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Types Of Filing Cabinets Filing cabinets, which are either made from wood or from steel, come in only two different types: the vertical kind or the lateral kind. Vertical Filing Cabinets This is the most commonly used filing cabinet both in the home or office, being the type that was used for the last two centuries. A vertical filing cabinet is single file cabinet that is slim in width and it takes up very little wall space. They, however, come with a deep dimension of about 30 to 75 cm. This type of cabinet can accommodate and secure documents in letter (15’’) or legal (18”) size. The filing system best used for this type of cabinet is by stacking documents going from front to back. There are usually folder blocks inside, which you can remove or adjust, depending on your filing system. If you need a file from the back of the cabinet, you would have to pull the drawer out of its frame to reach the files. Lateral Filing Cabinets This type is more recent and is more appropriate for spaces where depth is a problem, like the tight and busy spaces of hospitals, law firm, police force or schools. Compared to the other type, lateral filing cabinets are wider (about 114cm) and can accommodate files or documents of any size. Its depth, however, is only about 30cm. Lateral filing cabinets are similar to most utility storage cabinets. The horizontal frame and drawers resemble a dresser and the filing system may be either from front to back or more commonly from side to side. Therefore, important files are within reach or easier to access. This is the reason why lateral cabinets are fast becoming the choice over the vertical type. Some lateral filing cabinets are designed to also serve as a fax stand or typewriter stand or as an extended table. In some offices, lateral filing cabinets are mounted on the wall. Vertical filing cabinets are relatively cheaper than the lateral kind. But lateral filing cabinets may tend to be more cost-effective in the long run. Open-shelf filing storage Some companies make use of this type - it’s a filing storage that has no drawers but shelves. Files are stored and supported with the use of end tab folders. Many medical clinics have this. Filing cabinets must have reliable suspension. Those that are priced cheaper may easily become useless because its weak suspension may cause it to break down. Because filing cabinets are used to store documents, and perhaps most important documents at that, it should be able to protect your files, including tapes and discs, very well. There are some filing cabinets that come with fire-resistant coatings. Choose a good filing cabinet with reinforced steel or those that have good and balanced drawers, to ascertain that the filing cabinet does not topple or knock over. All filing cabinets must come with a secure locking device, to ensure that the items inside are kept safely.
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