Laboratory Wall Cabinet Style Selection Lab Wall Cabinets

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Laboratory Wall-Hung Cabinet or A Upper Wall Case * Select Door Style * Type and Material

What will you be stored in these cabinet?
Open shelves or open case style is acceptable for books or binders.
If you want doors, what style of door do you want?
What materials?
Plastic laminated wood cabinets or melamine?
Do you want old style wood "face frame" construction?
Do you want Europeon Style "frameless construction" which provides good value.
Do you want "Overlay Doors" or "flush" or "inset".
Do you want lipped doors?
Frameless is not lipped, do you need dust seals?
Dust is not usually an issue in modern labs, but adding dust seals is an option.

  • Cabinet Material Selection:

    1. Metal - Industrial, Medical, Flammables, Biosafety, Cleanrooms
    Where contamination is a concern.
    2. Plastic laminate - Lab Grade Select Appropriate Material see Wall Type.
    3. Wood for educationals, but where absorption of odor or contamination is a concern or if no sprinklers; do not use wood. Most industrial labs are not wood as wood does contribute to any fire.
    4. Plastic Polypropylene Casework and Hoods and Counters.
    5. Composites or Trespa good with acids or non metal labs.
    Non Metal Requirement, as it can contaminate test results, use 4. or 5.

    Type of Cabinet Door

  • Any wall cabinet can have glass doors added later.
  • A great way to renew a lab is with new doors.
  • Do you want framed glass doors that are hinged or sliding?
  • Unframed glass, can be sliding or hinged, too.
  • Sliding Doors do reduce net useable space so increase depth by 1 to 2 inches is advised.
  • Sliding Doors can have locks.
  • Remember interiors behind sliding doors are 1 to 2 inches smaller.
  • Check binders and sizes of other items to be stored in wall upper cases.
  • Doors can be solid and match or contract base cabinet doors.
  • Solid doors can be wood, laminated wood, metal flush or overlay.
    • Remember
  • Don't just fill wall space.
  • Complement the bench function.
  • No chemicals should be stored in wall upper wall cases.
  • Avoid using wall uppers for powders or liquids as a safety issue.
  • Wall Units in metal are available in standard sizes only.
  • Custom sizes in wood or laminate costs more than standard sizes.
  • Do not ask for wide doors as over 24 inch. in wood or laminate.
  • Large doors wood or laminated wood have potential for warpage, and sagging.
  • Large doors even with extra hinges will sag in time.
  • Depth of 11.5 to 16" is common, over 22" is not reasonable.
  • Over 22 inch may be more than wall's capable load.
  • Plan some floor cases for storage, these are typically 84" high.
  • Number of shelves (5) in tall cabinet.
  • One shelf is standard for a base cabinet.
  • Two Shelves in wall case over 24" high.
  • Select height or how tall units will be with access and safe reach in mind.
  • Wall cabinets are usually described width, depth, then height.
  • Example Wall 24 12 30 (single door size) hinged right or left.
  • See Wall Types for more on One Door or a Pair of Doors?
  • Avoid 9 and 12 inch wide wall cabinets as not good access or storage.
  • For narrow space, consider a slot for clipboard, folder or binder.
  • Consider doors for areas where earthquake is a concern.
  • Open shelf units, with lipped front are not as good as doors with latch.
  • Doors can be latched for safety or sliding doors are better.
  • Save cost with shelves on standards and brackets, but not for chemicals.
  • Shelves should be secured to brackets with a rest which should to secured with a screw.
  • Have what is called bookends on open shelves.
  • Standards and brackets made of many materials ask about options and cost.
  • Standards and braces come in standard, heavy duty, and industrial grade.
  • Know what you need and be sure you get it written on the order.
  • Industrial, Premium, Lab Grade is better than standard grade. To get the best product for your money, ask for brand, model, grade.
  • Shelves can be 3/4 or 1 inch thick.
  • Shelves fit braces of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 24 inch depth.
  • Shelves can be up to 8 foot long with no splice.
  • Wall standards come 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 foot high and spracing depends on load.
  • Usually do not exceed 36 inch on center.
  • Lipped front edge should be high enough so it will take some serious shaking for items to fall.
  • NEVER store anything on a lipped shelf that is hazardous.
  • Open shelving can cause spills while taking things off the shelf.
  • All hazardous material should be stored below counter in appropriate storage.
  • Typical height for wall cabinets is 30 inch.
  • Wall Cases even 48" get only 2 shelves standard.
  • Taller Storage Floor units get 5 or more adjustable shelves.
  • Do not use standards and shelf clips in wall uppers or bases.
  • Less money and better option is peg hole system rather than standards and clips.
  • Clips and standards are another thing that is hard to clean and adjust.
  • Add locks, label holder options, tackboard or markerboard doors.
  • Lift up doors are another option, often used in medical or tight space areas.
  • Do you need some shelves lined or need trays?.
  • All units can come with wire shelves.
  • Some units can have special lighting and can be set up as light boxes.
  • All units can have vents and can be set up to exhaust.
  • All units can be set up to have filters for all clean or control requirments.