Retrofitting Full-Extension Drawer Runners for Pelipal Kitchens

June 17, 2026

A full-extension runner pulls out to 100%, whereas a partial-extension runner exposes only around 75% of the drawer depth due to its design.

Replacing or retrofitting runner systems in existing kitchen cabinets requires precise planning. When drawers stick, the load rating is no longer sufficient, or the convenience of soft-close damping is missing, changing the fittings is the logical step. Components from furnica serve as a functional alternative to existing systems and are compatible with Pelipal and other standard kitchen manufacturers. Crucial factors for a smooth replacement include exact installation dimensions, the hole pattern, and the specific runner technology.

What to Look for Regarding Drawer Runner Compatibility

To ensure new fittings can be installed to fit Pelipal cabinets or other standard units, the mechanical parameters must match exactly. The furniture industry operates largely on standardisation, yet critical dimensional tolerances exist.

The System 32 and the Hole Pattern

Most modern kitchen cabinets are based on System 32. This means that the system hole drilling in the carcase features a vertical distance of exactly 32 mm between hole centres. The distance from the frontmost drill hole to the front carcase edge (front edge setback) is usually 37 mm. When looking for replacement parts for your runners, check whether the new slides support this grid. The slotted holes on the cabinet profiles serve for fine adjustment in case of minimal discrepancies.

Nominal Length and Installation Width

The nominal length defines the length of the runner in its closed state. It typically varies in the range of 250 mm - 800 mm. For a standard base kitchen unit, a length of 450 mm or 500 mm is frequently required. Alongside length, the internal cabinet width (clear distance between the side panels) is critical. A side-mounted ball-bearing slide generally requires an exact installation space of 12.7 mm (sometimes up to 13 mm) per side. An undermount runner, which runs invisibly beneath the drawer base, requires specific cut-outs in the rear panel and sides of the wooden drawer.

Load Capacity and Mechanics

Runners for cutlery drawers often manage with a dynamic load rating of 25 kg or 30 kg. For pots, pans, crockery, or provisions, a heavy-duty runner with 45 kg or more should be chosen. Regarding mechanics, a strict distinction must be made between two systems: a soft-close system utilises a hydraulic or pneumatic damper that brakes the drawer over the final few centimetres and pulls it gently shut. A push-to-open mechanism (also called tip-on) is the exact opposite: it pushes the handleless front outward when pressed. Mechanically, both systems cannot be combined in the same runner, unless highly complex, expensive specialised fittings are used that combine both functions through separate modules.

Suitable furnica Parts as an Alternative to Existing Runners

When retrofitting kitchen cabinet pull-outs, furnica offers various solutions that act as replacements for Pelipal components. Selection depends on the carcase width and the intended purpose.

For narrow larder units or spice pull-outs, compact runners are suitable. Here, a kitchen cabinet pull-out 15 cm or a kitchen cabinet pull-out 20 cm is often used. These narrow formats require a particularly torsion-resistant runner, as the lateral leverage when fully loaded is high.

For classic modular dimensions holding pots and pans, medium to wide systems are used. A kitchen cabinet pull-out 40 cm or a kitchen cabinet pull-out 50 cm covers the majority of standard base units.

Maximum stability is required especially in sink areas or wide hob base cabinets. A kitchen cabinet pull-out 60 cm must run smoothly even under full load. If you wish to utilise the newly gained space in a full-extension drawer systematically, plan directly for a kitchen drawer organiser, which prevents contents from sliding around.

A common reason for retrofitting heavy-duty runners is the installation of waste separation systems. A pull-out kitchen bin carries a high dead weight due to wet organic waste and glass. Suitable for standard unit widths, systems such as the pull-out kitchen bin 60cm or the pull-out kitchen bin 50cm can be integrated. For narrower niches, the pull-out kitchen bin 45cm or the pull-out kitchen bin 40cm is the technically correct choice.

Should fronts also be replaced or realigned during the conversion, this is the ideal opportunity to update kitchen furniture handles and match them to the design.

Retrofitting Full-Extension Runners: Step-by-Step

Installation resembles a mechanical puzzle where the hole pattern in the cabinet dictates the exact positioning. Cleanliness and precise measurement are essential for smooth running.

Required tools:

Cordless screwdriver
PZ bits (Pozidriv, usually size 2)
Tape measure or folding rule
Joiner square
Bradawl or small awl

Step 1: Dismantling the old runners Remove the drawer from the cabinet. With ball-bearing runners, this often requires pressing a small black plastic lever on the side. Undo the chipboard screws on the old cabinet rails and remove them.

Step 2: Measuring and positioning Utilise the existing row of system holes (32 mm grid), provided it is present. The new cabinet rail is positioned so that the front edge sits flush with the cabinet interior edge (or is recessed by, for example, 2 mm according to instructions).

Step 3: Mounting the cabinet profile Screw the rail in place through the slotted holes. Use suitable wood screws (e.g. 3.5 x 16 mm or 4 x 16 mm with countersunk head). Initially tighten the screws only lightly to level the rail horizontally using a spirit level. Then drive fixing screws into the round holes of the rail to permanently secure it against shifting.

Step 4: Mounting the drawer profile Mount the counterpart (the drawer profile) exactly parallel along the lower side edge of the wooden drawer. The distance to the front panel must be identical on both sides down to the millimetre.

Step 5: Inserting and adjusting Guide the drawer horizontally into the cabinet until the runners audibly engage. Check the front alignment gap. If the drawer rubs, loosen the screws in the slotted holes slightly and adjust the height.

FAQ: Replacement Parts and Runners for Kitchen Drawers

Can I easily replace a partial-extension runner with a full-extension runner? Yes, provided the nominal length of the runner and the clear installation width of the cabinet remain identical. With side-mounted ball-bearing slides, the gap between the drawer and cabinet side must still measure exactly the required size (usually 12.7 mm).

Which screws do I need for fitting drawer runners? Generally, chipboard screws with a diameter of 3.5 mm or 4 mm and a length of 15 mm to 16 mm are used. The drive should be PZ or TX to ensure optimal power transmission without slipping. Use only screws with a countersunk head for flat runner holes.

Why is the soft-close damping not working correctly after installation? If the soft-close system does not engage, the drawer is usually not fitted square or the runners are not running 100% parallel. Even a deviation of 1.5 mm in width (e.g. if the carcase is bowed) causes the catch to miss the damper piston. Check the internal dimensions of the cabinet at both the front and rear.