What Gauge Metal on Filing Cabinet: A Complete Guide

When it comes to filing cabinets, one of the most important considerations is the gauge (thickness) of the steel used in its construction. The gauge of the steel impacts the overall sturdiness, durability, and security of the filing cabinet and its contents. In this comprehensive guide, we will examine the different metal gauges used in filing cabinets, factors that determine the ideal gauge, and provide recommendations on choosing the right gauge metal for your filing needs.

What is Metal Gauge?

Metal gauge refers to the thickness of sheet metal. It is a standard unit of measure used to specify the thickness of metal sheets and plates. Gauge is denoted by ‘GA’, ‘G’ or ‘MSG’. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the metal. For example, 18 GA steel is thinner than 14 GA steel.

The gauge numbering system may seem counterintuitive at first, but there is logic behind it. It originates from the number of drawing operations or ‘passes’ required to reach the desired thickness. More passes result in a thinner sheet.

The most common gauge system used today is the U.S. Standard Gauge (USSG) for steel and stainless steel sheets. The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system is used for nonferrous metals like aluminum and copper.

Typical Metal Gauges Used in Filing Cabinets

Filing cabinets are predominantly made from steel for strength and durability. The most common gauge of steel used are:

• 16 Gauge – The minimum recommended gauge for standard home and office use. Provides decent durability at an economical price point.
• 14 Gauge – A lighter-duty gauge that strikes a balance between cost and sturdiness. Used in lower-cost or lighter weight filing cabinets.
• 12 Gauge – A medium gauge that offers good durability and strength for the price. Common choice for general office and commercial use.
• 10 Gauge – A heavy-duty commercial gauge steel that provides maximum sturdiness and security. Used in high-security applications. Adds significant weight.
• 8 Gauge – An extra-thick commercial gauge steel primarily used in bank vaults, prisons and other high-security facilities. Quite heavy and expensive.

While most filing cabinets are made of steel, some may use other metals:

• Aluminum – Lightweight filing cabinets for easy mobility. Not as strong or secure as steel.
• Stainless Steel – Very durable and corrosion resistant, but more expensive. Often used in hospitals and labs.

Factors That Determine Ideal Metal Gauge

There are several important factors to consider when determining the ideal metal gauge for your filing cabinet:

1. Usage Frequency

How frequently will you access the files? Occasional home users can get by with thinner 16 or 14 gauge steel. Busy offices accessing files daily should look for sturdier 12 to 10 gauge cabinets.

2. File Weight

What is the weight of your files? Standard letter paper weighs about 5 lbs per cubic foot. Bulkier files, binders and catalogs will require thicker and stronger steel.

3. Drawer Size

The overall size and dimensions of the filing cabinet can also affect the ideal gauge. Larger drawers that extend fully when opened will require thicker steel to support the weight without sagging.

4. Locking Mechanism

The type of locking mechanism impacts the needed durability. Basic key locks require moderate strength. More advanced interlocking drawers or digital locks demand greater structural reinforcement.

5. Fire Proofing

Fireproof filing cabinets are constructed using specialized multi-layered and insulating materials that increase weight. Sturdier steel gauges are needed to compensate.

6. Mobility

If you plan to frequently move the cabinet from room to room, opt for lighter aluminum or thinner steel to reduce weight.

7. Security Needs

For high security applications, choose thicker steel gauges (10 gauge and above) that can better withstand brute force attacks.

8. Budget

As you go up in steel gauge, costs rise significantly because of the added materials and thicker construction. Determine how much durability you need relative to your budget constraints.

By carefully weighing these factors, you can zero in on the ideal metal gauge for your specific filing needs. Let’s look at some recommendations…

Recommended Metal Gauges for Filing Cabinets

Here are the recommended minimum metal gauges for filing cabinets based on common usage scenarios:

Standard Home Use

For household filing of personal documents like bills, taxes, and records, 16 gauge steel provides sufficient durability if you occasionally access the files. Opt for a 14 gauge cabinet if planning to store heavier photo albums, books, or other dense items.

