Classroom Furniture

In schools, offices and industry, the whiteboard, or dry erase board, has become an important tool for teaching and training processes. With the addition of computers to the classroom and office, chalk dust from the old chalkboards became troublesome to the keyboards, hard drives and monitors of computers, as well as to those people who suffered from allergies. Due to necessity and convenience, whiteboards are now a more popular alternative to chalk.

Now that you know the biggest advantage of having a whiteboard in your classroom or office, you probably have a few questions about whiteboards. We carry a whiteboard and dry erase boards for every need and every budget. Below we have put together a few helpful tips for making your whiteboard purchase successful. If you still have questions after you read our guide, please feel free to call us at (800) 761-8891. Our whiteboard experts are ready to help you!

What is the difference between Melamine and porcelain steel?

Whiteboards are primarily made out of two materials: melamine or porcelain steel. Each board has its advantages and you will find that one type may be a better fit for you than the other.

Melamine whiteboards are the most economical choice for those who plan only light to moderate use. These dry erase boards are best suited to cafeterias, meeting rooms, locker rooms and homes. They are made of hard plastic with a clear coat writing surface which makes them easy to write on and easy to erase; however, over time the clear coat writing surface will wear away creating the ghosting effect (an effect that looks as though residual markings exist after cleaning). If you are looking for an affordable dry erase board to use from time to time, the Melamine boards are your best choice.

Porcelain steel boards are a bit more expensive than Melamine, though their cost has gone down dramatically since their inception. Porcelain Steel boards are intended for moderate to high or long term usage. The porcelain construction is much less susceptible to ghosting effects. These whiteboards are manufactured with a steel background which allows for magnets to be applied to them. If you are looking for a dry erase board to use often, the porcelain steel style will be the best fit for the long run.

Which frame is better- aluminum or wood?

There are few differences between wood frames and aluminum frames, and in general neither frame is better than the other. Wood frames work well in office environments as they are more elegant, though they tend to be slightly more expensive. For those customers on a tighter budget, aluminum frames are just as sturdy and are available at a lower price.

We appreciate that you have taken some time to read our whiteboards buying guide and hope that it has been informative. If you still have some questions or something wasn’t clear, please feel free to call our toll free number (800) 761-8891. Our whiteboard specialists are waiting to help you!