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22 soft close drawer slides are hardware components used to smoothly and quietly close drawers. They are equipped with a soft-close mechanism that ensures the drawer gently and automatically slows down just before it fully closes, preventing slamming and reducing noise. This feature makes these slides popular in modern cabinetry for kitchens, bathrooms, and other furniture requiring drawers. The 22 mm width refers to the size of the slide that will fit in the drawer side space. There are various types of 22 soft-close drawer slides, including;
Ball-bearing Drawer Slides
These are reliable and durable drawer slides that provide smooth and quiet operation. The ball-bearing drawer slides are made with a soft-close mechanism that uses a combination of plastic and steel parts. They are suitable for use in low to middle range drawers.
Concealed Slides
They are also known as undermount slides. These slides are mounted underneath the drawer and are not visible when the drawer is installed. The soft-close mechanism is integrated into the slide, providing a smooth and quiet close. They are ideal for modern and minimalist designs.
Steel Drawer Slides
These slides are constructed from high-quality steel. They are durable and have a high weight capacity. The soft-close mechanism uses a hydraulic cylinder to control the closure speed. Steel drawer slides are suitable for heavy-duty use in toolboxes or commercial-grade cabinets.
Telescopic Drawer Slides
They are known as three-stage slides. These slides have multiple rows of ball bearings that can extend up to three times their closed length. The soft-close mechanism uses a damping device to slow down the drawer's final closing. Telescopic slides are suitable for deep drawers that require full access.
Plastic Drawer Slides
These are lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to install. They are made from durable plastic materials that provide smooth and quiet operation. The soft-close mechanism is built into the slide and uses friction to control the closure speed. They are suitable for lightweight or less frequently used drawers.
Soft-close drawers are a contemporary cabinet feature that is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners. These drawers can smoothly and quietly close themselves without slamming shut. They are equipped with metal slides that contain a damping device and ball bearings. The damping device controls the drawer's speed as it closes, while the ball bearings reduce friction, allowing for a smooth glide. The following are features of a soft close drawer:
Easy to Install
Soft-close drawer slides are simple to install. They can be installed in as little as 5 minutes using a drilling machine. The hardware kit has all the necessary items, and the user can follow the installation instructions to install the slides properly.
Easy to Adjust
Soft-close drawer slides are easy to adjust. They allow users to align the drawers correctly and make any necessary adjustments to ensure the drawers open and close smoothly.
Self-Closing
Soft-close drawer slides make self-closing easy. Once the drawer is pushed lightly, it will glide shut and automatically pull itself into the cabinet, thanks to the integrated soft-close mechanism.
Ball Bearing Equipped
The ball bearing is a crucial component of the soft-close drawer slide. They are equipped with 13/16 ball bearings that provide support for the drawer and enable it to slide in and out easily. The ball bearings also reduce friction, making the drawer feel more luxurious.
Heavy Duty
Soft-close drawer slides are robust and durable. They can support weights of up to 100 pounds per pair. These slides are made with high-quality materials designed to withstand frequent use.
Zero Interference
Soft-close drawer slides offer zero interference. This means that when the drawer is opened or closed, it won't affect the other drawers or cabinet doors. It provides a more cohesive and peaceful living space.
Easy to Change
Soft-close drawer slides are straightforward to replace. Users can easily change the old or faulty slides by removing them and installing new ones. This feature makes maintaining the drawers and ensuring they function correctly easy.
The 22 soft close drawer slides are used in various applications, including the following.
Kitchen Cabinets
Soft-close drawer slides are commonly used in kitchen cabinets. They ensure that cutlery and kitchen tools are stored safely in drawers that do not slam shut. The soft close feature is important in the kitchen, where heavy and sharp items are often stored. The kitchen drawers close silently and securely, eliminating fingers pinched in drawers or the drawers damaging fingers.
Dressers and Nightstands
Soft-close drawer slides are popular in dressers and nightstands. They offer a gentle and quiet closure, ideal for bedroom furniture. The soft close feature ensures that drawers close without disturbing sleep in quiet or shared bedrooms.
Bathroom Vanities
Bathroom vanities often use soft-close drawer slides. The slides allow drawers to store toiletries and grooming essentials and close securely and silently. This is important in bathrooms where space is limited and drawers need to be closed to avoid obstruction.
Office Furniture
Office furniture, such as desks and filing cabinets, uses soft-close drawer slides. The slides allow drawers to store office supplies and documents and close securely and quietly. This is important in office environments where noise needs to be minimized and confidentiality maintained.
Entertainment Centers
Entertainment centers often use soft-close drawer slides in media cabinets and storage compartments. The slides allow storage of media components, accessories, and entertainment-related items and close securely and silently. This is important in living areas or entertainment spaces where noise needs to be minimized.
Closet Organizers
Closet organizers, such as shoe racks and shelving units, can be fitted with soft-close drawer slides. The slides allow storage of shoes, accessories, and organized shelving units and close securely and silently. This is important in closets where space is limited and drawers or shelves need to be closed to avoid obstruction.
When buying soft-close slides, consider compatibility with the drawer's material and weight. Ensure that the slides can handle the weight and are compatible with the drawer material. Also, check the dimensions and measurements to ensure that the slides will fit the drawer.
Another thing to consider is the finish and color of the slides. The finish and color of the slides are visible once the drawer is installed. For metal finishes, chrome is popular and looks modern, while nickel is more muted and works with different styles. Powder coating provides a color option to match the design. Black hides dirt and is clean, while white is neat and works with light-colored cabinets.
When it comes to weight capacity, 22-inch drawer slides can accommodate drawers weighing up to 75 pounds. These slides are suitable for medium-weight drawers in kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Heavier loads may require a more robust slide, such as a 26-inch or 28-inch slide. The weight capacity of a slide is important because if the weight exceeds what it can handle, the drawer will break or the slide will malfunction.
Another important thing to consider when choosing a soft-close slide is the installation method. Some slides are easy to install because they just slide into place. These are called tool-free installation slides. Other slides require precise measurements and tools to install correctly. These are called metal ball bearing slides. They may take longer to install, but they will work better once installed.
Finally, when choosing a soft-close slide, look at the warranty. A longer warranty means the manufacturer believes their product will last. It shows that they are confident in the durability of the slides.
Q1: What are the weight limits for 22-inch soft-close drawer slides?
A1: The weight limit for soft-close drawer slides varies by brand and model. Many can support up to 100 pounds per drawer. It is advisable to check the manufacturer's specifications to get the exact weight limit.
Q2: What is the difference between soft close and push-to-open slides?
A2: Soft-close slides pull the drawer to a complete closure, then activate the soft-close mechanism, allowing it to close quietly and smoothly. Push-to-open slides enable users to close the drawer quickly and securely without using a knob or pulling the handle. The user only has to push the drawer, and it will open, providing a hands-free option.
Q3: Is installation different from non-soft-close slides?
A3: Installation is not different from non-soft-close slides. The only difference is that soft-close slides have an additional damping mechanism that controls the drawer's closing speed. As a result, the drawer will slide quietly and smoothly, making it a preferred choice.
Q4: How to maintain the soft-close mechanism?
A4: The soft-close mechanism is part of the slide, so it must be adequately lubricated during installation. The mechanism will require little maintenance over the years. Users can clean the slides and apply lubricant if they hear any noise during operation.
Q5: Can soft-close slides be used on cabinet doors?
A5: Soft-close slides are mainly designed for drawers. However, there are soft-close hinges for cabinet doors that provide the same quiet and gentle closing function. These hinges are suitable for reducing the noise and slamming of doors in any space.