Solid Wood Filing Cabinet

Chloe Hughes Interior Design Expert

Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.

Updated 09/05/2021

Filing cabinets are very important for those of us who are organized, who pay the bills, and who file the taxes. and do all of that with the efficiency required of them. And we prefer to do so in a filing cabinet befitting our labors. Enter the solid wood filing cabinet. Such a fetching place to store those important documents. Perhaps your home, and your important papers, could use a solid wood filing cabinet.

Buying Guide

Filing cabinets made of solid wood offer an attractive alternative to the usual metal options. Although wood is susceptible to scratches, the imperfections will simply add to their patina and overall character. In general, wooden filing cabinets are as durable and sturdy as their metal counterparts but they are only the ones that can create a cozy and warm office environment.

If you want to know how to make the right selection, then check out our buying guide below!

What type of storage should you look for in a filing cabinet?

To determine the best solid wood filing cabinet for you, assess the types of files that you need to store. Will the documents be rare and important? If so, then you’d want a cabinet that can offer the most protection against accidents. Look into a solid wood filing cabinet that’s resistant to water damage, impact, as well as other potential hazards.

If you’re in the medical field, you know that patient privacy is important. You, therefore, know that you need to invest in the best wooden file cabinet that can also offer a high level of security. Make sure the locking mechanism your chosen filing cabinet employs is top-notch.

It's also necessary to take into account the size of the files that you’ll be storing. Cabinets made of solid wood can store the standard paper size which is 8.5” X 11”. If you work in a law office, the legal size paper won’t fit inside regular filing cabinets, so make sure the one you get can accommodate larger documents. Also, any archival materials, canvases, and blueprints require flat file cabinets. If you need documents to be stored flat, then check for a model with large drawers.

How to ensure the security of documents in a solid wood filing cabinet?

There are various lock options for solid wood filing cabinets that you can choose from. Your most common options are sliding teeth and cam locks. They’re the standard with high-quality models and they require keys in order to gain access.

Cam locks make use of metal bars in securing the doors of filing cabinets in place. When a key is turned, a cam lock’s metal bar, which is added on the door’s interior, will rotate. The lock is easy to use. It can also be replaced.

As for the sliding teeth lock, it relies on a specific mechanism that’s located inside the cabinet. It's perfect if your cabinet incorporates glass with solid wood. When the door’s unlocked, the sliding section (controlled using a specific key) separates from the lock.

Although the two locks we just mentioned offer protection, you may want something that’s more sophisticated. If so then choose the filing cabinet that has an electronic lock that requires you to have a key code. You may find this rare as an e-lock is often added to a steel filing cabinet. If you happen to find one with this type of lock, then the e-codes from the lock will allow you to record and monitor those who accessed the filing cabinet.