Upgrading From Cream Or Grey Drawers
I am replacing old cream/grey Hettich drawers. Will these white ones fit?
Yes, this is the direct modern replacement for the classic Hettich MultiTech drawers installed in thousands of homes over the last 20 years. While the finish is now a clean white, the dimensions and mechanical "logic" remain consistent. If your old runners are 500mm long, the new 500mm set will fit into the same space. You can swap out the entire drawer system-runners and sides-while keeping your existing cabinet carcass and drawer fronts, instantly revitalizing your kitchen without a full renovation.
How To Identify Correct Drawer Size
How do I measure my old drawer to ensure I buy the correct replacement?
Do not measure the wooden bottom or the back panel. Instead, measure the length of the metal side runner itself, from the very front edge to the very back tip. The sizes come in standard increments (e.g., 450mm, 500mm, 550mm). If your measurement is slightly off (e.g., you measure 498mm), you likely need the 500mm set. It is also important to match the "height" of the metal side (e.g., 86mm for standard cutlery drawers, 150mm for deep pot drawers) to ensure your existing drawer front attaches correctly to the new brackets.
Keeping Cabinet Fronts With New Drawers
Can I keep my existing matching drawer fronts with this new system?
Absolutely. This is the primary reason customers choose MultiTech for repairs. The system utilizes screw-on front fixing brackets that bridge the gap between the new metal sides and your old drawer face. You simply remove your old drawer front, unscrew the old brackets, and screw on the new ones using the same measurements. The adjustment screws on the new sides then allow you to align the front perfectly, so it looks exactly as it did before-just all brand-new.
Installing New Drawer Runners In Old Cabinets
Will the screw holes in my cabinet wall line up with the new runners?
In most cases, yes. Hettich utilises the industry-standard "System 32" drilling pattern, which has remained constant for decades. This means the new runners often screw directly into your existing holes. However, if your old screw holes are worn out or stripped (common in older particleboard cabinets), the MultiTech runners feature multiple fixing slots along their length. You can simply drive a screw into a fresh spot slightly above or below the original hole to ensure a rock-solid fixing without needing to patch the cabinet wall.
Partial Drawer System Replacement
Can I replace just one broken drawer, or do I need to do the whole set?
You can absolutely replace just one. Because the mechanical design is consistent, a new white MultiTech drawer will function perfectly alongside your older cream or grey ones in the same cabinet bank. However, many customers find that once they feel the smooth, silent glide of the new replacement, the older drawers feel "gritty" and noisy by comparison. Since installation is quick, it is often worth replacing a full "bank" of 3 or 4 drawers at once to completely restore the feel of that section of your kitchen.
When To Replace Drawer Components
My drawer front fell off because the plastic clips broke. Do I need a whole new drawer?
Brittle, broken plastic connectors are the most common failure point of 15+ year old drawers. While you can sometimes hunt down just the plastic clips, we highly recommend replacing the whole drawer side set. For a similar amount of effort, you get fresh, robust mounting hardware and brand-new steel runners. This eliminates the risk of the other side breaking in six months and solves any runner wear issues at the same time, giving you a repair that will last another 20 years.
