The functionality of furniture items is largely influenced by the installed fittings. To increase comfort when using pull-out structures (shelves, drawers, etc.), you can install hidden drawer guides. What is this type of fittings? What are its advantages and disadvantages? How to independently select and install hidden guides, read on.
Drawer on hidden guides
The design and principle of operation of hidden guides
The flush-mounted guide kit includes:
- metal strips;
- metal bases along which the slats move;
- roller or ball mechanisms that facilitate the process of moving the slats;
- pins for fixing fittings to the box;
- fasteners.
Complete set of concealed mounting guides
Standard kits can be supplemented with:
- soft closing devices. Fittings with a closer allows you to extend the life of the furniture, since the absence of cotton when closing eliminates the possibility of damage to the material;
- return springs, allowing you to smoothly and quickly close the extended drawer;
- locking locks that facilitate the process of using and dismantling the structure;
- opening systems by pressing on the drawer front (Push-to-open).
All concealed installation guides are made from high-quality materials and differ in:
- accessibility. The cost of the accessories is significantly lower than the currently popular metaboxes and tandemboxes, and the functionality is much closer to the specified kits;
- quiet operation;
- possibility of fully extending the drawer;
- compactness and the ability to use the maximum amount of space of a piece of furniture;
- durability.
The disadvantages include the complexity of installation, but the detailed instructions included with the hardware kit and the availability of basic skills in working with a simple set of tools will greatly facilitate the process.
Advantages
Hidden guides are attached to the bottom of the drawer, making them invisible. They also allow you to maximize the internal space of the drawer: the guides do not take up space on the sides, they are at the bottom.
Among other advantages we note:
- Possibility of full extension;
- Quiet operation;
- Long-term operation without maintenance;
- Compatible with automatic roll-out and smooth return devices.
Plus the availability of premium fittings. In the official Hafele store, prices for concealed mounting guides start from 380 rubles. You can choose partial and full extension mechanisms, with a damper and an automatic roll-out system.
Hafele – furniture fittings for those who choose the best.
Selection of accessories
The key to long-term use of hidden guides is primarily the correct choice of fittings. To choose the right mechanism for a drawer, you need to consider:
- overall dimensions of fittings;
- maximum load;
- variety;
- manufacturing company.
Types of guides
Concealed mounting guides can be:
Ball guides are made of two or more metal profiles connected to each other using rolling balls (cage).
Hidden ball-type guide device
The advantages of this mechanism are the complete absence of noise during operation, the possibility of regulation and the ability to use with loads of up to 60 kg - 65 kg. A significant disadvantage is the high cost of fittings.
The roller mechanism is a simpler and cheaper design. The guides consist of two metal strips, at the ends of which rollers are installed to facilitate the movement process.
Roller type drawer guide
The disadvantages of this type of fittings are the limitation of the maximum load on the box to 25 kg and the presence of noise during operation, which can be eliminated with the help of rubber tires.
Determination of technical parameters of guides
For correct installation, before choosing, it is necessary to calculate the hidden mounting guides in order to determine the length of the fittings.
When calculating, you must take into account:
- view of the drawer front. There are furniture with overlay and inset facades;
- type of guide (partial or full extension).
The calculation is made in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations:
- for drawers with an inset front, the optimal length of the guide will be determined as the difference between the size of the side wall of the case and 21 mm;
- for a drawer with an overlay facade, use the formula side dimension minus 3 mm.
The box can also be calculated based on additional parameters:
- internal size;
- internal dimensions of the case and so on.
Determining the length of the guides
Manufacturer's choice
The final stage of selection is determining the manufacturer of furniture fittings. It is recommended to purchase hidden guides made by:
- Austrian company Blum (world leader in the production of furniture fittings). The manufacturer specializes in the production of various types of guides. The advantages of the company are the production of a wide range of guides at various prices, including fittings with additional options, a long service life (Blum’s warranty is 15 years), and the addition of detailed instructions for self-installation;
Hidden guides from the world leader
- German company Hettich. The main difference is a more affordable cost. The quality of the fittings is practically not inferior to the world leader;
- Russian manufacturer Firmax. The company produces high-quality accessories developed by Russian specialists. Production is located in China, which reduces the cost of production;
- Italian company Fgv, specializing in the manufacture of retractable fittings and furniture hinges.
You can also pay attention to the fittings of the Russian company Boyard and the Polish company GTV.
Kinds
When choosing furniture guides, you need to pay attention to various factors. The most important parameter is the type of design, according to which they can be roller or ball, and also be equipped with a closer and have a reverse action. Each option has both advantages and disadvantages, so to make the right choice you should study the characteristics of each type.
Roller
The choice of these furniture guides is considered the most popular. They appeared on the market more than 15 years ago, and quickly became in demand among furniture manufacturers and ordinary users.
Roller guides for drawers have many advantages:
- Do not require the use of lubricating pastes and other compounds;
- Ensure smooth movement of boxes;
- They are easy to install, since there is no need to drill numerous holes for fasteners.
