Supplementary Document

Dry Erase Board Surfaces
Better Best
Melamine
Ideal for: Light Use
Cost: $
Melamine is a resin-covered
paper and will be your most
economical choice. However,
it is only intended for light to
moderate use. The surface
requires regular cleaning and
maintenance and should only
be used in low-traffic areas.
If a melamine board is used
very frequently, it is likely
you will need a replacement
after 1 year. The surface is
also susceptible to ghosting
or staining. Melamine boards
are lightweight and make
ideal personal home or
office boards.
Painted Steel
Ideal for: Moderate
Use Cost: $$
A painted steel board is
a step up from Melamine
but yet still affordable.
They have a surface that is
easier to erase and clean
than Melamine. Dry Erase
Markers do not stain or ghost
but periodic cleaning of the
surface is recommended. The
steel surface is magnetic,
doubling the whiteboard as
a bulletin board. These make
ideal classroom or conference
room boards.
Porcelain
Ideal for: Heavy Use
Cost: $$$
A Porcelain board is your
most expensive choice but
will last the longest and
typically have a longer
warranty. These will not
dent, scratch, stain or
ghost. The surface is extra
smooth, making written
notes look clean, clear and
crisp. Porcelain boards are
also magnetic. Because of
the ceramic surface, these
boards are very heavy and
tend to need multiple people
for installation. These are
good for high level schools,
such as universities, and busy
conference rooms.
Glass
Ideal for: Heavy Use
Cost: $$$
A glass board is similar to
porcelain but not porous at all,
making it impossible to stain
or ghost. With a glass board,
you can count on smooth
writing and easy erasability.
Glass boards are typically
frameless, creating a sleek and
modern aesthetic. They will
not dent or scratch making
them a long lasting solution to
your writing needs.
Easy to
Erase
Longer
Life
While most whiteboards tend
to look the same, the biggest
differentiator is going to be the
surface material. The different
surfaces are intended for different
uses. In general, the less porous
the surface, the better the
performance. There are generally
4 surface types.
Good
Modern
Aesthetics