Shallow depth filing cabinet

Types of Shallow Depth Filing Cabinet

A shallow depth filing cabinet is a storage box for documents with a depth of fewer than 24 inches. Some may even measure 18 or 20 inches in depth. It is designed to store and organize documents in an office or workspace. It comes in different sizes, styles, and configurations. The following are some types of filing cabinets that are considered shallow in depth:

• Vertical Filing Cabinet

  It is a traditional filing cabinet that is organized in a vertical manner. The drawers are stacked on top of each other. Each drawer has a pull-out mechanism to access the files easily. This cabinet is suitable for small offices that need to store documents. The drawers can be shallow, medium, or deep, depending on the files' size and load. The cabinet is space efficient and uses a deposit of 24 inches or less. It is also versatile because it can be made from different materials like wood or metal.

• Locking File Cabinet

  These cabinets are built with security in mind. They have locking drawers or units to keep files safe from unauthorized access. The locking mechanism can be a key-based lock or electronic keypad. It is commonly used in legal or medical practices that need confidential file storage. The cabinet's construction is usually heavy gauge steel. Some may even have anti-tip protection to make them safer.

• Drawer Chest

  This is a multi-purpose storage box for documents. It has a chest-like design with multiple drawers. Each drawer can have an extension rail to store files or other items. The drawer chest is flexible because it can store files, art supplies, or office accessories. It is also space efficient, so it is good for offices with limited space. Besides, it usually has a countertop where users can put other items or even decorative pieces.

• Lateral Filing Cabinet

  This cabinet organizes files laterally in drawers. It has a wide drawer front that makes it easy to see and access multiple files with hanging folders. The drawers glide smoothly on tracks. This cabinet is suitable for offices that store legal-size documents. It uses space efficiently and deposits of fewer than 24 inches in depth. It is also versatile and can be two, three, or four drawers.

• Mobile File Cabinet

  It is a small cabinet that is mobile. It has casters that allow it to move around easily. The cabinet is designed to fit under a desk or work area. It is suitable for individual workstations. It provides easy access to files when needed. The mobile cabinet is usually made of steel or high-quality wood. It can have one to three drawers and store files of different sizes. Some will have locks for security, and others will have a pen tray to store small items.

Functions and Features of Shallow Depth Filing Cabinet

Shallow filing cabinets are important in any office for safe document storage. They come in different designs, materials, and colors. Here are the main features of a shallow depth filing cabinet with drawers.

• Drawer

  The shallow filing cabinet with drawers has one or more drawers. These drawers provide storage space for files and documents. They have rails and tabs to hold hanging files and documents. The drawer space can hold legal or letter-sized files and documents. It depends on the model. The drawers also have locks to secure documents and files that need high confidentiality.

• Cabinet frame

  The cabinet frame is the main structure. It supports the entire filing cabinet and drawers. The frame holds the drawers and keeps them stable. It is made of metal or wood. The cabinet frame has a finish that improves aesthetics. For example, powder coating or natural wood finish.

• Drawer handles

  These handles provide easy access to the drawers. They allow users to open and close the drawers easily. Some handles have locks that secure the drawer when it is closed. The drawer handles can be customized to fit the office style.

• Drawer glides

  The glides are tracks that connect the drawer to the frame. They allow the drawer to move smoothly when opening or closing. The glides support the weight of the drawer and its content. There are ball-bearing slides that offer quiet and effortless movement. There are also telescopic slides that extend fully to increase accessibility.

• Top surface

  The top surface is part of the shallow filing cabinet. It is used for different purposes. For example, some cabinets can be used as a printer stand. Users can place a printer on top of the cabinet. Some people use the top surface to display decorative items. Others use it to store office supplies like books and magazines. The top surface can have a smooth finish with padding for protection against scratches.

• Lock and key or electronic lock

  The shallow depth filing cabinet with locks and keys provides access control to the drawers. They ensure that only authorized persons can access the contents of the drawer. Electronic locks use keypads or biometric scanners to secure drawers.

• Levelers

  These are small adjustable feet. They are located at the bottom of the cabinet. They help to stabilize and balance the cabinet on uneven surfaces. Levelers also protect the floor from damage. For example, they prevent scratches and indentations.

