How thick is the metal on a file cabinet

File cabinets are essential pieces of office furniture used to store important documents and records securely. The thickness of the metal used in their construction is an important factor that determines the overall quality, durability, fire resistance, and security of the cabinet. Selecting a file cabinet made from appropriately thick metal ensures the protection of sensitive information from damage, unauthorized access, or loss.

Typical metal thickness in file cabinets

The majority of standard vertical file cabinets are constructed using steel sheets that are between 0.6 mm (24 gauge) and 1 mm (20 gauge) thick. This provides adequate rigidity and strength for the external body panels, drawers, and frame. High-end models designed for enhanced protection may use metal up to 1.5 mm thick.

Lateral file cabinets tend to have slightly thicker paneling, generally 0.8 mm to 1 mm, to account for their larger size and weight capacity. The metal thickness used can depend on:

• Intended use – personal home office vs commercial office environment.
• Capacity – light or heavy duty based on size and weight loads.
• Type of files – personal documents vs sensitive financial records requiring better security.
• Fire protection rating – 30 mins, 1 hour, 2+ hours based on applicable codes and standards.
• Locking mechanism – key locks, combination locks, electronic locks provide varying levels of security.

Key factors determining metal thickness

Several important considerations determine the optimal sheet metal thickness for a file cabinet:

Strength and rigidity

Thicker steel provides enhanced strength and rigidity to withstand opening and closing of drawers, weight loads, minor impacts, and potential abuse over years of use. Rigid body panels and frames prevent distortion that could cause drawers to jam.

Durability

The thicker the steel used in cabinet construction, the more durable the unit will be. Thicker steel is more resistant to dents, scratches, and wear for longer service life.

Fire protection

For fireproof cabinets rated to withstand 30 mins, 60 mins, 90 mins or more of exposure to flames, thicker steel is required. This gives greater fire endurance before internal temperatures rise excessively.

Security

Thicker steel makes it more difficult to force open locked drawers to steal sensitive content. The stiff body panels and frames resist prying or bending attempts.

Weight and cost

Thicker steel adds weight and cost. So manufacturers aim to strike the optimal balance between thickness, strength, and affordability. Going too thick adds unnecessary expense.

Standard sheet metal gauges used

The thickness of sheet metal is commonly specified by its gauge number – higher numbers indicate thinner sheets. Standard gauges used for file cabinets are:

| Gauge | Thickness (mm) | Thickness (inches) |
|-|-|-|
| 16 | 1.5 | 0.059 |
| 18 | 1.2 | 0.048 |
| 20 | 1.0 | 0.040 |
| 22 | 0.75 | 0.030 |
| 24 | 0.6 | 0.024 |

• 24 gauge steel is commonly used for low-cost personal file cabinets.
• 20 or 22 gauge provides adequate strength for most commercial filing needs.
• 18 gauge offers enhanced durability for heavy duty applications.
• 16 gauge is rarely used except in high security cabinets.

Construction design

In addition to the sheet metal thickness, construction design elements also impact the rigidity and strength of the cabinet:

• Full extension drawer slides – provide maximum stability when drawer is fully pulled out.
• Interlocking drawers – prevent more than one drawer being opened at a time.
• Internal bracing – reinforces the body and frame.
• Steel ball bearing slides – allow smooth opening and closing of heavy drawers.

Locking mechanisms

The lock type also determines the security level of the cabinet contents:

• Key locks – provide basic protection, but keys can be lost or duplicated.
• Combination locks – avoid issues of lost keys but combinations can be deciphered.
• Biometric fingerprint locks – offer excellent security by restricting access to authorized personnel only.

Fireproof ratings

Fireproof file cabinets are built using specialized construction techniques and thicker steel:

• 30 minutes fire rating – 0.7 to 0.8mm thick steel.
• 1 hour rating – 1mm thick steel walls filled with insulation.
• 2+ hour rating – 1.5mm or thicker steel, multiple layers of insulation.

Cost factors

The retail price of file cabinets depends on:

• Steel thickness – 20 gauge costs more than 24 gauge steel.
• Size – the larger the cabinet, the higher the metal and construction cost.
• Type of locks – electronic locks cost more than basic key locks.
• Brand – premium brands charge more than value brands.
• Specialized features – fireproofing, modular design etc. increase costs.

Choosing the right metal thickness

For home offices, 24 gauge (0.6mm) steel provides adequate durability for tax files, personal records, and other documents.

For commercial offices, 20 or 22 gauge (0.8-1mm) steel offers better protection for sensitive client files, financial records, contracts etc.

For law firms and banks, consider heavy duty 18 gauge (1.2mm) steel cabinets for extra security and fire protection for irreplaceable documents.

Always check with code requirements and insurance advisors on the recommended fire ratings and steel thickness to protect confidential data from fire damage.

Leading file cabinet brands

Some top brands that offer high quality metal cabinets in a range of thicknesses are:

• HON – 30 to 18 gauge options, rigid Uni-Frame construction.
• FireKing – 30 to 18 gauge options, reliable protection ratings.
• First American – 20 to 16 gauge models, customizable accessories.
• Sandusky – 22 to 18 gauge cabinets, wide range of sizes.
• Tennsco – 24 to 22 gauge economical models, lifetime warranty.
• GrassAmerica – 20 to 18 gauge designs, stylish and secure.

Maintaining thick metal file cabinets

Follow these tips to get the longest life from high quality metal filing cabinets:

• Use drawer slides properly, don’t force close jammed drawers.
• Avoid excessive loads that could bend/dent panels and frames.
• Clean surfaces gently without abrasive chemicals or scrubbing.
• Ensure casters and leveling glides are adjusted properly.
• Lubricate drawer slides periodically per manufacturer instructions.
• Keep combination or electronic locks maintained per specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How thick are most standard file cabinets?

Most standard vertical file cabinets use sheet steel between 0.6mm to 1mm thick, typically 20 to 24 gauge. Lateral file cabinets may go up to 1mm thick panels, around 20 gauge.

What metal thickness provides the best fire protection?

For fireproof cabinets with 2+ hour ratings, steel thickness of at least 1.5mm or 16 gauge is recommended as it withstands high temperatures for longer.

Do thicker panels make a cabinet safer for important records?

Yes, thicker steel is more resistant to unauthorized entry. So for financial records and other irreplaceable documents, choose cabinets with 1mm+ thick metal and advanced locking systems for maximum security.

Does gauge thickness affect the cost of file cabinets?

Yes, thicker gauge steel is costlier than thin gauge. For example, 18 gauge steel cabinets will cost noticeably more than 24 gauge steel models of the same size from the same manufacturer.

Is it worth buying thicker metal cabinets for home use?

For home offices, standard 24 gauge models offer sufficient durability for taxes, personal files, and other records. Thicker steel cabinets are only essential if you need enhanced fire protection or security.

How do I choose between metal thickness vs cabinet size?

Evaluate your near term and future filing needs. If you expect significant growth in records, buy larger cabinets in standard 24 or 20 gauge metal. If fire protection is critical, get smaller fireproof cabinets in 18 or 16 gauge metal.

Conclusion

The thickness of the sheet metal used – indicated by its gauge number – is an important factor affecting the durability, fire rating, security, cost, and overall quality of file cabinets. While home users can rely on lighter 24 gauge steel, businesses should opt for 20 to 22 gauge for adequate strength, rigidity, and fire resistance. Specialized environments like banks and law firms may benefit from heavy duty 18 or 16 gauge steel cabinets. By selecting an appropriate metal thickness suited to their needs, buyers can ensure the safe storage and protection of their vital paper records.