The Ins and Outs of Wooden File Cabinets

Although there are file cabinets out there to fit most any taste, there are times when a metal filing cabinet just doesn't won't match the decor. In these situations, many shoppers turn to wooden file cabinets as a possible alternative. Wooden filing cabinets offer the same functionality and storage as their metal counterparts, but provide a completely different approach to style and taste. A a material, wood offers a warm and inviting feeling that metal simply can't.

Like most metal cabinets, the wood cabinets are also available in both horizontal and vertical models. Most wood models also come in the typical 2,3 and 4 drawer configurations as well.

When considering wooden filing cabinets, it's important to have a clear understanding of the different types of wood along with an understanding of differences between terms like "wood covered", "wood laminate", and "wood veneer". To begin with, very few file cabinets are actually made of real wood from start to finish. There are two reasons for this:

• Cost - A file cabinet created completely from an expensive wood like oak or hickory would be very expensive. For this reason, most office furniture manufacturers use a form of particle board as the foundation of the cabinet, and then finish it in a wood veneer of some type like cherry, mahogany, or oak.
• Weight - The heavy weight of some of the denser woods also makes it difficult to use as a cabinet foundation.

While not every file cabinet manufacturer offers a wood version, many of the mainstream companies like HON and Basyx offer a fairly diverse wood line.