The Different Types of Drawer Slides

At Marathon, we offer three types of drawer slides for your building projects - Undermount, Ball Bearing, and Bottom Mount. Choosing the right drawer slide for your project depends on a few factors. 

1. Functionality

2. Cost

3. Quality

4. Overall Aesthetics

Undermount Drawer Slides

The undermount drawer slide is the best way to achieve a clean look to the sides of the drawer box. The hidden slide (beneath the drawer) allows the millwork to be the focal point, instead of the slide itself.

Undermount drawer slide work by attaching an outer rail to the underside of the drawer box. Then, the layered rails (2 or 3 in total) telescope, allowing the entire drawer box to extend outward. For added stability and rigidity, choose a synchronized undermount slide. This will ensure each layer of rails extends the same distance at the same time.

While the undermount slide category may be the highest cost overall, we offer three price tiers based on three of our manufacturers. King Slide produces our best quality undermount slide, which also happens to come with the highest price tag. Our selection of DTC and Salice undermounts offer the best value with a high-quality product at a lower price point. If you’re looking for a good quality undermount and to save a couple dollars, our new M-series Aeon20 undermounts are a great choice.

Ball Bearing Drawer Slides

Ball Bearing slides are a cost effective option without losing much of the same function as undermount slides. Many manufacturers choose ball bearing slides when building furniture, due to their slim profile and wide range of load capacities. However, by choosing a ball bearing drawer slide, you sacrifice the clean aesthetic of the drawer that only undermounts provide.

Between our four brands of ball bearing drawer slides - Marathon, DTC, Repon, and King Slide - you are sure to find a solution that fits your needs.

Bottom Mount Drawer Slides

Bottom mount drawer slides are by far the most economical option. Available in white and brown, these cost-saving slides are a favourite of large OEMs, for multi-unit projects. However, while saving some money, both load capacity and functionality are forfeited by choosing a bottom mount slide.

However, any advanced functions such as soft-close are only available by purchasing an additional adapter.

Soft-Close, Self-Close, and Push-Open Functions

Soft-close drawer slides have become a must-have for most homeowners. The desire for this type of function is most often based on the decrease in noise when closing. However, homeowners will also find that the dampers will keep the contents of the drawers from shifting.

Self-close drawer slides are the standard option from many builders as it is the most economical option. The drawer pulls itself closed in the final two inches of closing. Since there are no dampers like there are on a soft-close drawer slide, the cabinet door could slam if it is closed too hard.

Push-open drawer slides are a great option for a handle-less kitchen, giving the clean European look. Since opening only requires a simple push, those who suffer from arthritis may find push-open slides appealing for the lack of having to grip a handle.

These drawer slide opening/closing options are not necessarily mutually exclusive. There is one option available from Marathon that offers both 

Note: When shopping for a drawer slide, make sure you select the correct length for your drawer box.