Whiteboard Buying Guide: Types, Sizes, Cost and How Your Organization Can Benefit From One

If you’re looking to invest in a new whiteboard or penboard, and find you’re a little short on information, we have put together a handy guide that contains everything you need. 

What is a Whiteboard and what are they made out of? 

The visual aid provided by whiteboards helps us learn, organise and share from a very young age. They form a staple part of classrooms, lecture halls, business meetings, or even our office at home.  

A whiteboard can be made from a number of materials, but most commonly it will be either melamine, painted or enamelled steel, aluminium, porcelain or glass.  

Enamelled steel or porcelain 

Enamelled steel has been a popular choice since the 1960s and is designed for heavy-duty use. You will often find them in schools or universities, where presenting to a big class makes size a necessity.  

Enamelled steel or porcelain boards have a steel core and a three-layer surface. The core is usually solid steel or mesh, the writing surface is made of a combination of cobalt, nickel and glass, and the second layer is a substrate, coated with a moisture barrier.  

This makes porcelain boards magnetic, giving them extra protection against scratching, permanent markers or dry erase ink. 

Melamine 

Melamine is a type of plastic polymer combined with a variety of base materials. They are the most common type of whiteboard, but the quality available can vary greatly. Generally, they are less durable than steel or aluminium boards so are not a good fit for professional environments or heavy-duty use.  

Painted aluminium and steel 

These two are in the same category due to having very similar production processes. Both have smoother surfaces and are easy to maintain, but aluminium boards are both lighter and more expensive.  

Steel boards are more popular, due to the fact that they’re cheaper and magnetic. They’re most commonly used as information boards in hospitals, tracking boards, and tournament boards. We will go into more detail on the benefits of a magnetic board further on in the article.  

Melamine vs porcelain vs glass whiteboards 

Each material has different pros and cons. Melamine’s main pro is that it’s economical and inexpensive. It’s made from cheaper material, but you’ll find its less durable and at risk of the markers ghosting. Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep the board in good condition for longer.  

Porcelain boards feature longer-lasting layers and are great for heavy-duty use because they require less cleaning and maintaining. Markers are less likely to ghost and they’re more resistant to dents or scratches, making them a great fit for common rooms like factory floors and office lobbies. The downside is that porcelain boards are more expensive.  

Glass whiteboards are a modern but costly option. They’re the most durable of all the options, and will not streak or ghost, making them perfect for regular use. You can also order glass whiteboards in a custom colour, giving you some control over the display.  

The material you choose depends mainly on your usage, if the board isn’t going to see much action, it isn’t worth investing in a costly material. But if it’s going to be used regularly, choosing porcelain or glass will stop you having to constantly clean and maintain the board.  
 

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Whiteboard 

There are options other than whiteboards available, and it’s important you explore every avenue to make the best decision for your home, office or school. One such option is a chalkboard. On the surface whiteboards and chalkboards are very similar, but when broken down there are some key differences.  

When did whiteboards replace blackboards?  

Whiteboards first came about around the 1950s, but they didn’t begin to replace blackboards until the 1975s. It was the invention of the whiteboard marker that really tipped things in the whiteboards favour, with convenience driving its popularity. Blackboards are still used today and bring a nostalgic feel, but it’s this ease of use that makes whiteboards more common.  

What are the differences between blackboards and whiteboards? 

Generally, the whiteboard is the preferred option, but blackboards still have a variety of advantages. This is mainly down to the use of chalk rather than whiteboard markers. Chalk requires no special care, while whiteboard markers must be looked after and capped or they will dry out. Other benefits include: 

• Chalk is cheaper 
• Chalk makes it easier to draw lines of different weight 

• Chalk has a mild smell, compared to the chemical odour from whiteboard pens 
• Chalk can easily be erased 
• Chalk can be easily removed from clothing 
• Chalk is mostly biodegradable 

So, there are still many benefits with the classic blackboard. However, whiteboards also offer a number of their own advantages, including:   

• Whiteboards leave no chalk dust 
• Whiteboards are easier to wipe and keep clean 
• There is more clarity to the writing on whiteboards 
• You can use whiteboards to project slides or videos 
• If you opt for an interactive whiteboard you can benefit from the interactive display 

The decision on what benefits you’d rather see, and which option is the best fit comes down to you.  

