Measuring & Shelf Options

This 4 step guide explains the various options available for sliding shelves

1. Measurements Needed

You need two quick measurements of your cabinet

SEE FULL MEASURING GUIDE
  • Illustration showing how to measure cabinet opening width in face-framed cabinet from hinge edge to opposite side for pull-out shelf fit.

    Clear Opening Width

    The open gap that the shelf will actually move through. Any intrusions on where the shelf would move will make this measurement smaller. Measure at the height the shelf will be installed. Remember to reduce the measurement to account for things like door overlap, hinges, and doors that open less than 90 degrees.

  • Measuring cabinet depth from back wall to face frame in face framed cabinet for pull-out shelf installation.

    Shelf Depth

    The space from the inside front wall to the inside back wall of your cabinet. Make sure to reduce your measurement to account for protrusions like pipes, wires, outlets, etc.

Note: Standard kitchen cabinets typically use 22" shelves, and standard bathroom cabinets typically use 20" shelves. These sizes are listed on our store as 21 3/4" and 19 3/4" respectively. Please keep this format in mind when ordering.

2. Choose A Mounting Style

The correct hardware to mount your shelf onto your cabinet is included based on your selection

SEE FULL INSTALLATION GUIDE

  • Base mounting (L brackets)

    Mounting directly to an existing shelf or cabinet floor (with L brackets). This is the easiest and strongest way to mount shelves.

  • Half shelf mounting (L brackets + spacers)

    Mounting to an existing half shelf in the back (with L brackets). Then, in the front, mounting to the cabinet's existing face frame (with spacers). This is another easy and strong installation method.

  • Rear mounting (plastic sockets + spacers)

    Mounting to the back of the cabinet wall using a plastic socket (plastic socket just slips onto the back of slides). Then, in the front, mounting to the cabinet's existing face frame (with spacers). This is great for small amounts of weight, like bathroom cabinets. The downside is that under larger amounts of weight, the plastic sockets used with the Standard Slides will only last a few years, however the Ball Bearing Soft-Close Slides use a metal rear socket which has a much greater capacity and life expectancy.

  • Side mounting (spacers / added wood)

    Mounting directly to the side walls of the cabinet with either spacers or added pieces of wood to build out from the side. This is good for when you need a bigger weight capacity than rear mounting, but also don't have or want full or half shelves. Thin cabinet walls (usually around 1/2") and space behind the face frame (usually around 1") can cause leverage and make side mounting a weak installation. The additional wooden strips on the cabinet side walls are to fix this.

Notes: Cabinets without face frame + base mounts L brackets use up 1/4" on each side (normally hidden by the face frame).

Cabinets without doors Deduct 1/2" inch from the clear opening width.

Cabinets with one door Deduct 1/4" inch from the clear opening width.

Cabinets with two doors If you already reduced clear opening width to account for hinges, and your hinges are at least 1/4", no further deductions are necessary.

Full extensions + half shelf For this to work you will need to side mount the shelf on the non-hinged side of the cabinet, or deduct 1/4" from Clear Opening Width and use a 1/4" spacer.

3. Choose A Slide Type

Shelves ship with your chosen slides, attached and ready to mount to your cabinet

  • Rear mount sliding shelf showing compact rail system with durable construction, perfect for maximizing lower cabinet storage.

    Standard 3/4 Extension Slides

    Slides that can move the shelf 3/4 of the way out of the cabinet (using little wheels). To give you an idea of the range: When the shelf is slid open, shelf contents that were in the back take the place of contents that were in the front. These are the recommended slide type. They have smooth movement and reliable rollers. Available on all of our custom sliding shelves.

  • Heavy-duty full extension pull-out shelf with ball bearing slides for smooth kitchen cabinet storage.

    Ball Bearing Full Ext. Soft-Close Slides

    Slides that can move the shelf completely out of the cabinet. For smooth movement and a soft close, these slides use ball bearings rather than wheels. The mechanism is slightly more complicated than 3/4 extension. Unlike the other full extension slides, rear mounting works great for these slides. Shelf warranty is reduced to 5 years with these slides. Only available on our Premium models of shelves.

4. Decide If You Need Spacers

If you reduced your Clear Opening Width measurement to account for anything, you need spacers.
(spacers NOT needed for base mounted shelves)

Spacers

Spacers allow the slides to be mounted further in width-wise from the side of the cabinet. This allows shelves to move freely when they would otherwise hit hinges, doors, etc. Again, if you reduced your Clear Opening Width measurement to account for such things, you need spacers.

The size of spacer you need is the difference between the total open width of your cabinet front face frame and your Clear Opening Width measurements. If the exact spacer size you need isn't offered, order one size larger.

Example

Say the total opening in the front of your cabinet is 15"
You reduce that measurement down to account for hinges, making your clear opening width 14 7/8"
15" - 14 7/8" = 1/8"
The spacer size you need is 1/8"
Again, if the exact spacer size you need isn't offered, order one size larger.

Standard Spacers

The Standard Spacers are for normal cabinets. Each standard spacer has a hole for a screw to go through the slide and spacer (to then attach to your cabinet).
These spacers are available in 1/8" size increments.
Ranging from 1/8" to 1/2"

Euro Spacers

The Euro Spacers are for cabinets with adjustable shelf holes 32mm (1/4") apart. Each euro spacer comes with screws to first attach the spacer to the cabinet, and then attach the slides to the spacer.
These spacers are available in 1/4" size increments.
Ranging from 1/2" to 1 1/2"