How to choose metal boxes for the kitchen? Sizes, types, features

Savig July 26, 2017Specialization: master of interior finishing works. I am well versed in power tools for repair and construction. Formerly a teacher at a radio engineering college.

Metaboxes are a great way to inexpensively and effectively equip your kitchen.

Do you want to furnish your kitchen economically and efficiently? Metaboxes can help you with this. A review of their advantages and familiarity with the technical characteristics of specific models will help me prove this.

Lower kitchen section with four drawers.

Indexed html links, end-to-end placement, prominent places in the top.
Dimensions of the kitchen section (cabinet).

• Height: 820 mm.
• Body depth: 560 mm.
• Width: from 300 to 600 mm. in increments of 50 mm.

Dimensions of facades.

• Height: 176 mm (4 pcs.)
• Width: 296 – 596 mm. (in increments of 50 mm.)

Front view, drawing.

The drawing shows: the dimensions of the facades, the gaps between them, the dimensions of the drawers (metaboxes) and the dimensions for their installation.

In this section, as an example of retractable elements, metaboxes of size 550*150 are used. The metabox assembly is shown below.

The red line next to the size number indicates the edge. This means that this end of the part is the front (visible) and it must be lined with a furniture edge. If there are two lines, this means that both ends of the part of the corresponding size are covered with an edge.

In the given detailing of the kitchen section (module), the dimensions are indicated without taking into account the thickness of the edge.

There is no need to take into account the thickness of furniture edges up to 0.6 mm in the size of the part . The part size will need to be reduced by the appropriate edge thickness if the edge, such as ABS, is going to be 1 or 2mm thick. For example: part width 400 mm, edge thickness 2 mm. It is necessary to paste over both ends of the part. Then the width of the part must be adjusted taking into account the thickness of the edge. Those. it will be 400 - 2 mm. – 2 mm. = 396 mm.

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One of the main criteria when choosing a metabox is the brand and manufacturer. After all, if a company has proven itself poorly, this means that it is better not to buy such furniture.

The best companies in the manufacture of drawers are the following:

1. Bloom. This company is located in Austria. It features high-quality and technologically advanced drawers. It takes into account the wishes of its clients, conducts online consultations on the official website and also makes it possible to calculate the size of the retractable system. True, the cost of such furniture is appropriate.
2. German company Hettich. This is probably one of the most famous brands for the manufacture of retractable furniture. It is distinguished by a variety of models, high quality and online customer support on the official website. There you can also leave a review about the manufacturer, ask a question or help, or use the built-in program to calculate the dimensions of the boxes.
3. GTV company from Poland. This is an analogue of Bloom, only at a better price. In no way inferior to its more expensive company. Moreover, these metaboxes are increased in length up to 750 mm.
4. Fgv from Italy. These metaboxes can be assembled by anyone without any specific skills.
5. Firmax and Boyard from Russia. These companies produce perhaps the cheapest metaboxes. However, the quality is not inferior to foreign representatives.

Thus, by choosing a metabox responsibly, you can make your room attractive and cozy.

Kitchen section with four drawers Assembly diagram.

Section diagram with guides for metaboxes:

Assembly diagram of a metabox for a kitchen base.

The dimensions of the metabox parts are given above in the detailing.

Drawings of parts with assembly holes.

1. Sidewall. Left and right. The drawing is facing the viewer. Single drawing for left and right side panels.

Markings on the sidewall of the guides for metaboxes. 550x150

3. Horizontal connections.

Metaboxes. Calculation of metaboxes.

Calculation of parts for the metabox occurs as follows. Bottom width

=
wall width
, calculated - the internal size of the cabinet minus 32 mm.
(in our case, 236 - 536 in increments of 50 mm.) Bottom length
= guide length minus 2 mm.
(in our case = 548 mm). Wall height
= height of the metabox side minus bottom thickness. (in our case 134 mm.).

Metabox assembly order.

The device for fastening facades to metaboxes allows for adjustment in both planes, vertically and horizontally.