Types of Whiteboard 

As well as being available in a variety of materials, there are also different types of whiteboards to choose from. Aside from the traditional whiteboards, there are also magnetic and interactive boards which bring their own added benefits.  

What is a magnetic whiteboard? 

There is no real difference to the traditional whiteboards, other than the fact they are magnetic. They have the same laminate and white surface, but with the added benefit of being able to use magnetic whiteboards during presentations. These are particularly popular in primary schools. 

What is an interactive whiteboard? 

Interactive whiteboards or smartboards are a large interactive display that acts as a touchscreen computer. They have grown more popular over the last decade and can offer the basic function of the whiteboard with many more capabilities to improve learning and interaction. Some of the key benefits of using interactive whiteboards are: 

• Files can easily be shared, accessed, and edited 
• Interactive board tools allow for 3D modelling, estimating, hyperlinking and more 
• You can link them to IOS and Android devices 

• The touch screen makes it easy to use 
• They don’t require pens, chalks, or any maintenance 

There is an added cost to interactive whiteboards, so it depends on whether you need all the added benefits that come with them. 
 

Standard Whiteboard Sizes 

Widescreen whiteboards (118cm x 155-210cm) 

Widescreen whiteboards dimensions make them perfect for filling the wall in modern meeting rooms, schools and offices. They encourage users to utilise all the space available and offer great visual representation. 

Large whiteboards (90-120cm x 120-240cm) 

Large and giant whiteboards are used for shared workspaces or open areas. They’re perfect for large collaborative projects where groups can create and develop new ideas.  

Small whiteboards (60cm x 90cm) 

Small whiteboards are commonly used as reminder boards in offices, great for leaving notes or collaborating with colleagues.  

Laptop Whiteboards (21-30cm x 30-42cm) 

Laptop whiteboards are the smallest size, used when individuals all need their own whiteboard to write on. These are particularly popular in classrooms of young children.  

Mobile whiteboards (120cm x 90cm) 

A whiteboard on wheels is a great fit for multi-room use. They’re easily moved between rooms, making their flexibility a key benefit of this model.  

Flipchart easels (165cm x 95cm) 

Easels that include an integrated whiteboard surface are ideal for meetings and training where ideas and concepts want to be quickly recorded and revisited.  

Understanding the standard whiteboard sizes and their function will help you make the best decision when it comes to buying.  

How Much Does a Whiteboard Cost? 

The cost of a whiteboard varies depending on the material, model and size. If you’re wondering where to buy a whiteboard at a good price, our range of whiteboards here at Furniture At Work offer unbeatable prices. We are so confident in our prices; we offer a price match guarantee. If you find a cheaper product elsewhere, we promise to match it.  

Available on our site you will find: 

• Combination Whiteboards (£34.00 - £132.00) 
• Freestanding Whiteboards (£85.00 - £447.00) 
• Glass Whiteboards (£51.00 – £1,069.00) 
• Magnetic Whiteboards (£17.00 - £447.00) 
• Non Magnetic Whiteboards (£17.00 - £394,00) 

• Unframed Whiteboards (£20.00 - £359.00) 
• Junior Whiteboards (£20.00 - £279.00) 
• Printed Whiteboards (£21.00 – £82.00) 
• Planning Whiteboards (£48.00) 
• Tactical Sportsboards (£21.00 - £71.00) 

• Whiteboard Accessories (£4.00 - £29.00) 

Take a browse through our range and find all the products you’ll need to share innovative ideas and collaborate with colleagues, students or teammates.