Access Your Kitchen Supplies Easier with Quality Drawer Hardware

Posted Mon, 02/08/2010 - 17:12 by The Hardware Guy

Like most things in life, it is often the simplest that mean the most to us, and this is also true in your home. Clear, beautiful windows are wonderful, but what would you do without window seals to keep out the draft and keep in the heat? Lovely art or family photos are essential, but what about the hardware that keeps them in our frames or on our walls? It’s these little things that often get overlooked in the grand scheme of building or remodeling, but these things also make a tremendous difference in our everyday life and improve the functioning of our homes. It is no different with quality drawer hardware.

When remodeling or building a kitchen, people typically pay a great deal of attention to their cabinets and drawers. These are the face of the room in many ways, and the exterior appearance has to coordinate with and compliment the rest of the room. What many people do not pay as much attention to is the hardware that in integral in the performance of these drawers and cabinets. But poorly made or poorly fitting hardware can affect their operation, damage the structure, and cause you to slam them in fits of frustration.

Quality drawer slides, pull, and knobs make it easier to access your kitchen supplies, and they help preserve the look and performance of your drawers. It’s that simple. But choosing the right hardware can be far from simple. Here are a few tips:

• Take the time to measure your drawers. This is absolutely essential – and yet many people skip it! You can’t! Also, you need to consider what type of loads your drawer is going to take. For instance, if you have a drawer in which you will keep pens, pencils, and other miscellaneous and light objects, an Accuride 1029 center mount drawer slide will be fine for that type of load or even for small silverware drawers.

If, however, you need a drawer slide for loads containing heavier silver, pots and pans, or bulk food items, a side mount system is your best bet. These range in capacity from 60 pounds to 500. Accuride, Bold, Fulterer, Hettich, and Knape and Vogt are all good brands from which to choose.

• Consider if you want your hardware to be visible. The benefit of center mount or under mount slide is largely hidden from view, and this is a popular choice among those who want to show off their woodwork or detailing. For heavy loads, though you will want an under mount or a side mount system to ensure proper functioning.

• Consider special features. Blum, for instance, has integrated Blumotion, which provides soft and silent closings. Many drawers are self-closing or offer anti-roll out or bounce-back features.

• Look for quality. Staying within budget is important, but so is saving money in the long-term. You may save initially if you choose cheap hardware for your drawers, but you will pay again and again to replace them, and you may also have to pay to replace your drawers or cabinets. It is worth it to spend a bit more so you get a lot more in return.

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