Everyone thinks of storage cabinets as a big gray metal box that holds paper products and office supplies. This rigid viewpoint of cabinets is still prevalent even now...however times have changed and so have cabinets. To narrow down what type of cabinet will help your given situation, you need to focus on the following parameters.
1- Pre Assembled Cabinet or Unassembled. Cabinets that are assembled still need their locking handles assembled post delivery, due to concerns with damage during transport. Remember that even though unassembled storage cabinets are cheaper in price, they also have a lower load capacity per shelf and will typically take 30 to 45 minutes to assemble. If time is more important than money, we would definitely stay away from unassembled unless you have a staff to help.
2- Fixed or Adjustable Shelving. When choosing between what type of shelving to get for your cabinet, remember that fixed shelving will have a lower load capacity plus you cannot layout your shelves in any creative height order. Typically, adjustable shelves will allow you to move in 2" increments from the center which allows a user to be flexible with its storage items.
3- Locking mechanisms. There are various locking mechanisms for storage cabinets today from handles to recessed, push button or even digital keypad. It depends on whether you just need to store the items or if you need to securely store the items that will be your ultimate decision maker on this topic. If higher security is the issue, we would recommend a cabinet that has a recessed handle or Medico pick resistant lock.
4- Material of Cabinet. Storage Cabinets come in various materials with metal being the most popular due to its durability. When purchasing a metal cabinet, make sure the gauge thickness is adequate...remember that the lower the number is of the gauge the denser the metal. Typical office storage cabinets are 20 to 22 in gauge while industrial type storage cabinets that have higher load capacities have gauges of 12 to 16. A typical cabinet will have a door that is slighter lower in gauge than the overall body of the storage cabinet.
5. Dimensions. Cabinets come in a standard size which is typically 36"wide by 72" in height and 18" in depth. Various sizes that are larger and smaller can also be found depending on your needs. Depths will rarely go beyond 24" while widths usually top out at 48"...however there are a few cabinet manufacturers that go up to 60" in width. If looking for a smaller cabinet, you can find a variety at 42" or counter height size... but going smaller than that will be difficult.
6. Color. Depending on which storage cabinet manufacturer you choose, cabinets now come in an array of colors. The old stand bys still exist like Black, Grey and Tan with new colors recently added in like Red, Navy Blue, Green, Multi Granite and even anti-microbial White.
