Full Extension Drawer Runners Compatible with Alno Kitchens
A full extension runner allows a drawer to be pulled 100% out of the cabinet carcass, making the entire storage space fully accessible right to the rearmost corner.
When drawers stick, scrape, or sag after years of intensive use, the problem usually lies with the runner slides. Many older kitchen systems were factory-fitted with only a single extension runner, leaving around 25% of the drawer contents hidden inside the unit. Anyone wishing to fix faults or enhance convenience will look for matching replacement parts. This technical guide explains how to find replacement runners that are precisely compatible with Alno kitchen cabinets, and what to look out for when upgrading to modern full extension runners.
What to Consider for Compatibility
Replacement hardware compatible with Alno kitchens or other established kitchen brands must meet specific geometric and mechanical criteria. The hardware industry operates with widespread standardisation, yet millimetres determine whether installation succeeds.
Runner Type: Ball Bearing Runners vs. Undermount Runners
First, the construction type of the existing runner must be identified.
- The ball bearing runner is mounted to the side of the drawer and to the internal carcass wall. It consists of interlocking telescopic profiles with steel ball bearings. A crucial measurement here is the installation clearance between the drawer and the cabinet side, which is standardly often 12.7 mm per side.
- The undermount runner sits concealed beneath the drawer base. It is frequently used for high-quality wooden drawer boxes. Here, the drawer is placed onto the runner and usually secured at the front via locking catches.
Dimensions: Nominal Length and Carcass Depth
The decisive specification for replacement is the nominal length (NL). It indicates the length of the closed runner in millimetres. Typical nominal lengths in the kitchen range between 250 mm - 600 mm, with standard base cabinets usually fitted with 450 mm or 500 mm runners. The internal carcass depth (clear dimension from the front edge to the back panel) must be at least 3 mm to 5 mm longer than the nominal length of the runner.
System 32 and Hole Spacing
Almost all modern kitchen carcasses are manufactured according to System 32. This means: the drill holes in the cabinet side have a diameter of 5 mm, and the distance from hole centre to hole centre is exactly 32 mm. The distance from the front row of holes to the front edge of the carcass usually measures 37 mm. When sourcing runners as an alternative to original Alno fittings, ensure that the fixing positions of the new carcass runner support this drilling grid. This allows existing drill holes to be reused.
Load Capacity in kg
The dynamic load capacity of a runner is essential. For a cutlery drawer, a load capacity of 30 kg is sufficient. For wide deep drawers used to store pots, pans, or heavy crockery, runners with a 40 kg or 50 kg load rating should be chosen.
Mechanisms: Soft-Close and Push-to-Open
Pay attention to the required functionality. Soft-close (damping) gently cushions the drawer over the final few centimetres and pulls it shut silently. Push-to-open (tip-on) is the exact opposite: a spring mechanism ejects the drawer upon a gentle push against the front, which is essential for handleless kitchens. These two systems are mechanically opposing and cannot simply be combined on standard fittings.
Suitable Components for Kitchen Cabinets
When replacing defective runners, it is often a great opportunity to adapt the interior cabinet hardware to current requirements. Selecting the correct kitchen cabinet pull-outs depends largely on the width of the existing carcass.
For wide pots and pans in standard base units, a 60 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out or a 50 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out is frequently required. These widths strictly necessitate runners with high load capacities, as the tare weight of wide timber or metal drawer sides combined with contents quickly exceeds 30 kg.
For narrower cabinets, which are often used for dry provisions or specialist utensils, suitably adapted systems are used. A 40 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out or a compact 30 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out requires less lateral stability, but benefits just as immensely from full extension functionality, as rear items are otherwise difficult to reach in narrow units.
Replacing the drawer runners is also the ideal moment to reorganise the interior layout. A tailored kitchen drawer organiser ensures that cutlery and cooking utensils do not shift around during dynamic opening and closing.
Sink base cabinets place special demands on runner hardware. A system for kitchen waste separation is exposed to extreme daily strain. If you are looking for replacement fittings suitable for Alno sink units, a robust 60cm pull-out kitchen bin is a common configuration. The runners here must not only bear the weight of the waste, but also withstand a humid environment.
If external wear parts are also to be refreshed during the repair, new kitchen furniture handles round off the updated look of the unit front.
Installation and Retrofitting
Replacing a drawer runner is similar to wheel alignment on a vehicle – only when both runners travel precisely parallel at the exact same height will the mechanism operate smoothly without binding.
Tools Required
- Tape measure or folding rule
- Cordless screwdriver
- Crosshead screwdriver (drive PZ2 for standard chipboard screws)
- Pencil and optionally a small spirit level
- Bradawl or awl
Installation Steps
- Removal: Remove the drawer from the carcass. For undermount runners, you usually need to press the locking catches on the underside of the front. For ball bearing runners, there is a small plastic release lever inside the runner that must be pressed to pull the drawer completely out.
- Remove old runners: Undo the screws from the old carcass runners. Take care not to strip the drill holes. Also detach the mating components on the drawer.
- Measure and mark: Check whether the existing hole pattern (System 32) can be used for the new runners. Position the new carcass runner and align it dead level. The distance from the front edge of the carcass to the first drill hole is usually 37 mm.
- Mount carcass runners: Fasten the new runners with suitable chipboard screws (usually Ø 4 mm or 3.5 mm). For existing 5 mm holes, use dedicated Euro screws.
- Mount drawer runners: Attach the mating member (ball bearing runner) to the side of the drawer box or screw the new locking catches (undermount runner) to the front corners of the drawer base.
- Insert and adjust: Slide the drawer onto the runners until it audibly clicks into place. Modern undermount runners feature adjustment dials on the catches for height and tilt. Adjust these until the gap alignment across the kitchen front is perfectly parallel once again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I easily replace a single extension runner with a full extension runner?
Yes, this is generally straightforward, provided the nominal length of the runner and the available carcass depth match. For side-mounted ball bearing runners, the installation clearance (usually 12.7 mm per side) must also be observed. A full extension runner simply requires more clearance to the front when fully opened.
Are all drawer runners standardised?
The fixing positions on the carcass sides almost always follow System 32 (32 mm hole spacing). However, the exact construction profile, the position of locking catches, and the installation width differ depending on the manufacturer and runner type. Therefore, check the compatibility details and technical drawings in millimetres carefully.
Why does my drawer not close flush with the new runners?
If the front protrudes, the carcass runner was often installed too far forward. Check the measurement from the carcass front edge to the first fixing screw (usually 37 mm). On undermount runners, the depth adjustment on the locking catch can also be used to draw the front back by 1 mm to 2 mm.