Home Office

Home offices accessing files more frequently should look for 14 gauge steel cabinets. Upgrade to 12 gauge if regularly storing heavy books, binders and inventory.

General Office Use

Most general office environments do well with 14 or 12 gauge steel cabinets. Opt for 12 gauge for frequent daily file access. For taller cabinets with larger drawers, upgrade to 10 gauge.

High Security Professional

Law firms, banks, hospitals and other professional offices dealing with highly sensitive files will benefit from investing in 10 gauge steel cabinets. These provide best resistance to unauthorized entry attempts.

Industrial/Warehouse

Businesses storing heavy tools, parts and dense inventory in their filing cabinets should look for extra sturdy 10 gauge steel or higher grade.

High Security Facilities

Only the thickest and strongest gauges like 8 gauge steel should be used in government facilities, prisons, evidence rooms and other mission critical high security settings.

Matching the appropriate metal gauge to your specific usage ensures you get maximum value from your filing cabinet investment.

Comparison of Metal Gauge Strength

To better understand the strength differences between metal gauges used in filing cabinets, here is a simple comparison:

• 16 Gauge – Can be dented by a firm kick or blow. Vulnerable to hand tools. Provides lowest level of security.
• 14 Gauge – Resists dents from kicks but not strong tools. Decorative front can be compromised if not reinforced.
• 12 Gauge – Withstands brute force attacks moderately. Solid construction for everyday office use.
• 10 Gauge – Highly resistant to break-in attempts using hammers and hand tools. Bendable only with great difficulty.
• 8 Gauge – Extremely rigid and resilient. Virtually impossible to compromise with anything short of power tools. Offers maximum document protection.

As you move up the gauge range, each increase in steel thickness provides an exponential boost in strength, durability, pry-resistance and security for the contents within.

Weight of Metal Gauge for Filing Cabinets

An important trade-off to consider with higher gauge metal in filing cabinets is increased weight. Here is the approximate weight per linear foot for common steel gauges:

• 16 Gauge – 2.0 lbs/ft
• 14 Gauge – 2.5 lbs/ft
• 12 Gauge – 3.1 lbs/ft
• 10 Gauge – 3.7 lbs/ft
• 8 Gauge – 4.5 lbs/ft

So a 4-drawer vertical filing cabinet built with 16 Gauge steel weighs roughly 100 lbs while the same cabinet in 10 Gauge steel tips the scales at over 150 lbs.

The heavier weight of thicker gauged metal makes the filing cabinet more stable and secure, but reduces mobility if needing to be moved frequently. Dollies and moving carts can help offset the added weight.

Other Factors Affecting Metal Gauge Selection

Beyond the points already outlined, here are some other considerations when choosing filing cabinet metal gauge:

• Environment – Will the filing cabinet be used indoors or outdoors? Outdoor filing cabinets require thicker steel to withstand weathering.
• Locks – More advanced lock types (e.g. biometric) require additional steel reinforcement to embed locking mechanism.
• Rails – Ball-bearing rails enable full drawer extension and require stronger thick-gauge steel for support.
• Drawer Slides – Steel or full-extension drawer slides also demand thicker gauge construction.
• Fire Rating – Fireproof cabinets have added layers and insulation that increases weight necessitating thicker gauge steel.
• Accessibility – ADA compliant cabinets with wider drawers for wheelchair access require sturdier steel in larger sizes.

Being mindful of these types of secondary factors will help guide your metal gauge selection.

