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In recent years, the trend away from chalkboards and toward dry erase boards has gained momentum. You can use whiteboards to supplement meetings and lesson plans in the same way as chalkboards, but they don’t come with the same mess and health hazards associated with chalk dust. What type of whiteboard should you purchase? The answer depends on the purpose the board will serve and your company’s needs. Consider the following factors when selecting your new dry erase board.

What Type of Whiteboard Should I Get?

Melamine or plastic whiteboards can come with a nonmagnetic surface or steel backing that allows it to accept magnets. The primary benefit of melamine is its inexpensive cost, so if you are searching for a budget-friendly dry erase board, melamine is the way to go. Melamine is also lightweight, making it easy to mount and a good choice for home office use.

Porcelain or ceramic whiteboards are more expensive but offer greater durability and resistance to scratches and stains. Like melamine, porcelain boards are easy to write on and often magnetic. Still, because porcelain is less porous than melamine plastic, the surface of your board won’t succumb to what is commonly known as “ghosting.” Ghosting occurs when markers leave stains on your board that an eraser cannot easily wipe off. Although porcelain is more durable and easier to clean than melamine, it is also much heavier, so mounting may require more effort.

Glass whiteboards are the next step up, as they are not porous at all, which prevents unwanted ghosting and staining even more effectively than porcelain. Markers erase easily without smudging, so you can count on smooth, long-lasting use. Additionally, glass marker boards are often frameless, creating a truly eye-catching, modern look. Glass whiteboards can also be magnetic, but they can reflect a double image in poor lighting, which may make them difficult to read in some situations.

What Type of Room Is the Board Being Used in?

What type of room will this board be used in? What will the board’s intended purpose be? If you’re planning on using the whiteboard in a conference room where it will be used not only for writing but as a projection screen as well, be sure to purchase a board with a matte finish. Boards with a high-gloss finish will be difficult for meeting members to read, so invest in a board that will not produce too much glare. 

 

If you’re looking for something to enhance sessions in your training or classroom, then an interactive board may be just the thing. Interactive boards integrate your computer and projector into your whiteboard, creating a learning experience that is more likely to grab and retain attention. 

 

If you’re looking for a whiteboard to keep in your executive office, then an enclosed whiteboard may be more appropriate. Enclosed whiteboards come in cabinet form so that the whiteboard can be closed and concealed when not in use, maintaining a clean, professional look. The sides of an enclosed board are often equipped with additional whiteboard space or corkboard material for posting notes and relevant memos, which can also come in handy for busy executives.

 

Should I Get a Wall-Mounted or Freestanding Whiteboard?

Are you looking for a wall-mounted board that will remain in one room at all times, or do you need a mobile option you can easily transport from one boardroom to the next? 

 

Wall-mounted whiteboards are available in both framed and frameless versions, and framed versions can come with a metal frame or a wood frame that can match your existing furniture. Wall-mounted whiteboards ensure that your dry erase board is always right where you need it to be; however, if you have a more modern office, then you may be in favor of a mobile option. 

 

Mobile whiteboards can be easily taken from one room to the next, so you won’t need to equip every conference room and executive office with its own writing surface. You won’t need to worry about proper mounting, which can include making sure that the board fits your wall and is level. Mobile boards can also be used as partitions and room dividers in offices with more of an open floor plan. Best of all, many mobile boards also adjust in height to accommodate the needs of different users. 

 

When it comes to selecting the right whiteboard for your space, not every office is created equal. Different boards work better for offices, conference rooms, and training rooms, just as different types of chairs work better for reception areas, cubicles, and lounges. Take your budget, purpose, and room of use into consideration before making the decision to go with one marker board or the other.

 

Conference Rooms

More From NBF

The Benefits of Glass Marker Boards

The Benefits of Glass Marker Boards

Take a look at the marker board options on NBF.com—you may feel overwhelmed. What’s the difference? They’re all white, rectangular boards, right? Although they may all look alike, not all whiteboards are created equal. Glass marker boards have gained considerable popularity recently due to their ability to adapt to nearly any environment by providing the following benefits.

Style

The first and most obvious benefit glass marker boards offer is their high-style appearance. The sleek look of glass boards makes them an ideal addition to offices, lounges, and high-end restaurants. The surface of these whiteboards is attractive, and they typically don’t have the bulky frames common on most whiteboards. The frameless design gives off a seamless, modern appearance ideal for advertising and interior design use. Glass boards come in a wide range of colors, and you can also find them in both high gloss and matte finishes to suit your needs.

Durability

One of the more subtle but most impressive benefits of glass boards is their ability to withstand heavy use. This is especially beneficial in settings where whiteboards are a crucial part of everyday life for its users. Schools, for example, can burn through whiteboards within just a few years of purchasing them due to the frequency at which they are used. Because glass whiteboards are highly resistant to ghosting, meaning they do not easily streak or stain, you can be sure that you’ll be able to deliver clear and concise messages on yours for many years.

