OK, so you quite like the look of wooden filing cabinets. It is true they are far more attractive than metal ones, and there is nothing wrong with buying a wooden filing cabinet if you know what you are looking for.
While the exterior of one may look pretty much the same as another it's often what is going on inside that counts. Wooden filing cabinets come under a lot of strain, more so than wooden cupboards, and it's crucial to buy one that has been made properly. Recently I was horrified to see a company (who shall remain un-named) offering wooden filing cabinets with HARDBOARD backs and backs.
Considering these two panels are critical to the structure of the unit, it's shocking to see flimsy hardboard being used as part of the chassis of such units. It seems in the quest for ever cheaper products there are now companies who are perfectly well prepared to cut corners on quality. I am going to state this here and I hope those of you toying with the idea of buying wooden filing cabinets with hardboard panels head this warning - don't!
These cheap imported office storage units may save you 20 quid, but they are garbage. Make sure MDF board is being used for EVERY panel on filing cabinets you are buying.
I would also recommend getting a filing cabinet with adjustable feet. Why? Well this will be something many people are not aware of, but many office floor actually slope downwards slightly towards the middle of the office. Did you know that? Bet you didn't! Anyway, what happens in these office often is that the drawers on filing cabinets sometimes have an alarming tendency to open themselves! Adjustable feet mean you can tilt the balance so they close themselves instead. It's a point many overlook, but quite a noteworthy one.
Once again the message is to steer well clear of poor quality, cheap junk and buy from established office furniture dealerships.