawer. You needn’t worry about the durability of this one since they are strong. Also, these channels are the perfect choice if you want to keep the drawer slides concealed to match the rest of your décor. But there is a catch, these channels cannot take too much weight.

·        Roller channels

Roller channels are one of the most cost-effective options out there. They consist of two parts: a drawer rail and a furniture rail, each of which has its own wheel. The wheels of the drawer rail fit into the groove of the furniture rail and vice versa. They are extremely easy to install. However, they are made using lesser quality material, often plastic (hence the low cost), and do not last as long as any of the other types of channels mentioned above.

These were some of the drawer channel types you can choose from. Keep the use of the drawer in mind before making the choice. And as far as the installation is concerned, you can either do it yourself if you are handy with this sort of stuff, or you can consider hiring a professional to do your bidding for you. Let us know what would you like us to write about next time.