Steel vs. Other Metals for Filing Cabinets

Steel reigns supreme as the metal of choice for filing cabinets. Here’s how steel stacks up against other metals:

Steel

• Most affordable option
• Sturdy yet lightweight
• Impact resistant
• Available in a wide range of thicknesses
• Welds easily for reinforced joints

Aluminum

• Very lightweight
• Not as strong or secure as steel
• Susceptible to dents and wear
• Typically limited to thinner gauges
• Works well for portable filing cabinets

Stainless Steel

• Extremely strong and durable
• Resistant to corrosion
• More expensive than mild steel
• Heavier than mild steel
• Used in specialized applications like labs

Steel provides the optimal balance of economical cost, structural integrity, weldability and weight savings in a filing cabinet design. Alternate metals have benefits in specific use cases but steel is ideal for the widest situations.

Reinforced Construction for Added Strength

Beyond choosing the optimum metal gauge, additional steps can be taken to enhance the strength of filing cabinets:

• Welded Joints – Welding the joints instead of simple fasteners creates a stronger unified frame.
• Reinforced Hinges – Several interlocking hinges distribute stress loads more evenly.
• Lipped Drawers – Lipped edges allow drawers to extend fully without binding or tipping.
• Interlocking Drawers – Adjacent drawers are connected to stabilize and share weight loading.
• Internal Braces – Strategically placed braces provide supplemental support.
• Closed Base – A closed versus open base lends extra stability and sturdiness.
• Tamper-Proof Design – Spot welds, concealed hinges and flush handles prevent prying.

Opting for a filing cabinet designed with these reinforced constructions techniques will enable thinner gauged steel to provide greater structural integrity.

Metal Gauge Recommendations Summary

As a quick recap, here are the recommended minimum metal gauges for filing cabinets based on usage:

• Standard home use – 16 or 14 gauge steel
• Home office – 14 or 12 gauge steel
• General office – 12 or 10 gauge steel
• High security office – 10 gauge steel
• Industrial/warehouse – 10 gauge steel or higher
• Maximum security facilities – 8 gauge steel

Matching the appropriate metal gauge to your needs ensures optimal filing cabinet durability, strength and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the most common questions about filing cabinet metal gauges:

What is the most common metal gauge for filing cabinets?

The 12 gauge steel is the most popular metal gauge used in standard office and commercial filing cabinets. It offers a good balance of affordability, durability and weight.

What gauge provides maximum security?

For highest security, 8 gauge steel offers the greatest resistance to unauthorized entry together with welded construction. Some facilities may opt for even thicker proprietary gauges.

Is 16 gauge steel OK for home use?

Yes, 16 gauge steel filing cabinets are sufficient for light home office and residential storage needs if accessed only occasionally. Upgrade to 14 gauge for frequent access.

Can thinner metal be reinforced for strength?

Yes, design techniques like welded joints, cross braces, interlocking drawers and reinforced hinges enable thinner metal gauges to be strengthened considerably.

Are thicker gauges better for fireproof cabinets?

Absolutely. The specialized construction of fireproof filing cabinets demands thicker gauge steel to support the additional weight and maintain structural stability.

Does gauge affect locking mechanisms?

Yes, advanced digital and biometric locking systems require steel of sufficient thickness to embed and attach the lock hardware securely.

Do suspension rails need thicker steel?

Suspension drawer rails or full extension slides put greater lateral stress on the metal frame, requiring thicker steels. 10 gauge and up is recommended.

Is stainless steel stronger than mild steel?

Stainless steel has greater ultimate tensile strength than mild steel. But mild steel is tougher and more ideal for filing cabinets due to weldability, weight and cost factors.

Conclusion

Determining the right gauge metal for your filing cabinet involves balancing durability needs with weight and cost considerations. Standard home and general office settings do well with economical 14 and 12 gauge steel. Heavy duty commercial applications call for thicker 10 gauge and higher metal. Maximum security facilities often utilize proprietary gauges exceeding 8 gauge in thickness. Welded construction and reinforced design can bolster thinner gauge metals considerably. By following the guidelines and recommendations in this article, you can select the ideal metal gauge for your specific filing needs. Your documents deserve the best protection possible and the right gauge filing cabinet delivers exactly that!