Cleanliness

Glass boards are a favorite among healthcare providers as they are much easier to clean than traditional whiteboards. Hospitals can be major breeding grounds for harmful bacteria, so medical furniture must be antimicrobial. Most whiteboards are made of a pressboard material coated in a glossy melamine top layer. Because these boards can be easily scratched and scraped, bacteria can get stuck in crevasses relatively easily, creating a huge problem in a healthcare setting. The reason glass boards are so much cleaner is that the surface is much tougher to scratch, so there is a far lesser chance of bacteria becoming trapped within dents and dings.

How to Design a Modern Waiting Room

Designing a modern waiting room can be daunting, no matter how small or large your space may be. After all, your reception area is often the first image guests will have of your organization, so making a positive impression in this room is vital. Here’s what you should add to your space if you want to achieve a truly modern look in your lobby.

Sleek and Simple Guest Seating

Make sure that your guest chairs aren’t too big or bulky. Traditional sofas and lounge chairs take up a lot of space in a room—instead, go with chairs with seats raised from the floor. This will give off a more modern appearance and even help make your waiting room appear larger. You can kick the style up a notch by choosing chairs with a metal framework.

Occasional Tables That Match Your Guest Seating

Match your tables to your guest chairs for a collected, well-coordinated appeal. Glass top tables give off an especially sleek and simple look, delivering the functionality of coffee and end tables without the bulky design elements that many traditional options tend to feature.

Statement Reception Desk

Because it’s likely the first thing visitors see when they enter your office, the reception desk should be the statement piece of your waiting room. Choose something large enough for staff to work comfortably, but make sure it’s proportionately sized to fit the space in your lobby. Additionally, you should select a desk with a transaction counter that will make it easy for guests to fill out paperwork while standing. You may also want to consider reception desks with ADA-compliant surfaces that can accommodate users in wheelchairs.

A Comfortable yet Stylish Receptionist Chair

It is far more important for your receptionists to be comfortable while they work than for you to equip them with chairs that look good, but it’s usually not too difficult to find task seating that accomplishes both of these feats. Select an ergonomic chair with multiple adjustments that can be easily switched up to accommodate different employees as shifts change throughout the day. This ensures your staff is comfortable while working since you can’t expect good work from uncomfortable employees. When it comes to the style factor, you may want to choose an ergonomic chair in sleek mesh or leather upholstery. Additionally, a chair with a white or chrome framework will be much more visually exciting than a chair that’s basic black.

Simple Artwork

Blank walls don’t make much of an impression, so dress them up in just the right way. Remember, less is more. You’ll want to make sure not to go overboard with your décor choices. Try adding framed or canvas artwork in a neutral or minimal color palette.

Functional but Interesting Coat Racks

You’ll need a place for guests to hang their coats and hats when they enter, so why not make that area just as stylish as the rest of the room? Coat racks in a modern style look great whether they’re being used or not.

An Elegant Floor Lamp

Even the most beautiful room is nothing without good lighting. Illuminate your reception area with a chrome or satin nickel floor lamp to light up the space. You can even use matching table lamps in the room for a well-coordinated look.

Cozy Accent Pillows

Adding pillows to the space will make your reception area feel a little more like home, which is often a welcoming feature for guests. This is also an excellent opportunity to bring in some color, which you may want to match to your wall art if possible.

 

Whiteboards That Won't Stain or Ghost

Tired of dry-erase boards that show the stains of every message it's held before? Whether in a classroom or a conference room, whiteboards help relay notes and bring ideas to life. When writing on the board becomes impossible to read due to ghosting, dents, and other damage, messages are lost, and communication falls through. The solution? Glass markerboards.

Stain- and Ghost-Free

Due to their nonporous construction, glass dry-erase boards are not susceptible to staining or ghosting the way melamine and porcelain whiteboards are. Even after a decade of use, you will not find any stains from previous meeting notes or lesson plans on these boards. Most glass boards come in different color options to make them easier to read from a distance, as the glass surface can be reflective, especially under fluorescent lighting.

Durable and Long-Lasting

Because the boards prevent ghosting and other common forms of wear and tear, such as dents and scratches, these markerboards can last for years—much longer than conventional whiteboards. While the cost of glass dry-erase boards is more than traditional melamine options, you'll save more money on glass boards in the long run because you won’t need to replace them nearly as often as those made of other materials that are more easily damaged.

Elegant and Modern

Not only are glass whiteboards durable and easy to clean, but they also give off a sleek, modern look that complements most conference rooms, training rooms, and higher education classrooms. The glass looks sleek and elegant; plus, glass boards are typically frameless, making them look like they are floating on the wall.

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