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Closer for metaboxes

categories Tandemboxes for the kitchen Closer for metaboxes or drawers. For drawers of any height up to 900 mm wide. One closer is placed on the left, the other on the right. When designing, it is necessary to provide additional space. Closer housing (attached to the wall of the housing), trigger (attached to the bottom of the box). Click on the picture - you will see an approximate diagram of the installation of furniture fittings. Detailed instructions are included in the kit.

metabox assembly

Calculation of laminated chipboard components for the metabox system

As previously mentioned, the bottoms of such boxes and their back walls are cut from laminated chipboard. Where to get it is already described in the section on roller guides. True, now more material will be needed, so you need to be prepared for much more severe costs. This time it is impossible to give an exact amount, because it depends on many factors: the completeness of the selected material, the manufacturer of the chipboard, the area of ​​the bottom and the height of the back wall. To produce these components, huge pieces will be required, and therefore the price will be calculated differently, completely different from cutting small components from unnecessary scraps.

To find the width of the bottom, you need to subtract 31 millimeters from the size of the internal opening of the module (for roller guides we took 25 millimeters - don’t get confused). The depth is determined by the measurement method, because the stated dimensions of the metabox

Due to various circumstances, they may differ from actual formats by 1-3 millimeters.
Such a discrepancy may serve as a prerequisite for the appearance of a gap between the bottom and the front of the box, or at the junction of the side walls of the metabox
with the same overlay.

The scale of the rear wall is the same as that of the bottom, but its height depends on the size of the facade and side walls, the thickness of the chipboard and whether you will use roof rails. For the deepest drawers with auxiliary stops along the edges and the highest lining of 283-355 millimeters, the rear walls are cut 80-100 millimeters less than the height of the facade. For example, when your drawer front measures 355 millimeters, then the part in question must be 250-270 millimeters. For situations where roof rails are not used, the height of the rear wall forms the difference between the side wall of the metabox

and the completeness of the bottom (16 or 18 millimeters).

Assembling the shell and installing drawers with the metabox system

The assembly of the shell of such boxes begins with twisting the bottom with the back wall using confirmata. Make sure that there is no displacement of the components. Having connected all the parts, it is necessary to strengthen the side walls. In this step, you need to get rid of the small vestigial parts present in front of the iron sides. These are small iron protrusions that have a dramatic impact on the functionality of metaboxes

they don’t, so it’s better to bite them off right away with pliers.

Install a drill with a diameter of 3 millimeters in the chuck of a screwdriver or drill. Metabox side walls

It is better to strengthen it together (one person holds the structure) in the following sequence:

• The twisted bottom and back wall are placed on edge, the sidewall is placed on them, and tattoos are made in 3 places with an awl.
• The side wall is removed and small recesses are drilled into the body of the chipboard.
• Return the part to its place and screw in the screws.
• The box is turned over to the other side, and all actions are repeated.

Fastening tires inside the module, installing doors and roof rails

The marking of the side vertical posts of the module also occurs slightly differently than for boxes with roller guides. In this case, the iron side wall of the metabox is located below the guide rail, so the location for fastening the 1st set is determined as follows: take the height of the sidewall, and add 15 millimeters to it - this will be the distance at which the side rails of the 1st box should be screwed. The upcoming sequence of actions, including the installation function, is one hundred percent similar to the order of work when installing roller guides.

Installing doors has nothing in common with previous technology, because metaboxes have special fastening fittings. It consists of 2 nickel-plated iron corners connected by a screw to a clamping bar. On one side of the corner, to which the facade is screwed, there are slots for Euro screws or screws, and on the side there is another screw designed for up and down adjustment. The doors are installed as follows:

• The shells of the boxes are inserted into the module.
• Mounting and adjusting angles are put on and attached to the side walls of the metaboxes.
• Using a tape measure, the entry points of the screws into the inside of the facade are measured.
  Don't forget about tolerances and clearances.
• After marking the facade, recesses are drilled for a Euro-screw (5 millimeters) or a screw (3 millimeters).
• The corners
  are removed from the sides of the drawers and screwed to the linings.
• The fronts
  with fastening fittings are placed on the shells of the drawers and attached using the method of attracting the pressing strip.
• The adjustment of the linings is carried out using intentionally provided devices. This part can be moved right or left by slightly loosening the fastening screws, and the façade can be raised or lowered by rotating the adjusting screw.

For installation of roof rails

It is necessary to drill 2 holes for the plastic bushings. Do this first on some scrap; in most cases, a drill with a diameter of 9 or 10 millimeters is used.

