Cupboards and filing cabinets: sizes, keys and safety
Guide to office cupboards and filing cabinets: metal vs wood, keys, safety and sizes
Choose office cupboards and filing cabinets wisely: differences between metal and wood, lock types (alike keys and master keying), safety systems (anti-tilt, multi-point) and typical sizes for A4 and legal (also called folio). Important note on keys for second-hand items below.
1) Types and uses: cupboards, filing cabinets and doors
Office cupboards: general storage for folders, supplies and consumables. May be low, tall or modular with adjustable shelves.
- Metal: highly durable and easy to clean; supports multi-point locks. Ideal for high-traffic areas. See refurbished metal cupboards and new metal cupboards.
- Wood (melamine/veneers): warm look and varied finishes; good acoustic behaviour. See refurbished wood cupboards and new wood cupboards.
Filing cabinets (drawers for hanging files): designed for A4 or legal (folio). Built for stability with an anti-tilt system (one drawer at a time). Check refurbished filing cabinets or new filing cabinets.
Common door types:
- Hinged: full opening; requires front clearance.
- Sliding: saves front space; access to half at a time.
- Tambour: slats retract inside; maximises front clearance.
2) Common sizes (cupboards and filing cabinets)
Standard ranges to plan without surprises (may vary by model):
| Type | Width (cm) | Depth (cm) | Height (cm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall metal cupboard | 80–100 (common 90) | 45 | 180–200 | High capacity; ideal with multi-point lock. |
| Metal tambour cupboard | 80–100–120 | 45 | 198–200 | No front swing; perfect for corridors. |
| Tall wood cupboard | 80–100–120 | 40–45 | 180–200 | Adjustable shelves; decorative finishes. |
| Low cupboard (metal or wood) | 80–120 | 40–45 | 70–90 | Useful as a surface for peripherals. |
| 2-drawer filing cabinet | 45–50 | 60–62 | 70–75 | For A4/legal; fits below a window. |
| 3-drawer filing cabinet | 45–50 | 60–62 | 95–105 | Good balance of capacity and total height. |
| 4-drawer filing cabinet | 45–50 | 60–62 | 130–135 | Maximum vertical capacity. |
A4 vs legal (folio): drawers usually allow rail adjustment. Legal requires greater rail spacing than A4; check for adapter frames or adjustable rails.
3) Keys, locks and safety that matter
- Key cylinder lock: standard with 2 keys. For tall cupboards, prioritise 2–3 point locking (top/bottom) for greater resistance.
- Master keying or alike keys: simplifies managing multiple units and replacing copies.
- Anti-tilt on filing cabinets: prevents opening more than one drawer; essential for safety.
- Anchoring and levelling: use levellers and, if appropriate, wall anchoring for tall cupboards.
- Tambour/sliding doors: reduce risk in narrow corridors by avoiding front swing.
Warranty: 6 months on refurbished; 3 years on new. Choose based on budget, urgency and need for matched series.
4) Metal vs wood: when is each best?
- Security and robustness: metal supports multi-point locks and resists knocks better; wood is fine for standard documents and excels in finishes.
- Durability/maintenance: metal = easy to clean and tolerant of heavy use; wood = more care with moisture/impacts, warmer look.
- Space: tambour/sliding avoids front swing; hinged provides full access to the opening.
- Cost and availability: with refurbished storage you can save up to 70% vs new; if you need many identical units, consider new ranges for consistency.
5) Quick buying checklist
- Use (general/confidential) and location (corridor, office, open plan).
- Door (hinged/sliding/tambour) based on real front clearance.
- Sizes (width–depth–height) and number of adjustable shelves.
- Filing (A4 or legal/folio) and rail compatibility on filing cabinets.
- Safety (multi-point, anti-tilt, anchoring) and key plan (alike/master-keyed).
- Finish (metal vs wood) and fit with existing desks/screens.
- Warranty & logistics: refurbished 6 months / new 3 years; free mainland Spain delivery and assembly available at extra cost.
6) Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- What sizes work best for tall cupboards?
- Widths 80–100–120 cm, depth 40–45 cm and height 180–200 cm. For metal, 90×45×180 cm is very common and easy to series-match.
- How do I know if my filing cabinet takes A4 and legal (folio)?
- Check for adjustable rails or adapter frames. Many models allow adjusting rail spacing.
- Which lock is most secure for a tall cupboard?
- A 2–3 point lock that secures top and bottom (and sometimes centre) spreads force and deters prying.
- Metal or wood for front-of-house areas?
- For a warmer look, wood; for robustness and fast cleaning, metal. In narrow corridors, consider tambour/sliding.
7) Useful links on FactoryOficina
- Refurbished metal cupboards
- Refurbished wood cupboards
- Refurbished filing cabinets
- New metal cupboards
- New wood cupboards
- New filing cabinets
Organising files and supplies? Combine tall cupboards with filing cabinets and pedestals for a smooth workflow.
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