Cupboards and filing cabinets: sizes, keys and safety

28/10/2025 · FactoryOficina

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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.

Important regarding keys on second-hand items: refurbished or second-hand storage does not guarantee a key. If a key is essential for a specific item, contact us before purchase to confirm availability of keys or compatible solutions.

Warranty: 1 year 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 1 year / 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.