Such furniture guides are installed on both sides of the recess allocated for the drawer. Slight deviations in furniture and drawer dimensions are allowed. Even if small errors were initially made in the installation, the design can be adjusted. The length of the roller guides can vary from 200 mm to 600 mm.
Ball
Ball guides are considered quite popular due to their smooth running and ability to withstand significant loads. In addition, they are in an affordable price range. Such telescopic guides can be equipped with closers or produced without them. They consist of two elements, one is attached to the drawer, and the other is attached to the side wall of the furniture. To disconnect them, you need to press a special lock.
There are many models of ball furniture guides that differ in height, which can vary from 17 to 45 mm. Additionally, they differ in the degree of extension. The most popular designs are those whose height reaches 45 mm. They can withstand a load of up to 36 kg, so even large and heavy items can be stored in the drawers.
With door closer
Guides for drawers with closers are considered interesting. They are similar in design to the previous version, the only difference is that these elements are equipped with a closer and dampers. Due to the former, the drawer is picked up in a certain position, after which it smoothly closes independently, without any effort on the part of the person.
The damper ensures that the drawer closes smoothly and silently. Additionally, it acts as a shock absorber, so that even if significant force is applied to close the drawer, strong impacts and noise are prevented.
Designs with a closer are considered reliable and comfortable to use. They can withstand significant loads, which is why they are popular among furniture manufacturers.
Full extension
Full extension slides are popular modern designs. They are based on a special ball bearing. This system ensures complete and smooth opening of any drawer. To use such a retraction system you will have to make some effort.
Guides that ensure full drawer extension are available on the market in numerous models; the choice depends on the planned load. The installation of such fittings should be carried out with extreme caution, since careless handling can cause damage to the integrity of various parts.
Hidden mounting
Installation of guides of this type is considered the most difficult and time-consuming. But this fittings are becoming more and more in demand, as they are convenient to use. The design is equipped with a closer and a reverse action system.
The undeniable advantage of these furniture elements is that they are installed under the bottom of each drawer, so you get the feeling that the object is floating in the air. Other advantages include good reliability of the products, and the movement of the box is smooth and free of extraneous unpleasant sounds. The drawer closes softly and quietly.
Initially, such fittings were installed only on solid wood products, but today they are equipped with structures made of chipboard and MDF. Depending on the model, such guides can withstand loads of up to 50 kg.
Reverse action
Such guides are similar in principle to fittings equipped with closers. The only difference is that the drawer opens by lightly pressing the front with your hand.
A significant advantage of this design is that it is not equipped with any handles or recesses for control. It has an attractive appearance and also allows you to integrate the box into any part of the structure. Often used in the production of furniture in modern styles, where it is important that the glossy surface is not disturbed by any fittings.
It is better not to use reverse action guides for children's furniture. They cause the drawer to pull out abruptly and can injure the child. In addition, pushing such a box will require significant effort.
Tandemboxes and metaboxes
Such fittings appeared on the market relatively recently, but quickly became in demand. Design features include:
- The guide is located directly inside the metal side wall;
- Equipped with a closer;
- Dampers are definitely used.
An important advantage of such fittings is the ability to withstand really significant loads. This is especially true in relation to products in which the guides are installed in a hidden manner.
Another advantage of such elements is their interesting design; they fit well into furniture made in various styles and sizes. Due to excellent performance characteristics, the products are easy to use and have a long service life. In order for the installation to be carried out correctly, it is necessary to use special marking devices. They help to accurately determine the location of the guides and avoid distortions.
I would especially like to mention Bloom's guides. They combine many advantages inherent in various types of furniture fittings. Due to the complexity of the design and ease of use, the cost of such products is considered quite high. Therefore, tandem boxes are usually used in luxury interior items made from natural wood or other similar expensive materials.
How to choose?
When choosing furniture guides, you need to pay attention to various factors. It is thanks to them that it is possible to smoothly and silently open and close different drawers, which can be installed in cabinets, chests of drawers, dressing tables, hallways and other types of cabinet furniture.
When choosing products, various factors and recommendations are taken into account:
- The dimensions of the guides must ideally match the furniture where the drawer will be installed, as well as this element itself, otherwise installation will be complicated;
- In the store, before purchasing, you should make sure that the metal has the optimal thickness, and that all rollers or balls are working properly;
- Externally there should not be any scratches, visible defects or violations of the integrity of the structure;
- A specific type of guide is selected, since some users prefer roller products, while others prefer ball models;
- If guides are selected to replace outdated or broken elements, then similar models are usually purchased;
- Immediately after purchase, you need to make sure that the kit includes all the necessary parts for installation;
- If you choose modern tandem boxes, you should make sure that you can handle the installation yourself. Such products are considered quite specific, so installation often requires the help of specialists;
- The minimum metal thickness should be 1 mm, but it is better to choose designs where this figure will not be less than 1.2 mm. This will allow you to easily cope with high loads and ensure long-term operation.
Thus, furniture guides are important parts of various interior items. These are fittings that make drawers easy to use. Guides are presented in several types, each of which works according to a specific principle. When choosing a specific design, various factors are taken into account to ensure that you can purchase truly high-quality elements.
