To the Choice Office Furniture Community
To the Choice Office Furniture CommunityWith the concerns around COVID-19 evolving quickly…
Is there a difference between lateral and vertical storage systems?
Posted on by . Tags: Choice Office Furniture, Lateral Storage, Vertical Storage
The orientation of your files in a storage cabinet are important for access and the number of files you can store. Even though the difference in design between lateral and vertical storage systems may be small, the contrast in functionality it important to note. If your workplace deals with a lot of paper files, then careful selection of the storage system can save time filing and finding files in the future.
The main difference between lateral and vertical storage systems is the orientation of the folders inside the cabinet. Lateral storage systems arrange folders perpendicular to the front of the drawer. That makes the depth of a lateral storage cabinet around the same length of a standard storage folder.
Vertical storage systems arrange the folders on the same plane as the front of the drawer. The number of files you can keep in the drawer depends on how deep the cabinet is. And the width of a drawer is typically the width of a standard storage folder.
It’s a small difference, but the storage types differ in their accessibility and number of folders they can hold. Here are some tips in selecting a storage system.
Have lots of files? Consider a lateral filing system because they tend to be able to store more files.
Don’t access your files often? A vertical storage system is less accessible than a lateral filing system (since the drawers tend to hold less), but the vertical arrangement can save on floor space.
Organize by alphabetical? Some then prefer a vertical system since there is logical flow – front to back, top to bottom.
Small office? Both systems can work. Even though a vertical filing cabinet often takes up less floor space than a lateral system, the vertical cabinet requires more room in front to pull out and access files deep in the back. Thoughtful placement of lateral systems (such as under desks or to break up an open space) can provide functional storage.
Need many filing cabinets? We carry high-capacity storage systems that offer convenient access to files – excellent for medical or law offices. Here is an overview of our high-density storage options.