What Are the Different Types of Drawer Glides?

Side Mount

• Side-mount drawer glides are the most commonly used type, available in a variety of lengths, quality and weights. Side-mount glides are mounted on the outside of the drawer sides and the interior of the cabinet. Mounting them is typically a simple process, but the glides are visible each time you open the drawer.

Center Mount

• Mounted beneath the center of the drawer, center-mount drawer glides are often lightweight. The glide and the hardware are invisible from the top of the drawer and when the drawer is open. The weight rating, however, for center-mount glides is usually light, because there is a single glide supporting the drawer rather than two.

Undermount

• When you want a hidden drawer glide but require one that can handle a significant amount of weight, an under-mount drawer glide is often used. Under-mount glides are mounted at the bottom of the drawer, fitting on the inside edge at each of the drawer's sides. The hardware remains invisible, but unlike center mount glides, there are two glides, enabling them to support more weight.

European

• Also called side-mount underside drawer glides, European glides have a medium weight rating, which is around 100 lbs. These glides mount at the bottom of the side of the drawer and to the inside of the cabinet. They are typically the most affordable type of glide and are fairly simple to install. The hardware is visible but less noticeable than side-mount glides because it is located lower down the drawer near the bottom.

Configurations

• Of the four main types of glides, several configurations can make one glide more desirable than another. For example, glides may fully extend, which means the drawer can glide along the full length of the glide, or they may be three-quarter extension. Some glides can have an extender attached to them, allowing you to pull the drawer out beyond the length of the actual drawer sides. Each glide will have a weight rating as well. Some types can handle only 50 lbs. of weight, making them a lightweight glide. Other glides can handle a medium weight of 100 lbs. or more.