Measuring for a new drawer box primarily involves accurately measuring the cabinet opening where the drawer will be installed. These measurements are then used to determine the correct size of the drawer box to order.
Based on the provided reference, the process involves measuring both the width and height of the cabinet opening.
Measuring for Drawer Box Width
To determine the required width of your drawer box, you need to measure the inside width of the cabinet opening.
- Measure the distance from the inside left of the cabinet to the inside right.
- It is often recommended to take this measurement in a couple of places (top, middle, bottom) to account for any inconsistencies in the opening. Use the smallest measurement if there are variations.
Crucially, the drawer box width is typically slightly smaller than the opening width to allow for necessary clearance and the drawer slide hardware. The reference provides a specific example: "if the opening is 15 and three quarters that means we order drawer box that is 15 and 3 8 inch wide." This indicates a common practice of reducing the opening width by a specific amount (in this case, 3/8 inch) to calculate the drawer box width.
Measuring for Drawer Box Height
After measuring the width, you also need to measure the height of the cabinet opening.
- Measure the inside height of the cabinet opening, from the bottom of the opening to the top.
- Like the width, measuring in multiple spots (left, middle, right) and using the smallest measurement is a good practice.
The reference mentions measuring the height immediately after measuring the width. While the snippet doesn't provide a specific formula for calculating the drawer box height based on the opening height, the opening height measurement is essential information needed by the drawer box supplier to determine the appropriate box height for your specific needs and hardware.
Key Measurements for Ordering
When ordering a drawer box, you will need to provide the dimensions derived from your cabinet opening measurements.
Here’s a summary of the key measurements you'll typically work with:
| Measurement Type | What to Measure | Used to Determine... | Example Calculation (based on reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Opening Width | Inside width of cabinet opening | Drawer Box Width | Opening Width - 3/8 inch |
| Cabinet Opening Height | Inside height of cabinet opening | Drawer Box Height (approx) | Measure Opening Height |
| Cabinet Opening Depth | Inside depth from front to back | Drawer Box Depth | Often Opening Depth - ~1 inch for slides |
(Note: While the reference snippet didn't detail depth measurement, cabinet depth is also a crucial measurement for determining the maximum usable drawer box depth).
By accurately measuring your cabinet openings and applying the necessary clearances (like the 3/8 inch width reduction shown in the reference), you can determine the correct dimensions for your new drawer boxes.
