While Vertical File Cabinets and Lateral File Cabinets are the most common file cabinets in offices, they are not the most efficient filing cabinet type. Vertical and Lateral File Cabinets are common because they were invented years ago and are the “default” file cabinet. You cannot typically find more efficient filing cabinets images on computer aided design programs because newer, more efficient filing systems are not as well known by computer software designers or interior designers. Based on cost per filing inch, vertical file cabinets and lateral file cabinets are actually one of the most expensive ways to file. RefBPCH-0008
End Tab Filing, a more modern filing method, is much more efficient and less expensive.
Here is why:
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Vertical/Lateral File Cabinets
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End Tab File Cabinets
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Filing Levels – Maximum
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4 or 5
Drawers cannot be above eye level. You automatically loose storage area above eye level.
 You must be able to see over the top of a file drawer. |
6, 7 or 8
Proper labeling gives you file storage above eye level, automatically increasing the filing capacity per square foot.
 Making use of filing space above eye level |
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Depth of File Cabinet
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Typically 18” or 19” for lateral, 20” to 24” for vertical files.
The weight of the drawers when extended to access files limit the depth available for filing.
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Typically 12” to 14” for letter sized folders and 15” to 17” for legal sized folders. Depth is determined by the folder type; cuts floor space used.
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Space used by file drawer mechanism
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Drawer roller glides consume cabinet space; about 4” to 6” per drawer are used for in/out hardware. So a 42” wide lateral file typically has 36” to 38” of filing space per drawer.
 Notice the drawer glides take up storage space |
No drawers. Typically, about 2” per shelf is used for the sides of the cabinets. Thus a 42” end tab folder cabinet has 40 filing inches per shelf.
 No pull out drawers means no space taken by glides |
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Access to File in Drawers or on Shelves.
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Only one (1) drawer can be accessed at a time. The drawer needs to be fully closed before another drawer can be opened. Drawers extend into aisle space, reducing room for personnel passage and space to access files that might be positioned on the other side of the aisle.
 Only one drawer can be opened at a time. |
All shelves are accessible at the same time. Nothing extends into the aisle so less space is needed between units that are opposite one another.
 Access all files at once |
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Folder Efficiency
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Pendeflex style folders, often used as containers or holders for manila folder take filing space. Eight (8) Pendeflex style folders consume 1 filing inch. Plus Pendeflex folders cost about 90 cents each, adding to your cost of filing (compared to about 12 cents per manila folder). The plastic tab labels in hanging folder give you limited labeling space and there is no benefit from color-coding. Plus, when hanging folders get full and heavy, they sometimes fail.
 Hanging Style Folders Take Up Space
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End tab (side tab) folders do not need “holders”, no space is lost to folders holding folders.
Text labels use the entire folder edge giving you lots of space for folder identification including color-coding.
 Lots of Information on Color-Coded Labels |
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Office Floor Space Used
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4 Drawer Vertical File:15 Filing Inches/Sq. Foot
5 Drawer Vertical File:18 Filing Inches/Sq. Foot
5 Drawer Lateral File: 15 Filing Inches/Sq. Foot
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7 Shelf Cabinet: 25 Filing Inches/Sq. Foot
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 End / Side Tab Filing Gives You More Filing Per Square Foot |
To learn more about even more efficient filing systems, click here…
