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Articles & Advice > All Cabinets Articles > Drawer Slide Solutions for Sticky Situations

Drawer Slide Solutions for Sticky Situations

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Many homes, older ones in particular, are full of drawers that are prone to getting stuck, too loose, or simply unstable. Installing a drawer slide is one way to alleviate such problems in kitchens, bathrooms, and other rooms in the house. Drawer slides are available in many sizes and with many different weight capacities, so you can be sure that there is one out there that's a perfect fit for your home.

Remodeling with Drawer Slides
The rustic appeal of an older house is often something that homeowners want to keep when doing a remodel. Just because you want to stick with the original cabinets and drawers doesn't mean they have to stick while operating. Adding a drawer slide is a great way to make the original drawers function like new and keep the look of the room intact.

Drawer slides cannot be seen unless the drawer is open, and even then, they are pretty low key. They can attach to the inside of a cabinet and to the side of the drawer or they can be mounted underneath the drawer in the center. In both scenarios, they provide excellent smoothness when opening and closing and, depending on the model, can hold an enormous amount of weight.

The Economics of Drawer Slides
Purchasing enough drawer slides to fit every drawer in the house is most likely much less costly than making over one room. If you're a function over form sort of person, drawer slides make perfect practical and economic sense.

Those who are thinking about a whole new kitchen should consider a simple reworking of the existing features instead of replacing them with new ones. Even if you're thinking about an entire kitchen facelift, the process will be less expensive if you are willing to do a little resurfacing and replace some cabinet and drawer hardware.

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Choosing a Drawer Slide
The task the drawer is supposed to do as well as its dimensions will come into play when choosing a drawer slide. While most people don't need 200 pounds of holding power for their kitchen drawer, this might be a prerequisite for a garage or work area.

Another thing to consider is how often will the drawer need to be completely removed. Some drawer slides are simple to disconnect while others are not meant to be removed until they are being replaced. This is not desirable in some situations and should be considered before you buy.

Replacing your Drawer Hardware
Drawer slides, knobs, handles, hinges, latches, and (in some cases) locks all fall under drawer hardware. If you're in the market for a better functioning and nicer looking kitchen, but aren't ready to spend a lot of money replacing drawers and cabinets entirely, a couple coats of paint or some sanding and stain can go a long way, especially if accompanied by new hardware.

Installing new drawer hardware is an inexpensive, but very noticeable way to change the appearance in a room. In many instances, replacing knobs and hinges will not only make a visual difference, but raise the quality of function, too. How's that for cost-effective?

Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.

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