How to Choose the Right Steel Gauge for Industrial Storage Durability
When it comes to industrial storage solutions, durability isn’t optional—it’s essential. That’s why Strong Hold uses only American-made steel and builds products in varying steel gauges at our manufacturing headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
We deliberately use thicker steel for our cabinets because we know our customers don’t just use our products—they depend on them to protect valuable equipment and resources.
Whether you’re outfitting a heavy-duty manufacturing facility, an auto repair shop, or a pharmaceutical lab, selecting the right steel gauge makes all the difference in performance and longevity.
Understanding Steel Gauges
In terms of steel gauge measurements, a lower number means thicker steel. At Strong Hold, we primarily offer:
- 12-gauge (0.1046 inches / 2.66 mm)
- 14-gauge (0.0747 inches / 1.90 mm)
- 18-gauge (0.0478 inches / 1.21 mm)
Each thickness is suited to specific use cases. Here’s how to choose the right gauge for your storage needs:
12-Gauge Steel: Built for Extreme Heavy Duty Use
Best For:
- High-traffic, heavy industrial environments
- Facilities where impact resistance is critical
- Protecting expensive equipment and materials
Why It Works:
12-gauge steel is our thickest option for our storage cabinets. It’s designed to withstand anything—from dropped tools to collisions with forklifts. (If you hit one with a forklift, well, we’re sorry about your forklift.)
12-gauge steel is the ideal thickness for our storage cabinets as it can take the abuse, everyday use, and any mistreatment your team can throw at them.
Other Common Applications:
- Structural components
- Equipment frames
- Industrial and commercial building construction
14-Gauge Steel: Industrial-Grade Reliability
Best For:
- Shops with minimal forklift traffic
- Auto body shops
- Anywhere where you need security, but don’t require the extra strength and durability of extreme use
Why It Works:
14-gauge steel offers serious durability while remaining versatile. It’s a great option for many industrial storage applications where forklift collision risk is low, but your security needs remain high.
Other Common Applications:
- Light fixtures and framing
- CNC machining
- Fencing and erosion control
18-Gauge Steel: Lightweight Muscle
Best For:
- Schools
- Laboratories
- Pharmaceutical environments
Why It Works:
Even our lightest gauge goes toe-to-toe with competitors’ strongest (seriously, many of them offer 18-gauge steel as their thickest option). 18-gauge steel still delivers dependable performance and resists daily wear and tear.
Other Common Applications:
- Automotive body panels
- HVAC systems
- Home appliances
- Light construction work
Why Steel Gauge Matters
Selecting the right gauge for your storage needs matters in the same way that selecting the right tool for the job matters. Some might be overkill but get the job done, but others may not have the right amount of force, torque, or precision for what you need.
If you need rugged protection in a high-traffic area where collisions happen? Go with our 12-gauge steel solutions — built to take a hit and keep your valuables secure.
For less demanding environments where durability still matters, 14-gauge or 18-gauge steel delivers reliable strength without overbuilding.
Choosing the Right Steel Gauge
Ultimately, when determining which gauge is right for your storage needs, consider these three factors: environment, usage, and budget.
- Evaluate Your Environment – How tough is the setting where this storage will live?
- Understand the Use Case – What are you storing; how expensive is it, how durable is it, and how often will it be accessed?
- Consider Your Budget – Thicker steel costs more—but it also lasts longer and can reduce the risk of damage.
Still not sure which gauge is right for you? Our team is here to help, contact our customer service team using our contact form or directly at CS@strong-hold.com.
Why Strong Hold Only Uses American-Made Steel
Every Strong Hold cabinet, workstation, and locker is built to outperform—and outlast—the competition. Our use of thicker, U.S.-sourced steel isn’t just a point of pride. It’s a performance promise.
So, when your work demands the most rugged industrial storage solutions on the market, trust Strong Hold. We’ve got your back—and we back every product with a warranty too.
