How to choose industrial cabinets for your business
Choosing the right industrial cabinet can be a challenge. With so many options, finding the right fit for your facility isn’t just a purchase; it’s an important investment in safety, organization, and workflow. As America’s leading steel storage manufacturer since 1901, Lyon has spent over a century engineering durable solutions built to last. We wrote this guide for facility managers, procurement professionals, and workshop owners. Our goal is to help you make a confident, informed decision that helps you organize your workspace for years to come. Explore our complete collection of industrial cabinets to see how we put everything in its place so you can keep on working.
How to choose industrial cabinets
To choose the right industrial cabinet, assess what you’re storing (size, weight, special requirements), measure your available space, determine your security and access needs, select appropriate steel gauge and construction, and evaluate long-term durability and warranty coverage.
Why invest in a high-quality industrial cabinet? The core benefits
A well-chosen industrial storage cabinet is fundamental to a productive facility. Investing in a quality solution from Lyon offers real benefits that improve your daily operations.
- Better organization & efficiency: A place for everything means less time searching for tools and parts, and more time on productive tasks. You can configure specialized storage with features like modular drawers, which can condense the footprint of your small-part storage and improve inventory management.
- Increased safety & security: You can protect valuable tools, manage sensitive documents, and secure important equipment. Properly securing items not only prevents theft but also reduces workplace accidents caused by loose parts or clutter on the floor. Many of our cabinets have multi-point locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and protect your assets.
- Improved durability & longevity: Industrial-grade steel construction withstands the toughest environments. Unlike flimsy consumer-grade options, our cabinets are “Built to last,” a promise we back with Lyon’s warranty. This commitment to quality means you get a better return on your investment.
- Maximized floor space: An efficient workspace is a safe workspace. Our cabinets help you use vertical space effectively, allowing you to store more while keeping aisles and work areas clear of clutter and potential hazards.
A visual guide to industrial cabinet types
Choosing the right cabinet starts with understanding the different types available and the specific applications they are designed for.
All-welded heavy-duty storage cabinets
- Best for: Manufacturing facilities, tool cribs, maintenance shops, and demanding environments where maximum durability and high capacity are required to store heavy items.
- Key features: These functional cabinets feature 14-gauge all-welded steel, creating a strong and rigid assembly. They feature a secure 3-point locking system and adjustable shelves with an impressive capacity of up to 1,450 lbs each.
- Explore heavy-duty cabinets.
Bin storage cabinets
- Best for: Organizing small to medium-sized parts, fasteners, and supplies. They are a perfect fit for implementing lean manufacturing or 5S initiatives that demand quick and easy inventory access.
- Key features: Cabinets come with removable, durable plastic bins in various sizes. Pick racks on the doors and back of the cabinet allow for a flexible and customizable bin arrangement to suit your specific needs.
- See our bin storage cabinets.
Ventilated & clearview cabinets
- Best for: Ventilated cabinets are ideal for applications requiring airflow, such as storing employee uniforms, cleaning supplies, or items that need to dry. Clearview cabinets are designed for applications that require quick visual inventory without opening the doors.
- Key features: Ventilated models feature perforated doors for great airflow. Clearview models are fitted with shatter-resistant polycarbonate panels that provide excellent visibility while maintaining security.
- View our Ventilated Cabinets and Clearview Cabinets.
Office & commercial cabinets
- Best for: Storing supplies, records, and equipment in less demanding applications such as offices, schools, and healthcare facilities where functionality meets aesthetics.
- Key features: These cabinets have a clean design and include a durable powder coat paint. They include adjustable shelves and secure locking options to protect your assets.
- Browse our office cabinets.
How to choose industrial cabinets: a 5-step checklist
Follow this practical guide to choose the perfect storage solution for your workspace.
Step 1: Assess what you’re storing (the load)
- Size & shape: First, figure out what you need to store. Are you organizing small parts and fasteners, bulky boxes, or long, heavy tools? The physical dimensions of your inventory will decide the ideal cabinet and shelf size.
- Weight & capacity: Calculate the total weight of the items you plan to store on each shelf or in each bin. We recommend you select a cabinet with a capacity at least 25% higher than your current need. This allows for future growth and prevents overloading.
- Special requirements: Assess if your items have unique needs. Do they require protection from dust, need ventilation to prevent moisture buildup, or demand high-security storage? (Please note: Lyon steel cabinets are not designed for flammable material storage, which requires specialized safety cabinets).
