Resources

What’s in a frame? Would that which we call steel of any gauge hold up the same?

The thickness of a sheet of metal is measured in a unit known as its gauge. Unlike many forms of measurement, gauge is determined on a retrogressive scale, meaning that the higher the gauge, the thinner the sheet of metal. Thus, a sheet of 10-gauge steel is thicker than a sheet of 12-gauge steel, which is thicker than a sheet of 14-gauge steel. So what does that all mean? What gauge should you look for when shopping for your new metal desk or chair? It depends on whether you prioritize design and portability or durability.

Priority: Design and Portability

If you’re looking for a more artful design or if you need a desk that is lightweight enough to move around the office without much hassle, a product with a higher metal gauge is a better option. 

Desks and chairs made with 22- or 20-gauge steel will naturally be more lightweight than 14- or 12-gauge steel because they are made from thinner sheets of metal. In addition to affecting the product’s weight, thinner metal is more pliable, so metal furniture with more intricate details and design aspects is more likely to be constructed of a higher gauge of steel—a thinner sheet means the metal will have more give for the welder to mold.

Priority: Durability

Of course, the downside to the higher gauge steel is that it is not as durable as the lower gauge steel. Lower gauge steel is desirable when shopping for commercial furniture products like the ones we sell on NBF.com. Most commercial-grade office desks are constructed of 14- or 16-gauge steel. These products may be more difficult to move, but they are much sturdier and more able to withstand the rigorous daily wear and tear that an office, school, or healthcare setting often inflicts.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your comment has been sent.