What is the difference between side mount and undermount drawer slides?

Side mount slides fix to the drawer sides and cabinet walls — easy to fit and tolerant of cabinet tolerances. Undermount slides sit beneath the drawer box, hide the hardware for a cleaner look, and need a compatible drawer box with the right reveal. AOLISHENG builds both: side-mount heavy-duty series (2053 / 2576 / 7625) and undermount soft-close series (MK316 / U4510K).

What does full extension mean compared with 3/4 extension?

3/4 extension leaves the back of the drawer still inside the cabinet; full extension brings the whole drawer clear of the cabinet face so you can reach the back corner. Most AOLISHENG heavy-duty and soft-close series are full extension.

How do I choose the load rating for a drawer slide?

Add the heaviest realistic contents, then add 25–30% headroom so the slide is not run at 100% of its rating every day. AOLISHENG ratings run from 100 lb (U1245) through 265 lb (2053 family), 330 lb (2071), 500 lb (2576 family) up to 770 lb (AQ7625K3 twin-slide).

What are soft-close drawer slides and when do I need them?

Soft-close slides use a damper that pulls the drawer shut in the last few centimetres, preventing slamming. They are most noticeable on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and also reduce the shock load that gradually loosens a carcass. AOLISHENG soft-close options include K2053, U4510K and MK316.

Are stainless steel slides worth it for outdoor or marine use?

Yes — whenever the slide is exposed to weather, salt air, humidity or frequent wash-down (outdoor kitchens, marine galleys, food-prep, coastal installs). AOLISHENG stainless options include W2053, W2576, W5115 and U4510K.

Which AOLISHENG series number maps to which spec?

The stamped codes read: 1245 = 100 lb stainless side mount; 4510 = 100 lb stainless; 5115 = 150 lb; 2053 = 265 lb; 2071 = 330 lb; 2576 = 500 lb; 7625 = 770 lb twin-slide. Remove the drawer and read the code on the inner rail, or send a photo and AOLISHENG will match it.

Can heavy-duty slides be used in RVs, trucks and vehicles?

Yes, with a locking slide so the drawer cannot slide open under braking or cornering. Use locking series such as D5115, D2053 or D7625 for any moving-vehicle storage.

Drawer Slide Guides, Household

How to Install Drawer Slides: Side Mount, Undermount & Bottom Mount (Step by Step)

Posted by

Aolisheng

September 13, 2026

On September 12, 2026

A slide is only as good as its install. Most “defective” slides are actually misaligned by a few millimetres — enough to bind, sag or rattle. This walkthrough covers the three mount types and the steps that keep a drawer sliding like it should.

Tools You Need

Drill/driver and a square
Tape measure and a pencil
Clamps (to hold the slide while you mark)
A small level — or use the drawer itself as a straightedge
Spacers/shims for out-of-square cabinets

Side Mount Installation

Side mount slides screw to the drawer side and the cabinet wall — the easiest to retrofit.

Mark the same height on both cabinet walls. The two slides must be level with each other or the drawer twists.
Clamp the cabinet member to the wall, check it is vertical, and screw it on.
Repeat on the other side — double-check the heights match.
Attach the drawer member to the drawer sides at the same height.
Hook the drawer onto the cabinet members and test. If it binds, one side is high — lower it 1–2 mm.

Clearance: side-mount slides need a consistent gap (commonly 1/2 in / 12.7 mm) between drawer side and carcass. Build the gap in when you size the drawer.

Undermount Installation

Undermount slides hide under the drawer and need a flat cabinet bottom and accurate reveals.

Mount the cabinet members to the underside of the carcass top, parallel and level.
Fit the drawer brackets to the drawer bottom corners per the maker’s offset.
Drop the drawer in and confirm equal front reveal on both sides before final tightening.

Undermount hides the hardware for a clean look but tolerates less error — measure the reveal on both sides before committing.

Bottom Mount Installation

Bottom mount / bottom-slide rails carry load on the cabinet floor and suit cases where the sides cannot take a fixing.

Fix the cabinet track to the cabinet floor, centred and level.
Fix the matching track to the drawer bottom.
Seat the drawer and test travel; shim the floor track if it drags.

Mistakes That Cause Problems

Uneven heights — the #1 cause of binding. Level side to side first.
Wrong clearance — too tight and the drawer scrapes; too loose and it rocks.
Over-tightening — pulls the cabinet member out of square. Snug, then test.
Mixing lengths — both slides must be the same length and the same model.

After Install

Load the drawer and run it full in and out a few times. A smooth, quiet full-extension travel means you are done. For a softer close in kitchens and bedrooms, look at soft close slides, and for handleless fronts, push to open slides.

Not sure which mount fits your cabinet? Send us your dimensions and we will point you to the right AOLISHENG model.