What To Consider Before Installing Blum Undermount Drawer Slides

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Have you ever tapped the side of a drawer with your hip, and then heard it immediately (and unexpectedly) slam shut so loudly you startle yourself and your poor dog or cat in the process? That's probably because you are missing one of the quality features to look for when purchasing new cabinets. We all know there are some kitchen upgrades that are definitley worth the price, and finding a durable soft-close drawer slider, like the Blum undermount drawer slides, is definitely on the list. These soft-close sliders are safer, quieter, and easier to use than alternatives, and since they attach to the bottom of your drawers, they're a seamless piece of hardware that can elevate the overall look of your cabinetry.

Blum undermount slides are developed with an advanced motion system that's designed to quietly glide open and closed, ensuring they're easy to use while minimizing impact and helping extend the life of your cabinets. However, It is important to note that while Blum drawer slides have a ton of benefits, they can also be somewhat complex to install, and there are a few things to take into consideration before you begin the process. Most importantly, you'll need to consider your drawer's depth, width, and the thickness of the material you're using. And if you're planning on doing this without professional help, you'll also need some basic tools like a tape measure, drill, level, screws, and a screwdriver.

Before you use a power tool on anything, you'll need to make sure you have extremely precise measurements — everything down to the sixteenth of an inch needs to be included. First, make sure you know the easiest way to measure drawer slides — then take your tape measure and figure out the outside dimensions of your drawer box (excluding the drawer front). Then, you will need to measure the width of the drawer box, which depends on both the cabinet opening dimensions as well as the thickness of the material you're using. Once you have measured and triple checked the numbers, you can consult the table in your Blum slides' installation instructions to make sure you have the correct size slides before mounting them.

There are quite a few important kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid when you decide to remodel, and one of the most important ones is not knowing when to hire a professional. This could be one such case, especially since measurements need to be as accurate as possible in order for the complicated closing mechanism to function properly. If you don't have a lot of experience with measurements and formulas, it might be worth hiring someone who knows exactly what they're doing, especially if you're planning to build brand new drawers from raw materials or if your drawer slides require any amount of customization. But once you have the new slides installed, you can hurry around the kitchen as much as you want and your furry friends will thank you for never hearing another drawer slam again.