garages101.com 07/2011 |
| Cabinets > Features > How To Buy > About Metal > Cabinets Brand > Comparisons garages101.com 775-851-9838 |
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| Steel Thickness Chart |
In two words, it is all about STEEL THICKNESS. Higher-end cabinet lines use thicker gauge
steel, lower-end cabinet lines use thinner gauge steel (Note - the higher the gauge number,
the thinner the steel).
Steel content accounts for the largest expense in the construction of a metal cabinet.
Manufacturers of high quality cabinets will always provide metal thickness information in the
product description or on the specification page. Manufacturers and vendors who do not
provide metal thickness information are most likely selling a thin wall, light-duty cabinet.
steel, lower-end cabinet lines use thinner gauge steel (Note - the higher the gauge number,
the thinner the steel).
Steel content accounts for the largest expense in the construction of a metal cabinet.
Manufacturers of high quality cabinets will always provide metal thickness information in the
product description or on the specification page. Manufacturers and vendors who do not
provide metal thickness information are most likely selling a thin wall, light-duty cabinet.
CHOOSE A CABINET SYSTEM THAT CAN BE WALL MOUNTED
Garage cabinets should typically be mounted 4"-6" above the floor. Whenever possible, always WALL MOUNT garage cabinets.
After installing hundreds of cabinets and systems, we prefer wall mounting for the following reasons:
Cabinets on adjustable legs is required when the mounting wall is constructed of steel studs (the screw thread grip on a steel stud
is insufficient to hold loads). Wall mounting is possible on concrete walls, however, holes must be drilled and expansion bolts
installed to safely hold loads. Walls constructed of hollow cinder blocks may require the use of adjustable cabinet legs.
CABINET LEGS - ADJUSTING LENGTH CAPACITY
For those individuals who choose to install a cabinet system on legs, the adjusting capacity of the cabinet legs is a critical
consideration in choosing a cabinet system. To maintain a constant level on adjacent cabinets; cabinets installed along the back
wall of the garage should have legs with an adjustable capacity of 2 inches. Cabinets installed along the walls that slope toward
the garage entrance may require legs with an adjustable range of 3-4 inches. We have encountered slopes that have exceeded 6
inches, but this is very unusual.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE - ALL STORAGE CABINETS TALLER THAN 60 INCHES NEED TO BE SECURELY FASTENED TO
THE WALL!
CABINETS WITH ROLLERS
With the exception of a rolling tool cart, there are few good reasons to purchase cabinets that are mounted on rollers. However,
there are many reasons why rollers can be bad idea.
CABINET BACKS
Choose a cabinet with a full back. This eliminates the possibility of small items falling from shelves and becoming lost behind the
cabinet. It also gives the cabinets a nicer finished look. Wall Mounted cabinets must have a high strength back or have mounting
accessories that can hold the cabinet and load weight.
FASTENING ADJACENT CABINETS
Most individuals will purchase cabinet systems where cabinets are placed adjacent to other units. Cabinets should be designed
for easy fastening of adjacent cabinets to one another. Bolting adjacent cabinets together adds extra strength and stability to a
cabinet system, and makes it easier to keep the cabinet face frames flush and maintain a constant level along the top and bottom
of the cabinets.
LOCKING TALL STORAGE CABINETS
Locking cabinet doors and drawers are a nice feature for individuals who wish to secure hazardous materials or dangerous tools
from children. If used in a vacation home, it allows the owner to secure personal property so guests and tenants are denied
access. Individuals who live in earthquake prone regions have an easy method for securing the cabinet door so contents will not
fall off shelves.
HINGES
Only choose cabinets which use 6-way Euro-Syle adjustable hinges. Most installed cabinets are going to be slightly out of level
and square. Garage walls are seldom plumb and the wall surfaces can be very uneven. Often the installer will need to make
slight compensations with each cabinet to maintain a constant level along the tops and bottoms of the cabinets. With 6-way
adjustable hinges, the installer can adjust the cabinet door panels so proper door alignment can be maintained.
