Full Extension Drawer Runners as Replacements for Alno Kitchens

A full extension runner pulls out 100% and provides complete access to the drawer contents, whereas a partial extension stops at around 75%.

Defective Drawer Runners: Replacement Parts Suitable for Alno Kitchens

Kitchen carcasses made of robust chipboard or MDF have a long lifespan, but the moving mechanical parts undergo natural wear and tear. When drawers sag, scrape, or can only be closed with effort, the runner is usually defective. This frequently affects older kitchen models where the original fittings are no longer manufactured in their initial design.

In such situations, a complete replacement of the runners is necessary. A new full extension runner serves as an ideal replacement for Alno kitchens. Swapping a runner is much like changing a tyre on a car: the dimensions of the hub and the hole centres must match precisely, but the component brand is secondary. As long as the technical specifications align, modern runner systems can be integrated seamlessly as an alternative to existing systems.

Checking Compatibility: Dimensions, Hole Pattern, and System 32

To ensure the new fitting works as a replacement for Alno components, three key parameters on the carcass and drawer must be measured prior to installation.

1. Nominal Length of the Runner

The nominal length (installation length) is measured in the closed state from the rear edge to the front edge of the runner – excluding the attached furniture front. Common lengths in kitchens range from 250 mm - 600 mm. The new runner must at most be as long as the clear internal depth of the kitchen cabinet minus a small tolerance of approximately 5 mm.

2. The System 32 Hole Pattern

Most industrially manufactured kitchen cabinets are based on System 32. This means that the pre-drilled holes in the side panels have an exact spacing of 32 mm from centre to centre. The diameter of these drill holes is usually 5 mm. Ensure that the new runner features a hole pattern compatible with System 32. This allows the old pre-drilled holes in the carcass to be reused directly, speeding up installation significantly.

3. Installation Width and Side Clearance

The space between the drawer side panel and the carcass interior wall is crucial. For a classic ball bearing runner screwed to the side of the drawer, the required installation width is usually 12.7 mm per side. If, on the other hand, an undermount runner is used, the mechanism sits concealed beneath the drawer base. Different calculation formulas apply for the wooden drawer construction here, which is why you should always stick to the original runner type if you wish to retain the existing wooden drawer box.

Suitable furnica Parts for Various Cabinet Widths

Kitchen cabinets are standardised into regular widths. When searching for replacement parts, the selection of runners depends on the carcass width and the intended purpose.

For general replacement of mechanisms across kitchen base units, you can find suitable kitchen cabinet pull-outs and runners designed as alternatives to the original fittings. Depending on the cabinet width, the load capacity and stability of the slides must be adjusted accordingly:

• Narrow pull-out larders and gaps: Models such as a kitchen cabinet pull-out 15 cm or a kitchen cabinet pull-out 20 cm are often used here. These narrow variants usually require runners with a standard load capacity of around 30 kg, as they primarily hold lightweight provisions like spices or bottles.
• Medium drawers for cutlery and pans: For standard dimensions, a kitchen cabinet pull-out 40 cm or a kitchen cabinet pull-out 50 cm is ideal. If storing pots or heavy cookware, a runner with a load capacity of 45 kg should be selected. While the drawer is removed, this provides an ideal opportunity to reorganise the interior with a new kitchen drawer organiser.
• Wide drawers for large pans and waste systems: For wide carcasses, a kitchen cabinet pull-out 60 cm is fitted. Due to leverage and total weight, a heavy-duty runner is essential here.

Specialised systems are frequently retrofitted in sink base units. An under-sink pull-out kitchen bin requires sturdy full extension runners so that the waste bins can be drawn completely clear of the cabinet for emptying. Depending on the unit width, a pull-out kitchen bin 60cm or a more compact pull-out kitchen bin 45cm can be installed to suit existing frontal pull-outs. For orderly recycling, a system designed for kitchen waste sorting is recommended.

Mechanisms: Soft-Close and Push-to-Open

When replacing runners, various convenience features are available. Important for installers: Soft-Close and Push-to-Open are two mechanically opposite mechanisms.

A runner with Soft-Close features an integrated damper (often a small hydraulic cylinder) and a pull-in spring. When pushing the drawer shut, the mechanism engages over the final centimetres, gently braking the front and pulling it silently against the carcass. This is standard in modern kitchens.

A Push-to-Open mechanism (also called tip-on) is used for handleless fronts. Pressing the front releases a tensioned spring that pushes the drawer open slightly. Combining both systems in a single runner is mechanically complex and uncommon for standard replacement parts. Therefore, choose the system that matches the rest of your kitchen. If fronts are being updated during the repair, new kitchen furniture handles can be fitted at the same time.

Note for wall units: If the wall cabinet lift flaps fail to stay open rather than drawer runners failing, the issue lies with the stays. Here, gas struts for heavy flaps serve as replacements. The force is measured in Newton (N) and must be matched precisely to the weight of the wooden door front (e.g. 250 N or 380 N).

Installation and Retrofitting: Tools and Step-by-Step Guide

Retrofitting a full extension runner can be carried out precisely with the correct tools.

Required Tools:

• Cordless screwdriver
• Bits: PZ (Pozidriv) or TX (Torx)
• Tape measure or folding ruler
• Joiner's square
• Bradawl or 3 mm wood drill bit

Installation Steps:

1. Removal: Take out the old drawer box. Unscrew the defective carcass runners.
2. Measuring and Marking: Check whether the old drill holes (usually in a 32 mm grid) can be reused for the new runner. If not, mark an exact horizontal line along the inside of the carcass using the square.
3. Fitting Carcass Runners: Secure the carcass component of the new runner. Use Euro screws (for 5 mm holes) or chipboard screws (diameter 3.5 mm or 4 mm). Ensure the correct setback from the front carcass edge (typically 2 mm).
4. Fitting Drawer Runners: Detach the inner member of the ball bearing runner using the release lever and screw it flush along the bottom side edge of the wooden drawer box.
5. Insertion: Slide the drawer horizontally into the carcass until the runners audibly click into place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I replace an old roller runner with a full extension ball bearing runner? Yes, this is generally straightforward, provided there is sufficient side clearance between the drawer box and carcass side. A roller runner typically requires 12.5 mm of space, while a ball bearing runner needs 12.7 mm. Timber construction usually accommodates this 0.2 mm variance without issue.

What load capacity do I need to consider? For cutlery and light groceries, runners with a 30 kg capacity are adequate. For pots, pans, or heavy waste sorting systems, select full extension runners with at least a 45 kg load rating to prevent sagging when fully extended.

Are furnica runners compatible with Alno drillings? If your existing cabinet uses the standardised System 32 hole pattern, the slotted fixing holes on our runners align precisely with these pre-drilled holes. They serve as an accurate replacement for original factory-fitted hardware.

How do I measure the nominal length correctly? Measure the metal or plastic runner when removed and closed, from the rearmost edge to the front edge. The attached wooden drawer front is not included in this measurement.