Scenarios of Shallow Depth Filing Cabinet

There are various applications of a shallow-depth filing cabinet. These are:

• Home office: The cabinet is an essential storage device for work documents. It stores and organizes files for easy access. The shallow drawers eliminate the need to stack files in a single drawer, creating separate spaces for each file.
• Documents and receipts: A filing cabinet helps to store tax documents, invoices, and receipts organized. It is easy to sort and categorize the documents based on their types or dates. The shallow drawers provide space to store hanging file folders that separate documents and prevent them from sticking together.
• Small businesses: Shallow cabinets are suitable for businesses with limited office space. They provide essential storage space for contracts, employee files, and client information. The compact design of the cabinet saves office space and provides a professional filing solution.
• Limited space areas: The cabinet is suitable for small offices, reception areas, and cubicles. It occupies little space and can be placed on desks or under counters. It is easy to move from one place to another due to its lightweight nature.
• Digital businesses: Even businesses that primarily operate digitally need to file documents physically. A filing cabinet is an essential tool for storing hard copies of legal documents, business licenses, and contracts. The cabinet ensures that files are readily available for reference when needed.
• Mobile office: Professionals who work in different locations, such as consultants and sales representatives, can use a shallow filing cabinet. It keeps documents organized when traveling and provides a portable filing solution.
• Archiving: A shallow-depth filing cabinet is an essential tool for archiving documents. It stores infrequently used files like tax returns and old contracts. The organization of the cabinet frees up office space and ensures files are in good condition.
• Artwork storage: Artists can use shallow filing cabinets to store artwork. The thin drawers provide a space to store prints, sketches, and small paintings. The cabinet organizes the artwork and prevents them from wrinkling or folding. It eliminates the need to lean or hang artwork, which can cause damage.
• Presentation materials: Professionals can use shallow filing cabinets to store and organize presentation materials. It stores brochures, charts, maps, and handouts. The filing cabinet enables easy access to these materials when making presentations.
• Office supplies: A filing cabinet can double up as a storage space for office supplies. It can store small items like pens, notepads, and sticky notes. The shallow drawers organize the supplies and free up space on the desk.

How to choose a shallow depth filing cabinet

• Size and Dimensions

  This is an important factor to consider when choosing a cabinet. Consider the size of the office space and the documents that need to be stored. A small office may require a smaller cabinet that will fit in tight spaces. Also, if there are large documents that need to be stored, then a bigger cabinet that can accommodate such documents would be ideal.

• Material

  The material from which the cabinet is made affects its durability. Filing cabinets come in different materials like wood, metal, and plastic. A wooden cabinet is more suitable for an office that requires a classic look and feel. A metal filing cabinet is perfect for those who want something that is more durable and can withstand damage. It is also easier to maintain as it only requires cleaning by use of a damp cloth. A plastic filing cabinet, on the other hand, is lightweight and easy to move around. It is also resistant to rust and moisture.

• Locking Mechanism

  The locking mechanism is very important when it comes to protecting confidential documents. Consider cabinets that have advanced locking mechanisms like electronic locks or combination locks. These locking mechanisms provide more security than the standard ones.

• Drawer Capacity and Weight Limit

  Each drawer in a filing cabinet has a weight limit. It is important to know this limit so as not to exceed it. Exceeding the weight limit can damage the drawers and even the files inside. Consider the documents to be stored and their weight. Choose a filing cabinet with drawers that have the capacity to hold the weight of the documents.

• Mobility

  Sometimes it may be necessary to move the filing cabinet from one place to another. In such instances, consider choosing a cabinet that is portable and easy to move around. Such cabinets are fitted with wheels that make it easy to move when there is the need to relocate.

• Ease of Assembly

  Some filing cabinets require assembly once they are purchased. When this is the case, consider selecting a cabinet that can be easily assembled without any challenges. Also, choose a cabinet that comes with clear instructions on how to assemble it.

Shallow Depth Filing Cabinet Q&A

Q1: What is the primary purpose of a filing cabinet?

A1: The main purpose of a filing cabinet is to securely store documents and files. It provides organization and easy access to important paperwork, protecting them from damage or disarray.

Q2: What are the types of filing cabinets?

A2: There are several types of filing cabinets, including vertical cabinets that store files in an upright position, horizontal or lateral cabinets for files stored side by side, legal size cabinets designed to hold larger documents, and fireproof cabinets that offer protection against fire hazards. Other types include metal cabinets for durability, wood cabinets for a classic look, commercial-grade filing cabinets for heavy-duty use, and compact or space-saving cabinets when space is limited.

Q3: What is a 2 drawer filing cabinet?

A3: A 2-drawer filing cabinet is a storage unit with two drawers for organizing and storing files. It is often used in offices to keep documents in an orderly manner. The two-drawer design makes it more compact than units with three or more drawers, and it is suitable for storing documents that do not require a large amount of vertical space. Two-drawer filing cabinets can come in vertical or lateral filing configurations.

Q4: What is the difference between a legal and a letter filing cabinet?

A4: Legal and letter filing cabinets differ primarily in the size and orientation of the files they hold. Legal filing cabinets are specifically designed to accommodate legal-sized documents, which measure 8.5 x 14 inches. These documents often need to be filed in a way that prevents folding or creasing. Letter filing cabinets, on the other hand, are intended for letter-sized documents, which measure 8.5 x 11 inches. These sizes reflect the typical paper used in many offices for everyday correspondence and document storage. As such, a legal size file cabinet will be shallower than a letter size cabinet but with more depth. The two sizes are not interchangeable, as each cabinet is built to support specific dimensions.