Advantages

Structurally, metaboxes look very simple

Metaboxes, what are they? Essentially, these are designs that represent a new generation of conventional roller guides. They are distinguished by a number of the following modernizations:

• The appearance of a bottom 15-18 mm thick made of laminated chipboard;

Chipboard is much more resistant to the humid climate of the kitchen than just chipboard

• Manufacturing high side walls from thin metal;

Thin metal, and the structure already weighs much less

• The presence of a system for adjusting the facades relative to the body of the furniture set.

As a result, metaboxes for kitchen furniture receive important advantages:

1. Excellent capacity . After all, thin metal walls take up much less internal space than similar elements, for example, in boxes made of wood, chipboard or MDF;

Metaboxes are more spacious than wooden boxes

1. Significant load capacity . Thick laminated particleboard can withstand significant weight, ranging in different models from 20 kg to 30 kg, even without additional stiffening ribs;

The photo shows that the metabox can easily withstand a full load of bottles of liquids or cans of grains

1. Convenient and simple assembly and installation instructions . There is no need to drill technological holes or perform other tasks that require special tools. It will be enough for you to have a regular screwdriver on hand;

Any home craftsman can assemble a metabox with his own hands.

1. Light weight . Here again we have to thank the thin walls of the structure;
2. Low price;

I recommend buying metaboxes with incomplete extension, then the economic benefit will be maximum in comparison with competitors. But samples that extend completely, in most cases, are inferior in cost to, for example, ball systems.

1. No swaying effect of the drawer due to the top mounting of the guides;
2. The beautiful modern look goes particularly well with styles such as hi-tech, minimalism and modern;

Metaboxes look great in the interior of a modern kitchen

1. Quite a wide range of linear parameters . Typical sizes of metaboxes for kitchen cabinets:

1. Long service life;
2. High resistance to mechanical stress.

Metaboxes for the kitchen

The development of modern technologies affects absolutely all areas of life. It is reflected in almost everything - new, more convenient objects, furniture, and fittings appear. They are created taking into account all new production technologies, which means their quality and convenience for the end consumer increases. In proportion to the increase in these characteristics, the buyer's demands also increase. That is, it gives an incentive to develop further.

Kitchen utensils have also developed. A striking example of such development is the metabox - a special system of sidewalls and guides, which is designed to facilitate the use of drawers, making it almost silent and fast. They will make it much easier to pull out any drawer, as well as extend its service life. When ordering furniture in Cherkassy, ​​they can design a kitchen for you with just such a set.

How is metabox convenient?

Not such an innovation in the world of furniture, the metabox quickly gained popularity among buyers immediately after its appearance. It is used in many items that have retractable drawers - chests of drawers, cabinets. But the metabox built into the kitchen set earned the most favor from buyers.

Drawers in cabinets or cabinets are often opened to get this or that seasoning, spoon, fork, chocolate bar or anything else that any housewife cannot do without. An ordinary old-style drawer, which rests on ordinary wooden slats, makes a nasty grinding noise when pulled out. That is, you won’t be able to open it quietly. In addition, such boxes, as a rule, do not last long - the somehow attached slats simply cannot withstand the load and fall off. Or the bottom of the drawer (it is usually thin) simply wears off. But there are disadvantages besides short service life and noise. Such a box can be very difficult to open, especially when there is something heavy in it. The frictional force plays against the owner, pressing the box against the guide with great force.

Metabox can solve all three of these problems. It is quite easy to install and serves the customer for many years, significantly simplifying the daily cooking process. Since the metabox is made of high-quality metal, it will last significantly longer than wooden boxes. A convenient system on rollers will make its extension faster and easier - the friction force, although it presses down on the small wheels, does not make them slip. They spin and the drawer is easier to pull out. This also reduces the noise level.

An additional advantage of the metabox is the fact that its walls are noticeably thinner and stronger than the walls of conventional boxes. That is, it will fit much more kitchen utensils than any of its wooden “brothers”. A kitchen drawer simply must be strong and reliable, capable of withstanding considerable weights. After all, they can store not only practically weightless bags of spices, but also metal utensils, and sometimes heavy bags of flour, sugar, and various cereals. The main condition is that you do not need to exceed the permissible weight limit. As a rule, a metabox can support approximately 10-20 kilograms of weight. The shorter the box, the more it can hold. But for each model it is better to clarify individually.