All Euro-style hinges should have the self-closing feature (if not self closing, doors need a latch or magnets). Avoid inexpensive
piano hinges, butt hinges, or " L-shaped" spring hinges. These cabinet hinges will rust and have either no adjustment capability or
only an up/down adjustment direction.
DRAWER SLIDES
Quality cabinets will have a full extension drawer slide. The full extension slide allows the back of the drawer to extend beyond the
cabinet face. This gives the user full and easy access to all items in the drawer. Less expensive drawer slides leave the last 3-4
inches of the drawer inside the cabinet.
Heavy Duty cabinets will have a minimum drawer slide rating of 100 lbs per slide The higher the capacity rating, the greater load a
drawer can hold. More importantly, higher rated slides use better quality ball bearings and the user will experience a smoother
and easier pull under heavy loads.
WORK TOPS
Work tops are typically constructed of the following materials:
1) Laminate over particle board - The only advantage of using a laminate on particle or MDF board for a work top is its low
cost. Laminates are relatively soft and will scratch easily when using hand tools or making small repairs.
2) High Density Composite boards - These work tops can handle repairs and heavy duty use. The cost is about twice that
of laminates. High Density boards will show scratches and wear, and available finishes are typically unattractive.
3) Hardwood - Hardwood tops are usually constructed of laminated maple. Maple tops are expensive, but have a
beautiful finish when new. Hardwood tops can be used for nearly all heavy duty tasks except welding. The main problem
with hardwood is that it under even light use, it will quickly scratch and show wear. Solvents, grease, and oil will leave permanent
stains on a maple work top.
4) Stainless Steel - These work tops are constructed of sheets of stainless that are wrapped and welded
around a composite core. Stainless Steel wraps are less expensive than hardwood tops. The advantage of a
stainless steel top is that it can handle all of the heavy duty tasks, and still retain its attractive finish. Stainless Steel is
very hard, with a high resistance to scratching and is unaffected by water, grease, oil, or solvents. Stainless Steel can
be buffed and refinished to remove deep scratches.
Garage cabinets should typically be mounted 4"-6" above the floor. Whenever possible, always WALL MOUNT garage cabinets.
After installing hundreds of cabinets and systems, we prefer wall mounting for the following reasons:
- Cabinets have a more professional, finished look and eliminates leveling problems caused by sloping floor.
- Elevated wall mounted cabinets eliminate a nesting area for rodents and insects.
- Space underneath cabinets can be used to store long items such as lumber or a patio umbrella.
- Easier to retrieve items that roll underneath the cabinets.
- Easier to clean underneath the cabinets - there is no leg to accumulate dirt and debris.
- Lower unit cost - no legs required
Cabinets on adjustable legs is required when the mounting wall is constructed of steel studs (the screw thread grip on a steel stud
is insufficient to hold loads). Wall mounting is possible on concrete walls, however, holes must be drilled and expansion bolts
installed to safely hold loads. Walls constructed of hollow cinder blocks may require the use of adjustable cabinet legs.
CABINET LEGS - ADJUSTING LENGTH CAPACITY
For those individuals who choose to install a cabinet system on legs, the adjusting capacity of the cabinet legs is a critical
consideration in choosing a cabinet system. To maintain a constant level on adjacent cabinets; cabinets installed along the back
wall of the garage should have legs with an adjustable capacity of 2 inches. Cabinets installed along the walls that slope toward
the garage entrance may require legs with an adjustable range of 3-4 inches. We have encountered slopes that have exceeded 6
inches, but this is very unusual.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE - ALL STORAGE CABINETS TALLER THAN 60 INCHES NEED TO BE SECURELY FASTENED TO
THE WALL!
CABINETS WITH ROLLERS
With the exception of a rolling tool cart, there are few good reasons to purchase cabinets that are mounted on rollers. However,
there are many reasons why rollers can be bad idea.
- Garage floors are sloped. Cabinets placed along the back garage wall will tilt towards the front of the cabinet.
Cabinets along the side walls will tilt sideways and adjacent cabinets in a system will not maintain a constant level along the
top and bottom of the cabinets. - Garage floors are uneven. To maintain a stable cabinet it is likely that shims may be required under one or more rollers to
keep the cabinet from rocking during use. - Rollers even in the locked position still allow cabinet movement.
