Retrofitting Soft-Close Runners for Alno Kitchens

January 5, 2026

Retrofitting drawers with soft-close cushioning requires mechanical runners that hydraulically or pneumatically brake the closing movement over the final centimetres, smoothly pulling the drawer fully shut.

Older fitted kitchens often possess excellent build quality. The carcase made of high-density chipboard remains solid, and the cabinet fronts remain intact. However, after several years, the hardware technology no longer meets modern standards. When original runners wear out or slam shut, replacing the slides is a logical step. If you are looking for replacement hardware suitable for Alno kitchens, you do not necessarily need to source manufacturer-specific original parts. The industry manufactures fittings according to standard hole patterns. With the correct measurements and an understanding of the hole spacing, modern runners can easily be integrated as an alternative to factory-fitted slides.

Key Factors for Compatibility

In furniture installation, hardware compatibility is determined entirely by millimetre dimensions, load capacities, and drilling patterns. The mechanics engage with the hole grid like precision gears. To find suitable kitchen cabinet pull-outs for an existing unit, three central parameters must be determined precisely.

System 32

Almost all European kitchen manufacturers construct their cabinets according to System 32. This standardised drilling grid defines the location of fixing holes inside the cabinet side. The distance from the front edge of the carcase to the centre of the first hole is 37 mm as standard. The vertical distance between individual holes is exactly 32 mm. The drill hole diameter for fixing screws (typically Euro screws) is 5 mm. When installing new runners as a replacement for Alno slides, you will use this exact same line of holes.

Nominal Length

The nominal length (NL) defines the installation length of the runner inside the cabinet, measured in mm. Standard depths for kitchen base units typically require runners with a nominal length of 450 mm or 500 mm. Measure the outside edge of your existing drawer box (excluding the front panel) from the back wall to the inner face of the front. If the old drawer is 490 mm deep, for example, you will need a runner with a nominal length of 500 mm. The internal clear depth of the carcase must be at least 3 mm to 5 mm deeper than the length of the runner.

Runner Extension Type: Full vs Single Extension

A single extension runner pulls out to roughly 75% of its length. The back section of the drawer remains inside the carcase, making access to stored items difficult. A full extension runner, on the other hand, extends 100%. The drawer box opens entirely clear of the carcase. When upgrading, switching to full extension drawer runners is recommended, as they noticeably improve kitchen ergonomics.

Choosing the Right Replacement Parts for Retrofitting

When selecting new mechanisms, the construction of your existing wooden drawer box determines which runner system is compatible.

Undermount Runners

If the drawer is made of engineered wood and the side walls have a thickness of no more than 16 mm, undermount drawer runners offer the most technically refined solution. The mechanism is fitted invisibly beneath the drawer base. The drawer sits directly on the runners and is locked at the front using special clips. These runners deliver outstanding lateral stability and feature integrated soft-close damping directly within the slide profile.

Ball-Bearing Slides

If there is insufficient space beneath the drawer or the unit relies on a side-groove mounting, ball-bearing telescopic runners are used. These are screwed directly to the sides of the drawer box and the inner carcase wall. In terms of width, they typically require exactly 12.7 mm per side. If you opt for soft-close ball-bearing drawer runners, the clear gap between the inside of the cabinet and the outside of the drawer must be exactly 12.7 mm on both sides.

Checking the Load Capacity

Kitchen drawers must carry substantial weight. A 60 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out laden with pots and pans can quickly exceed 25 kg in total weight. Standard runners are usually rated for 30 kg. For wider pull-outs or larder units, heavy-duty drawer runners should be used, offering load capacities ranging from 45 kg up to 80 kg.

Installation and Retrofitting: Step-by-Step

Installing new hardware requires accuracy. A deviation of just a few millimetres can cause uneven running or misaligned gaps.

Required tools:

Cordless screwdriver
Screwdriver with PZ (Pozidriv) drive (size PZ2)
Tape measure or folding rule
Pencil
Bradawl

Step 1: Removing old runners Remove the drawer box. Undo the fixing screws holding the old runners inside the carcase. If you are taking out old roller runners, clean any dust and grease from the carcase edge.

Step 2: Fitting the carcase profile Align the new runner inside the cabinet using the existing line of holes (System 32). The front edge of the runner is usually positioned 2 mm behind the front edge of the carcase (excluding edge banding). Secure the runner with Euro screws (Ø 6.3 mm) into the 5 mm drill holes. Ensure the runner is perfectly level and sits at a 90° angle to the front edge.

Step 3: Fitting the drawer profile For side-mounted ball-bearing runners, separate the inner drawer profile from the main slide using the small plastic release lever. Screw this profile centrally onto the outer side of the drawer box. For undermount runners, screw the locking clips flush into the front bottom corners on both the left and right sides of the drawer.

Step 4: Insertion and adjustment Slide the drawer box onto the runners inside the carcase. With undermount runners, the drawer will engage into the locking clips with an audible click. Inspect the gap alignment. Modern runners include height adjustment (usually + 2 mm to + 3 mm) and tilt adjustment on the clips, allowing the front panel to be aligned precisely with adjacent units.

Further Kitchen Upgrades

While upgrading your runners, it is often worthwhile looking at the cabinet doors as well. Loudly slamming doors can be rectified by swapping out the hinges. A concealed hinge with an integrated damper brings the door to a quiet, controlled close. The standard cup hole diameter in the door is 35 mm. Soft-close concealed cabinet hinges are compatible with most standard kitchen doors and can easily be replaced via the cross mounting plate on the carcase, provided the mounting style (full overlay, half overlay, or inset) is selected correctly.

For narrower cabinet gaps, such as a 30 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out or a 20 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out, the exact same mechanical principles apply. In these cases, simply pay attention to the reduced installation width, which often requires narrower drawer systems with slimmer side walls.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I convert any old drawer to soft-close? Yes, provided the internal dimensions of the carcase and drawer accommodate the installation of a new runner. For wooden drawer boxes, switching to side-mounted ball-bearing slides or undermount runners with soft-close is almost always viable. It is crucial that the side clearance or the space under the drawer base is sufficient for the new mechanism.

What is the difference between soft-close and push-to-open? These are two distinct mechanisms. Soft-close cushions a briskly closed drawer, pulling it silently shut over the final centimetres. Push-to-open is designed for handleless fronts; pressing the front triggers a spring release that pushes the drawer open. If you prefer handleless designs, you will require dedicated push-to-open drawer runners. Combining both systems within a standard slide is mechanically complex and requires specialised hybrid fittings.

Do I need to replace the drawer front panel when replacing runners? No. If you retain the existing wooden drawer box and only replace the runners on the carcase and drawer, the front panel remains unaltered. The original appearance of your kitchen is completely preserved.

How do I determine the correct nominal length if my old runner has an odd dimension? Always use the depth of the drawer box as your guide. Mechanical runners are standardised in 50 mm increments (e.g., 400 mm, 450 mm, 500 mm). Choose the runner closest to your drawer depth without exceeding the internal clear depth of the cabinet. A 50 cm kitchen cabinet pull-out strictly requires a carcase with an internal clear depth of at least 503 mm to 505 mm.