Additionally, you can add an automatic closer to the metabox system - it will gently push the box into place, which will make it even easier to use.

Choosing a mechanism for the kitchen and its installation

To understand the basic principles of choosing mechanisms, you need to take into account some features. At its core, a closer is an ordinary spring, which is hidden in a metal capsule with oil . The door closing speed can be adjusted using valves.

Even a novice master can handle the process of installing the mechanism. The most important thing is to choose the right mechanism for the desired type of furniture, and make sure that there are instructions for it. You can also consult with a specialist in the store.

The closers are attached using self-tapping screws. There are three places where the mechanism can be installed:

• on the furniture body;
• on the loops themselves;
• and between the loops.

To install the mechanism on hinges, these hinges must be equipped with special sockets, which is quite rare. In the absence of such sockets, closers are installed using euroscrews . Using these screws, the mechanism can be installed directly on the body of the kitchen furniture.

How does the metabox work?

Metabox is not quite the usual sides of a kitchen drawer, onto which guides are attached. They are located at the top of the wall. Each guide has a wheel with which it must slide along another guide, which plays the role of a base and fastening. Two more guides should be attached to the walls of the cabinet or cabinet from the inside, in the place where the drawer should be located.

As a rule, the sidewall is created from durable metal alloys. The guide is already attached to it. There is a roller attached near the back wall that will slide along the base. The height of the side guides on the drawer itself varies from 54 to 150 millimeters. The length is similar - there are specimens with a length from 270 to 550 millimeters. However, the height of the metabox can be increased using special extension bars (rails). As a rule, they are made in the form of a long but thin strip, which is attached directly to the front and back wall of the box, without affecting the metabox itself. If you attach several of these slats, you will get a reliable side wall.

The second part is a perforated metal strip with a roller at the very beginning, which has small bends inward. It is along them that the wheel on the drawer guide should slide. This strip is built into the cabinet at the required height. The holes on it can be used for screwing in self-tapping screws or bolts. The main thing is to check whether their caps will interfere with use.

After installing the main guides, you need to place the box itself on them. This should be done carefully. It is necessary to carefully insert the roller on the box so that it falls between the curved parts of the base and rolls along them.

The metabox can only be extended three-quarters of its length. Otherwise, it will “fly off” from the base guides and fall out. There is no need to worry that the visible part of the guides will look unattractive or even break due to use. Despite their small thickness (approximately 1.2 millimeters), they are very durable and reliable. The top guides are covered with special enamel that is resistant to friction. In any case, the box is in a closed state for most of the time, when the metabox system is simply impossible to see. But even if you use it often, the paint will not rub off.

Closers for metaboxes

For even more comfortable use, you can buy and install an automatic closer for metaboxes. They are published under various brands, but they have one purpose - to carefully bring the drawer into place when you need to close it. The closer does this smoothly and very quietly. That is, there will not be even the slightest extra sound.

The closer system consists of itself and a counter part, which is screwed directly to the drawer. It must be attached under the guide itself, while comparing it with the mating part.

The door closer can be used for almost any size metabox, making it a versatile kitchen accessory. As a rule, for small drawers, one device is sufficient (as a rule, it is installed on the left), but for drawers more than 90 centimeters wide, an additional closer must be installed on the other side.

Criterias of choice

Before choosing any retractable furniture, you need to pay attention to some parameters. These include:

1. Size and size;
2. Guide element;
3. Additional options;
4. Brand and manufacturer.

Drawers can also include rails that increase the height of the side walls. Accordingly, the box will be larger and more spacious. A soft closing system may also be included. This allows you not to hit the frame when closing. Thus, the furniture will receive less damage and last longer.

A divider can be built into the drawer. It allows you to store small items. Each section contains a specific item. This way it will be difficult to lose her. Such systems are most often used in the kitchen to separate utensils: forks, spoons, legs. And in the bedroom to separate socks, ties and other clothes.

If the buyer is not particularly knowledgeable in choosing a retractable system, he can always consult with the seller. He will tell you about the types of boxes and help you choose the one you need.