Step 2: Measure your space (the footprint)
- Dimensions: Carefully measure the height, width, and depth of the area where the cabinet will be placed. Don’t forget to account for door swing clearance to ensure doors can open fully without obstruction.
- Mobility needs: Consider if the cabinet will be a stationary fixture or if you need a mobile solution. Many of our cabinets can be outfitted with durable casters to create a mobile workspace that can be moved easily around your facility. For moving fully-loaded cabinets, look for models built with forklift pockets at the base for safe and easy relocation.
Step 3: Define your security & access needs
- Locking mechanisms: The level of security you need will guide your choice of lock. Options range from standard keyed locks and padlock hasps. For maximum protection, a 3-point locking system secures the door at the top, center, and bottom.
- Visibility vs. security: Consider your access and inspection needs. Solid doors offer the highest level of security by keeping contents hidden. Clearview doors allow for quick visual checks, while ventilated doors provide essential airflow.
Step 4: What makes a high-quality industrial cabinet?
- Steel gauge explained: The thickness of the steel, or its gauge, is a primary indicator of durability. It’s simple: a lower gauge number means thicker, stronger steel. For example, 14-gauge steel is significantly stronger than 18-gauge steel. Lyon’s heavy-duty cabinets often use 14-gauge steel for doors and 16-gauge for the body, providing a balance of extreme durability and cost-effectiveness. The shelves are an even heavier gauge steel to support heavy loads.
- Construction: all-welded vs. bolt-together (assembled vs. unassembled):All-welded cabinets, like our heavy-duty line, arrive fully assembled and ready to use. This construction method offers maximum rigidity and strength right out of the box. Bolt-together cabinets offer more flexibility for shipping and navigating tight spaces. Lyon proudly offers products that ship both assembled and unassembled, and with our three centrally located US plants, we ensure fast shipping across the country.
- Paint & finish: We finish our cabinets with a durable powder coat paint. This high-quality finish resists scratches, chipping, and corrosion in indoor applications. Available in a variety of colors, the finish not only provides a professional appearance for years but can also be useful for color-coding departments or the types of items stored within.
Pro tips from Lyon’s storage solutions experts
Our team has helped thousands of customers improve their workspaces. Here are a few tips from The Lyon Solutions Team.
- Expert tip 1: “Maximize your vertical space.” Floor space is one of your most valuable assets. We recommend using taller cabinets to store items vertically. This simple strategy can dramatically increase your storage capacity without expanding your facility’s footprint.
- Expert tip 2: “Label everything.” It sounds simple, but it’s one of the most effective ways to boost efficiency. Use clear, consistent labels on all shelves and drawers. This eliminates guesswork and ensures anyone can find what they need quickly.
- Expert tip 4: “Perform a routine check.” A quality cabinet requires minimal upkeep, but a quick routine check helps guarantee long-lasting performance. Periodically inspect casters for debris, lubricate door hinges if needed, and test locking mechanisms to make sure they are functioning smoothly.
- smoothly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
When choosing industrial cabinets, it’s important to consider government standards. While Lyon isn’t a direct GSA-approved supplier, many of our cabinets meet or exceed GSA requirements, offering a reliable solution for your facility. We’re ready to help you find the right product to support your government application.
Our steel cabinets are finished with a durable powder coat paint designed for indoor use. We do not recommend them for outdoor applications or in very humid/damp environments where they would be exposed to the elements.
Industrial cabinets typically use heavier gauge steel (e.g., 12-16 gauge) and are built for demanding applications like warehouses and factories. Commercial cabinets (often 18-22 gauge) are designed for less demanding applications like offices and schools, balancing durability with aesthetics.
It’s a high-security mechanism that latches a door at three points: the top, bottom, and center. This system makes the door significantly harder to pry open than a standard single-point lock, offering much better protection for your valuable items.
An industrial cabinet is a heavy-duty steel storage unit designed for demanding environments such as factories, warehouses, and maintenance facilities, typically built with thicker gauge steel and higher load capacities than commercial cabinets.
Ready to organize your workspace? Lyon is here to help.
Choosing the right industrial cabinet is an important investment in your facility’s safety, efficiency, and future. With over 125 years of experience, quality steel, and a team of experts, Lyon is dedicated to providing storage solutions that stand the test of time. Let us help you put everything in its place.
Explore our full range of industrial cabinets and find the perfect storage solution for your needs.