Most lateral files are made of metal or wood. Although it is the metal lateral file cabinet that is used the most in offices. The lateral filing cabinet made of wood is usually used in homes or small offices. Almost all lateral file cabinets are 20 inch deep manufactured in widths of 30, 36 and 42 inches and with two, three, four or five drawers. Big offices, schools, colleges, hospitals prefer using a lateral file cabinet that contains the maximum number of drawers.

Lateral files occupy less space than vertical files. Also, files in a lateral filing cabinet can be placed side by side, front to back as well as horizontally. A lateral file cabinet is not very deep. Hence all the files placed in it are easily accessible. Most lateral files have a counterbalance feature preventing the cabinet to fall in case more than one drawer is opened at the same time. But in tall lateral file cabinets an additional safety feature is added so that only one drawer can be opened at a time thus preventing any type of injury or accident.

All the lateral files have double-walled, reinforced construction that ensures the cabinet stays still and firm when used making them sturdy and durable. Also, the lateral file cabinets have steel ball bearings that make opening and closing of drawers easy and convenient. Tall lateral files have flip open drawers that open downwards so that the person need not climb up to get something and can also find the files that are kept deep down without any problem. There are lateral files that have receding doors with full extension slides and safety lock with top flipper door that recedes into the cabinet with a roll-out shelf.

Lateral files can hold a large number and volume of papers, records and documents. Also the structures of lateral file cabinets are such that occupy less space hence they are preferred by offices. There are lateral filing cabinets that are fire proof. The offices that are very small use lateral files with two drawers. Legal size letters and documents can be stored conveniently in a lateral file cabinet.