Whiteboard Surfaces: Which One is Best for You?

Whiteboards have become very popular and can be found in offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, and even kitchens. These boards are similar to chalkboards in that they give you a vertical surface on which to write. They can be easier to clean than a regular chalkboards and, best of all, you don't have to deal with the horrible shrieking noise that can occur when trying to write with chalk. They even come in different sizes so you can find one that's just perfect for your surroundings.

If you're thinking about getting a whiteboard, you're going to have to make a big decision: which kind of surface you're going to want. Most of the boards you can buy either have a melamine or porcelain surface and each type is good for different needs. Let's look at them.

• Melamine. This surface consists of paper that's been paired with resin so it makes sense that boards made with this material would be fairly inexpensive. That's the main attraction with melamine. That and these types of whiteboards are extremely easy to come by. They're a great choice if you want to save money or if you need to procure a lot of boards quickly. However, there are a couple of problems with them. For one, melamine scratches really easily and it's non-magnetic. You'll also find that melamine stains and ghosts easily, and that your board will be more or less ruined if you use a permanent marker on it. (The ink can never be fully erased.) Thus, melamine whiteboards aren't ideal if you want something for the long haul.

• Porcelain. Porcelain can be an expensive material, but it's worth it if you can afford it and if you want a durable whiteboard. Boards made with this substance look great and will stay that way because they can't be scratched easily. Since porcelain is basically ceramic, this material is easy to clean and it won't become stained. Also, porcelain is magnetic so you can attach documents to the board easily. Best of all, porcelain boards usually come with lifetime warranties and are perfect for areas in which a high-quality surface is needed, such as conference rooms and university classrooms. These products do come at a price though, so they're less than ideal if you're sticking to a small budget.

If neither of these surface types work for you, there are whiteboards with aluminum and hardcoat laminate surfaces. You should check them out to see if they'd better suit your needs.

Choosing between melamine and porcelain whiteboards can be difficult, but you'll need to weigh your budget against what you absolutely need in a board. Melamine boards are good for casual use over the short term and if you'd rather not shell out a lot of money at the moment. Porcelain whiteboards are more durable and will stay in great shape, but they're a bit pricey. (And, of course, there are other options available.) Choose carefully when selecting your whiteboard so you wind up with the one that's right for you.

About the Author: Jeff McRitchie is the Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com. He regularly writes articles, reviews, and blog posts on topics related to bookbinding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment. More than 2,500 of his articles have been published in thousands of locations on the Internet. If you're looking for information about whiteboards his articles are a great place to start.