Learning has now moved towards technology, and a range of electronic devices now make up a large portion of learning. There is however one element of learning that the digital age has not replaced. This is a classroom’s whiteboard.
Most people furnishing college, kindergarten, and schools assume that whiteboards are all the same. There are however different whiteboard types categorised according to their material and mounting options.
Choosing a mounting option for your classroom whiteboard is generally easy since the two main options are freestanding and wall-mounted boards. The material options for the boards are however varied and picking one requires considerable tact.
Here are some guidelines to ease your choice of the right material for your whiteboard.
Melamine
This is the cheapest material choice for whiteboards. Melamine is, however, a compound of different materials and might hence wear down faster than other whiteboard materials. It is also a porous material and might consequently result in ghosting of your markers’ inks.
The ghosting and limited durability can, fortunately, be fixed by regular conditioning and cleaning of the whiteboard. Melamine whiteboards are hence perfect for light use.
Porcelain
This is a white ceramic which is more resistant to dents, scratches and stains and longer lasting compared to melamine. It is a good option for heavy use since they have minimal maintenance needs and a minimal ghosting risk.
There are different recipes used in the manufacture of porcelain whiteboards, and hence the surface pores of the boards widely vary.
In general, a glossy whiteboard has few surface pores than one with a matte finish and will thus last longer without staining. Although costly, the features of porcelain whiteboards make them worth their price.
Hard Coat Laminate
This material is non-porous and will hence not allow the penetration of marker pen inks. This allows hard coat laminate boards to be cleaned with minimal risk of staining and less frequently than other whiteboards.
The primary drawback of these whiteboards is their high susceptibility to scratches. They are thus not usually used in applications where vandalism is an issue.
Glass
The type of glass used for whiteboards is tempered glass, which is safe since it does not break into shards. Though more expensive than other materials, glass whiteboards are longer lasting, have no risk of streaking or ghosting and come in varied colours and designs.
This makes them perfect for modern classrooms that are looking for an aesthetic appeal in their whiteboards. Some glass whiteboards are magnetic and can hence be used to hang different documents and have rounded edges for safety.
Before choosing the material for your whiteboard, you should ensure you have its right size. The appropriate size mainly depends on your classroom’s size. If you are worried the size will not fit your stairwells and doorways, you can have the board delivered in sections then connected using an H-channel.
While these are generally available in 24 feet widths, whiteboard sizes can be customised. With the right size and material for your classroom’s whiteboard, learning is sure to be fun and interactive.
