Drawer slides make it easy to open and close drawers. Also known as drawer runners, they are metal rails on which drawers glide. Some drawer slides, however, can handle more weight than others. There are drawer slides with a load capacity of 75 to 100 pounds, whereas others have a load capacity of 600 pounds. Here are some of the top factors that affect the load capacity of drawer slides.
Material
The material from which drawer slides are made will affect their load capacity. Nearly all drawer slides are made of metal, but you can find them in different types of metals and metal alloys. Plain aluminum drawer slides are lightweight and inexpensive. Unfortunately, they aren’t very strong, so they can’t handle a lot of weight. Drawer slides made of stronger materials like cold-rolled steel or even hard-anodized aluminum typically have a higher load capacity.
Mount Style
The mount style plays an important role in how much weight a drawer slide can handle. Most drawer slides are mounted in one of two ways: on the sides or the bottom. Side-mount drawer slides are easier to install, and in many cases, have a higher load capacity than their bottom-mount counterparts. With that said, some people prefer bottom-mount drawer slides because they are concealed, whereas side-mount drawer slides are oftentimes visible when the drawers are open.
Size
The size of a drawer slide will affect its load capacity. Generally speaking, longer and/or taller drawer slides can handle more weight than smaller drawer slides. They distribute the weight of the drawer across a larger area. As a result, they typically have a higher load capacity.
Type
Some types of drawer slides naturally have a higher load capacity than others. There are several different types of drawer slides, such as standard, ball bearing and telescoping. Ball bearing drawer slides feature balls within the rails. They provide smooth opening and closing while also boasting a high load capacity. Telescoping drawer slides feature multiple sections that extend out and also boast a high load capacity.
In Conclusion
Not all drawer slides are made equal. Some of them have a higher load capacity than others, making them ideal for heavy drawers, such as those used for industrial storage. Factors that affect the load capacity of drawer slides include the material, mount style, size and type. By understanding these factors, you can select drawer slides that meet your needs.