Resin vs. Steel Garage Cabinets

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Most garage cabinets are made of resin (a molded plastic) or steel. Neither is better in every garage. The right one depends on damp, what you store, how you mount it and whether you need to lock it.

Moisture and the floor

Garages get wet from snowmelt, car washing and humidity. Resin does not rust, which matters in a damp garage. Steel can rust where its coating is scratched or where it sits in water. Many steel cabinets stand on leveling feet that lift them off the floor; check whether the cabinet you compare has them. Our pages show the body material and finish only where the maker states them.

Weight ratings and their conditions

Do not assume a steel cabinet holds more than a resin one. Compare the stated ratings instead, and read them carefully:

A per-shelf rating and a total rating are different numbers. Compare each with its own kind.
Ratings often assume evenly spread weight, a fully assembled cabinet or a cabinet anchored to the wall.
Some makers give no rating at all. That shows as “Not listed”, which means the maker does not state it, not that the rating is zero.

Our guide to weight ratings explains how to compare them fairly.

Assembly

Resin cabinets often snap or screw together from panels. Steel cabinets may come welded or flat-packed with many fasteners. Check the maker’s assembly manual before you buy so you know the tools and time involved.

Locking

If you store chemicals, sharp tools or valuables, check whether the cabinet locks and how. Some have a keyed lock, some take a padlock and some do not lock at all. Our pages show whether a cabinet is lockable only where the maker says so.

Mounting

Floor cabinets in either material may need anchoring to the wall so they cannot tip. Wall cabinets must be fixed to a wall that can carry them, using the maker’s method. If you are unsure about your wall, ask a qualified professional. For more on depth and fit, read the planning guide.

Browse garage cabinets, freestanding cabinets or wall cabinets. We have not tested these products; everything we list comes from the makers’ documents.