- Rollers make it more difficult if not impossible to position cabinets flush against the wall in garages with a
protruding stem wall. - In all but the largest garages, the best location for cabinets is fairly obvious. Few individuals will relocate their cabinets once
installed. - Dirt and debris will accumulate around cabinet rollers.
CABINET BACKS
Choose a cabinet with a full back. This eliminates the possibility of small items falling from shelves and becoming lost behind the
cabinet. It also gives the cabinets a nicer finished look. Wall Mounted cabinets must have a high strength back or have mounting
accessories that can hold the cabinet and load weight.
FASTENING ADJACENT CABINETS
Most individuals will purchase cabinet systems where cabinets are placed adjacent to other units. Cabinets should be designed
for easy fastening of adjacent cabinets to one another. Bolting adjacent cabinets together adds extra strength and stability to a
cabinet system, and makes it easier to keep the cabinet face frames flush and maintain a constant level along the top and bottom
of the cabinets.
LOCKING TALL STORAGE CABINETS
Locking cabinet doors and drawers are a nice feature for individuals who wish to secure hazardous materials or dangerous tools
from children. If used in a vacation home, it allows the owner to secure personal property so guests and tenants are denied
access. Individuals who live in earthquake prone regions have an easy method for securing the cabinet door so contents will not
fall off shelves.
HINGES
Only choose cabinets which use 6-way Euro-Syle adjustable hinges. Most installed cabinets are going to be slightly out of level
and square. Garage walls are seldom plumb and the wall surfaces can be very uneven. Often the installer will need to make
slight compensations with each cabinet to maintain a constant level along the tops and bottoms of the cabinets. With 6-way
adjustable hinges, the installer can adjust the cabinet door panels so proper door alignment can be maintained.
All Euro-style hinges should have the self-closing feature (if not self closing, doors need a latch or magnets). Avoid inexpensive
piano hinges, butt hinges, or " L-shaped" spring hinges. These cabinet hinges will rust and have either no adjustment capability or
only an up/down adjustment direction.
DRAWER SLIDES
Quality cabinets will have a full extension drawer slide. The full extension slide allows the back of the drawer to extend beyond the
cabinet face. This gives the user full and easy access to all items in the drawer. Less expensive drawer slides leave the last 3-4
inches of the drawer inside the cabinet.
Heavy Duty cabinets will have a minimum drawer slide rating of 100 lbs per slide The higher the capacity rating, the greater load a
drawer can hold. More importantly, higher rated slides use better quality ball bearings and the user will experience a smoother
and easier pull under heavy loads.
WORK TOPS
Work tops are typically constructed of the following materials:
1) Laminate over particle board - The only advantage of using a laminate on particle or MDF board for a work top is its low
cost. Laminates are relatively soft and will scratch easily when using hand tools or making small repairs.
2) High Density Composite boards - These work tops can handle repairs and heavy duty use. The cost is about twice that
of laminates. High Density boards will show scratches and wear, and available finishes are typically unattractive.
3) Hardwood - Hardwood tops are usually constructed of laminated maple. Maple tops are expensive, but have a
beautiful finish when new. Hardwood tops can be used for nearly all heavy duty tasks except welding. The main problem
with hardwood is that it under even light use, it will quickly scratch and show wear. Solvents, grease, and oil will leave permanent
stains on a maple work top.
4) Stainless Steel - These work tops are constructed of sheets of stainless that are wrapped and welded
around a composite core. Stainless Steel wraps are less expensive than hardwood tops. The advantage of a
stainless steel top is that it can handle all of the heavy duty tasks, and still retain its attractive finish. Stainless Steel is
very hard, with a high resistance to scratching and is unaffected by water, grease, oil, or solvents. Stainless Steel can
be buffed and refinished to remove deep scratches.
| How To Evaluate Steel Cabinets |
5655 Riggins Court
No. 20
Reno, NV 89502
No. 20
Reno, NV 89502
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