When you are trying to decide which wood file cabinet to buy, it can be helpful to consider your other existing office furniture and what your needs are. One made from oak could be a good choice, because this type of wood is normally very sturdy. It is usually best to avoid those cabinets that are made from particleboard, as these are usually of lesser quality. You should pay attention to how the filing cabinet is constructed, as there are several signs to look for that indicate a higher quality piece of furniture that is likely to last for many years.
A wood file cabinet can be made from many different types of lumber. Oak is generally considered the most durable type of wood for making file cabinets, but mahogany and cherry ones are very strong as well. A pine file cabinet can be very attractive, but is normally not as sturdy as those made of hardwoods are. Think about your other office furniture and then look for cabinets made with the same type of wood if possible.
Some cabinets may require you to assemble them, and these are typically very inexpensive models made from particleboard or plywood. This means they may not stand up to continued use or be able to hold heavy files. One of these types of file cabinets might work well for home use, but be impractical for a business to purchase. It can be smart to consider how and where you might use a wood file cabinet before purchasing one of these basic units.
One way to tell how well a wood file cabinet is made is to look for dovetail joints in all the drawers. These will be located in the corners of the drawers, and can be recognized by one edge that forms a sort of cap over top of the adjoining piece. It can be a good idea to open all the drawers and check the front and back of them in order to find out how these sections were assembled at the factory.
Some manufacturers use glue or staples to hold the back of the wood file cabinet in place. As a result, this piece may come loose if the drawers are opened and shut on a regular basis. It can be a good idea to look at the back of the filing cabinet in order to see if it is glued, stapled, or held together with tiny nails or screws. These can all be good indicators as to the quality of the craftsmanship, and how long the furniture is meant to last.