Buying Guide · Gert Kantoor Meubels
Filing Cabinet Buying Guide
A filing cabinet is a twenty-year purchase pretending to be a boring one. Buy right and it outlives three office moves; buy wrong and you're fighting stuck drawers and broken locks within two. Here's what actually matters when choosing one.
2-drawer vs 4-drawer
A 4-drawer steel filer holds roughly double the files in the same floor footprint — floor space is usually scarcer than budget, so 4-drawer wins for dedicated filing. 2-drawer units earn their place beside or under desks, keeping active files within arm's reach. Most offices end up with both: 4-drawers in the records area, 2-drawers at the desks. See the options on our filing cabinets page.
Steel vs wood
Steel is the default for a reason: it doesn't warp, drawers run on metal slides that last decades, and locks are integral rather than fitted to a wooden panel that can be forced. Wood belongs in front offices where the cabinet is visible and needs to match the desks — our wooden filing pedestals do that job. In storerooms, registries and anywhere function beats form: steel, always.
Locks, keys and POPIA
The Protection of Personal Information Act makes securing records containing personal information a legal obligation, not a preference. HR files, client records, payroll — lockable storage is the baseline control. Check locks operate smoothly on any cabinet you buy (we test every used unit before sale), and keep the spare key somewhere that isn't the top drawer of the same cabinet.
Why used steel filers are a bargain
Steel filing cabinets are nearly impossible to wear out — which makes the used market irrationally cheap. A second-hand steel filer with working locks and smooth runners delivers the same decades of service as new at half the price or less. It's the single best value purchase in office furniture, and we usually hold bulk quantities for registry fit-outs.
The checklist before you buy
Measure the space including drawer-open depth (an open drawer needs about 60cm clearance). Confirm lock and keys. Test every drawer's runner. Count your current files and add a third for growth. Then WhatsApp us the spec — colour options, quantities and bulk pricing are all easier in a quick conversation than a catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much clearance does a filing cabinet need?
The cabinet's footprint plus roughly 60cm in front for the open drawer and the person using it. In tight rooms, position cabinets so drawers open into walkways, not against desks.
Are your used filing cabinets tested?
Yes — locks, keys and drawer runners are checked before any used cabinet is sold, and photos show the actual unit including any cosmetic marks.
Do you supply filing cabinets in bulk for registries?
Routinely — bulk 4-drawer orders for records rooms and registries get volume pricing, and we can calculate the cabinet count from your file volume.