They are no longer just for teachers. Walk into almost any office, school, factory, or home and chances are you'll find a whiteboard somewhere.
And it's no wonder. Dry-erase boards are so much more convenient than their chalkboard ancestors. Dry-erase markers make a lot less mess than chalk – in your room, on the floor, and on your hands. These tables can be cleaned weekly instead of daily. And you can choose different marker colors to make charts and other data more clear.
The variety of whiteboards is as diverse as the ways to use them. It can be hard to guess what size and weight you need, let alone other features. Let BestReviews help you find the best whiteboard for your space and budget. Read on to better understand what you need. When you're done, be sure to check out our recommendations for the best products on the market.
Cheap whiteboard construction, not cheap markers, is often responsible for damage to whiteboards.
key considerations
Since most whiteboards will be mounted to the wall, two of the most important factors to consider are the size and weight of the whiteboard.
Size
Dry-erase boards are designed to be seen, so make sure you get one that is large enough to easily read. At the same time, larger tables are more expensive, so you want to make sure you don't pay for more tables than you need.
Little:Dry-erase boards that are two feet by three feet or less should fit well in most home applications. If you are thinking of putting one in yourfridge, make sure it fits into the space available on the door. Very small portable erasable whiteboards are also available if you are in a field where it would be useful for individual use.
Average:Boards that are two to three feet tall and three to five feet wide should be large enough for mostdesksettings. Most office whiteboards don't need to be seen from afar. Most are used for notes to other employees, messages, and scheduling information.
Grande:White boards found in classrooms and meeting rooms are typically around five feet tall by six feet wide. This size provides enough space to write letters that can be easily read in a large room.
Weight
Although there are exceptions, in general, the bigger the slate, the more it weighs. When choosing a sign, be sure to consider how much weight the wall can support, whether or not the sign mount can support it.hardware, and how much help you will need to fix the frame to the wall.
Some of the high-quality whiteboards are made of glass and are very heavy. Other boards roll up when you're done using them and are much lighter. Consider the quality of the card you need and how often you expect to use it.
Did you know?
Whiteboard conditioners are slightly oily and help prevent greasy polymer ink from a marker from soaking into the slightly porous surface of the whiteboard and leaving ghost marks.
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whiteboard features
Now that you've chosen the whiteboard size you want, it's time to consider other features.
Material
Melamine:Some whiteboards are made of melamine, a type of resin-coated cardboard. Melamine dry-erase boards are usually the cheapest and lightest, but they wear out faster than other surfaces. Markers can leave residual surface marks called ghosts, so a melamine top may require more cleaning and conditioning than a top made from other materials. Melamine boards are good if you need to keep a whiteboard handy but don't need to use it often.
Porcelain:Ceramic whiteboards typically have many layers, making them more resistant to ghosting, dents, and scratches in the material. They also need less cleaning. Porcelain tiles are better than melamine tiles for high-use areas, although they are more expensive and heavier.
Vaso:High-quality and more expensive whiteboards are made of glass. These come in a variety of colors or no color at all. You can use many types of drawing media on them, and the markers won't leave ghost marks or streaks. Glass is also easy to clean. Glass panels can be mounted to a colored wall to add style and visibility and add a contemporary feel to the office.
Other:The advantages and disadvantages of other proprietary whiteboard surfaces vary by manufacturer.
Magnetism
Not all whiteboards are magnetic. Melamine boards are not magnetic unless placed on a magnetic backing. Porcelain plates fired on a steel stand are magnetic. Glass plates are magnetic only if they have been treated with a special support. Consider whether you'll need this feature when you shop, because it's not one that can be easily changed after the fact.
special marks
Some people need whiteboards with specific markings, such as sheet music, days of the week, calendar outlines, grids, or other special features. These brands are available in a variety of materials, so consider your other needs when choosing your type of plate. People looking for special brand nameplates often plan to use them frequently for a specific application; therefore, it may be worth the investment to skip the melamine tabletop and look for a porcelain tabletop or one made from a proprietary material.
Stay
To get around wall mounting limitations, some whiteboards come with brackets. saves you fromdrillingHoles in the wall and having to calculate weight limits. A stand also makes it easy to place the board wherever you want. However, a board on a stand takes up more space than a wall-mounted board, and supports for large boards are not easy to move.
chalkboard prices
Cheap:Small whiteboards for household use less than 60 cm longless than $25. They are usually made of melamine or another coating painted on a magnetic backing. At that price, the surface is likely to be of poor quality and subject to ghosting or damage relatively quickly.
average range:Most of these slates are at least four feet long and costUS$ 30 a US$ 60. Most hobs in this price range are made from porcelain or proprietary materials. Most should be magnetic and come with a marker tray. They may also have coatings to protect them from damage.
Caro:High-quality frames can cost$80 or more. These plates are made of glass, high-quality porcelain, or a proprietary material. They should be magnetic unless made of bottomless glass and treated to protect against damage if not made of glass. Large, fancy frames can cost several hundred dollars depending on size and customization, so make sure you have a clear idea of your needs to avoid overpaying.
Careful
Many dry erase markers have a strong odor. If you have allergies or are sensitive to chemicals and perfumes, try looking for low-odor markers.
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tips
- Use the correct markers.You'll want to use dry-erase markers on melamine and porcelain tabletops, but wet-erase markers, which use a water-soluble paste, may work better on glass tabletops. You cannot remove the wet erase marker with a dry eraser, but it can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth.
- Try magnetic markers with a magnetic whiteboard.Some dry erase markers come with magnetic caps so they can easily stick to a magnetic whiteboard.
- Consider all factors, not just price.Between cleaning products and more frequent replacements, a cheap board can cost more in the long run than a more expensive board.
- Look for a table with capped corners.You can avoid injuries caused by sharp edges.
Dry-erase boards with a high-gloss finish may look attractive up close, but glare can make them difficult to read from a distance.
Frequent questions
Q. How long should a whiteboard last?
A.When it comes to whiteboards, you get what you pay for. Inexpensive melamine boards will probably last anywhere from one to five years before spoiling or spoiling so badly that they become impractical. Many mid-range motherboards have a ten-year warranty, so expect them to last at least that long. Properly made glass dry erase boards can last for several decades.
Q. How should I clean my whiteboard? Do I need a special cleaner?
A.Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the board once a week with an eraser and then with a soft, lint-free cloth. If your whiteboard is melamine, you should also clean it weekly with a whiteboard cleaner and conditioner. Consider similar precautions for preserving a china plate, although it's not as important. Many manufacturers create proprietary products that clean and condition a board to maintain a clean, smooth surface. You should never use common bathroom, kitchen, or alcohol-based cleaners (except to remove permanent markers), as they can break down the surface of the board. Thick paper towels or toilet paper can also damage the surface. Glass plates can be simply cleaned with a standard glass cleaner.
Q. Is it possible to remove permanent marker from a whiteboard?
A.It's a mistake most of us make: accidentally picking up the wrong kind of marker and scribbling. If you catch the bug quickly, there is hope. Some say writing over the marks with a fresh marker and wiping them off with a whiteboard eraser can help. Others advise that you wipe the writing with a paper towel or cloth dipped in alcohol, hand sanitizer, or non-acetone hand sanitizer.nail polish remover. Make sure neither the cleaner nor the cloth is dirty, or you could permanently damage the dash.