Basically, there are two types of filing cabinets most commonly used around the country. Although there are other types in accordance to their custom uses, but these two are the most used. These are the vertical file cabinet and the lateral file cabinet. Each type has its own unique and distinct advantage over the other type. Vertical types are usually have long length drawers with slender widths. However, one downside of vertical file cabinets is that their drawers tend to open out long enough to making it quite difficult for a short armed person to reach deep into the drawer to get or scan a file….unless he or she has long arms or moves on to the side of the open drawer to reach something (which many people aren’t accustomed to anyway). On the other hand, lateral file cabinets have drawers which have much shorter lengths but much longer widths making them open out just enough for an average individual to reach in and scan for a file. To have a clearer perspective, one could just look at each type’s orientation as a portrait and a landscape. However, the downside of lateral filing cabinets is that they may take up a lot of wall space in an office or in your home room. If you’ve got the luxury of a big office or room where space is no problem, then the lateral file cabinets might be appropriate.

Choosing which type to use highly depends on each individual’s or business’ needs. One type might be favorable over the other. But whatever is chosen, whether the vertical or the lateral type, that cabinet can certainly be a big help when it comes to organizing and keeping important documents and papers safe. There are many brands of filing cabinets that are in the market. Popular ones used are Hon file cabinets and the Bush file cabinet system. In addition, Hon is also renowned for their big line of sleek wood file cabinet systems (either white wood file cabinet or black wood file cabinet). Almost often, these brands are available at major office superstores and even furniture depots in many localities.

A wood lateral file cabinet, of course, is made up of wood. Although some other cabinet parts such as the drawer slider and guide rails may be made of strong plastic resins or some kind of metal, most other parts are made up of wood. The common wood used for the manufacture of a wooden lateral file cabinet is oak. Oak lumber has a good durability record and gives out a typical shade that satisfies the tastes of those who tend to like the natural shades of wood. Sure, there may also be other kinds of wood utilized and reinforced with laminate to enhance the overall looks but oak is mostly used. Furthermore, the wood materials in major brands are treated with chemicals to preserve the wood as well as to protect it wood burrowing insects which can damage the structural integrity of the cabinet.

On the other hand, lateral metal file cabinets are sturdier as compared with their wooden cabinet counterparts. Although they may cost more, they have proven to be reliable and very durable. Different kinds of metals are used in their manufacture. Those that are intended for light applications are usually made up of thin aluminium or galvanized iron sheets spot-welded together. They are then coated with paint for a nice looking finish. Those that are intended for purposes of severe importance are made up of heavy and very durable metal alloys. Actually, they can already function like a safe. As such, very sensitive and very important papers and documents are mostly stored in these types. In any event of emergencies, fire proof file cabinets are the most durable of all kinds. They can withstand a high degree of heat such as those generated during a fire and a high resistance to abuse and batting such as those occurring during an earthquake. A fire proof filing cabinet is actually a metal file cabinet reinforced with very high quality insulating materials that can withstand heat. Normally, a paper document inside a non fireproof cabinet will burn when subjected to intense heat.

With this in mind, it would be a best practice to safeguard our vital papers against fire. We will never know when it will strike destructively. No matter how we come prepared, accidents can happen in a time we least expect it and in the worst possible manner. Hence, the least we can do is to mitigate the effects. Sure, a business entity could always engage the services of a reputable insurance company for a comprehensive fire insurance plan. But then again, they cannot restore your important documents and data. Looking at the brighter side, many important documents can be replaced but the process of doing so can be time consuming, resource draining and may entail tons of costs and lost opportunities. Hence, it may be a sound decision to invest in a sturdy fireproof storage cabinet. Not only that, it would increase the chances of saving those sensitive data and documents.

These types of lateral filing cabinets are insulated with special materials that can shield the papers inside from the intense heat normally generated in a fire. Without proper insulation, things inside the cabinet will just burn spontaneously as they heat up to a temperature suitable for combustion to take place. Keep in mind that, even though papers are shielded from the fire itself, they still can burn inside if the temperature is right for combustion considering the fact that air can still be present inside the cabinet. Generally, what these cabinets do to protect the contents inside is that they prevent the heat buildup inside their insulated compartments from escalating into higher temperatures that might start the combustion process.

Another thing to note is the fact that not all fireproof cabinets are made equal. That is, they may have different insulation ratings; hence, different capabilities. In most cases, the higher the capability, the more expensive they become. Ratings could include the time frame a fire insulated cabinet can protect the documents inside. Some cabinets can give protection ranging from a few minutes for up to an hour. Heavy duty insulation materials used in high rating fire resistant storage cabinets can give protection for hours.

Wood type cabinets are primarily used in the office for their appearances more than their functional nature. Even though offices these days tend to steer into modern interior designs, still wood furniture products can find their blend in some office designs. One can more particularly see them being placed in many executive offices where the occupants are more likely to prefer a natural wood theme which is akin to a luxurious setting in some way or another. In such context, some may ask, won’t black wood file cabinets be out of place in a room with a natural wood theme. They can be in some situations. But there are offices which have a mixture of color settings which the black color can perfectly fit into. This is where the black wood cabinets can come into perfect use in terms of its appearance whether they be a two drawer style or a 4 drawer style. One noted office theme where black wood cabinets can be a suitable match is when the office background is made up of white colored theme. Black and white has proven to be a good combination that is eye catching.

Different woods are used in making office wood file cabinets. They may range from pine wood to oak wood. However though, oak is the popular choice among the manufacturers. To achieve a black color shade, they are simply applied with a smooth textured finish that produces a classical glossy surface. One advantage of black is that dark stains won’t be much noticeable. Prices may range from a few hundred bucks to a thousand bucks depending on the size, cabinet configuration and features.