What is the difference between 18-gauge and 20-gauge steel in a lateral file cabinet?

Steel gauge refers to thickness — 18-gauge steel is thicker (approximately 0.048") than 20-gauge steel (approximately 0.036"). A cabinet built with 18-gauge steel is heavier, more dent-resistant, and more rigid under load. 20-gauge is acceptable for light commercial use; 18-gauge is the standard for heavy-duty commercial lateral file cabinets. When in doubt, heavier is better for a piece of furniture you'll use every workday for 20+ years. FindOfficeFurniture.com carries commercial-gauge lateral file cabinets — call 888-719-4960 for the best deals.