Do Your Homework When Choosing a Whiteboard
By Amanda Dahlby
Whiteboards, dry erase boards, markerboards, wipe boards…they go by many names, and there are thousands of sizes, styles, and brands from which to choose. Whiteboards have become a standard classroom tool, and a significant amount of money is spent purchasing them – more than $1 billion per year in the United States alone.
Since there are so many types of whiteboards available, doing your homework before purchasing one can save a lot of time, money, and effort. The following questions are important factors to consider when purchasing a whiteboard.
1. Does the whiteboard carry a guarantee?
Guarantees vary widely from one whiteboard to the next, and one manufacturer’s version of a “surface guarantee” may be completely different from another manufacturer’s version. Ask any facility manager, and he or she will tell you that many whiteboards have issues with staining.
It is impossible to look at a whiteboard the day it is installed and know whether or not it will look discolored two years later, so the key to protecting your investment and ensuring that you won’t have to replace your whiteboard is to read the details of the guarantee to make sure that it lives up to its claims. Some surface guarantees cover scratching, but not staining, while other guarantees cover only workmanship defects.
It is hard to find a whiteboard with a true lifetime guarantee on the surface guarantee, but they do exist. You can rest easy when purchasing a whiteboard with a genuine surface guarantee, because it is an indicator that the whiteboard will have a long life.
2. Does the surface resist staining?
Cleaning your whiteboard should be the last of your worries, but, the fact is, if marker residue is left on the board without daily cleanings, staining will often occur unless the surface is exceptional.
Many dry erase surfaces retain marker pigments. This leaves behind a discolored look known as “ghosting” or staining. The result is an unsightly whiteboard with remnants of writing from the past, and the reduced contrast makes it difficult for students to read the writing on the board. Many whiteboards are replaced after less than 10 years on the job, simply due to staining.
Can you prevent staining? That depends on the type of whiteboard you purchase.
Melamine whiteboards inevitably stain. Daily cleanings can prolong the life of such boards, but even with strict maintenance, this surface will not last very long with daily use. It is meant for light usage, and it is commonly found in dry erase boards designed for home use.
Porcelain whiteboards are higher in quality than melamine and make up the majority of whiteboards currently used in classrooms. They vary significantly in quality, and price does not necessarily correlate with the quality of the surface. Since there are so many different “recipes” that can be used to manufacture porcelain, the surface pores of one porcelain board may be minimal, while the next porcelain board may have surface pores that are very prevalent. These surface pores allow staining to occur. Since a glossy board has fewer surface pores than a whiteboard with a matte finish, as a general rule, the glossier the surface, the longer it will last without staining.
Yet another type of whiteboard is a hardcoat laminate. There are very few brands of this type of whiteboard available, and they did not appear on the market until long after melamine and porcelain boards. Hardcoat laminate boards are unique in that they are nonporous and do not allow marker ink to penetrate, so they do not have to be cleaned often to prevent staining. In fact, even permanent marker ink does not adhere to the surface. The downside of a hardcoat laminate surface is that it is susceptible to scratching, so it should not be used in environments where vandalism is a problem. Also, since the surface has such high gloss, it does not make a good projection surface.
As you can see, stain resistance varies greatly from board to board. It is an important factor to consider because it is the main determinant in how much time and effort is required to maintain your whiteboard, and it also determines how long a whiteboard is able to withstand daily classroom use.
3. Is the whiteboard easy to install?
Whiteboards are large, heavy products, and they are cumbersome to ship, unload, and transport to a classroom. Since many whiteboards are very wide, it is important to make sure that the whiteboard you order can be transported to the classroom where it is being installed. For instance, consider any doorways or stairwells that the board would have to be transported through. If you think transporting the board to the classroom may be a problem, you can usually order the whiteboard in two separate sections that can fit through narrow spaces.
When installing a new whiteboard, removing the old chalkboard or whiteboard can be a large undertaking due to the work of dismantling, wall patching, and cleanup. One way to bypass this problem is to order a dry erase resurfacing panel, commonly referred to as a “skin.”
Most resurfacing panels on the market are self-adhesive, and they simply adhere onto the surface of an old chalkboard or whiteboard, transforming it into a new whiteboard with little effort. If your old board has a frame that isn’t in poor condition, a resurfacing panel is an excellent option, not only for the cost and time savings, but also for the reduced impact on the environment because the old chalkboard or whiteboard is salvaged instead of going to a landfill. In addition, a resurfacing panel requires much less energy to produce and transport than a new framed whiteboard.
4. Does the whiteboard require harsh cleaners to maintain?
One very important benefit of ordering a whiteboard resistant to staining is that you do not have to use harsh cleaners to maintain the board. The most commonly used dry erase board cleaners release harmful vapors that can be detrimental to the indoor air quality of a classroom, unless the classroom is ventilated very well.
A good alternative to using these common solvent-based cleaners is to clean your board with water or green cleaners that do not release harmful vapors. Unfortunately, if your board is not resistant to staining, water and gentle cleaners will not do a very good job of preventing discoloration.
Doing your homework and choosing the right surface is important not only because it saves time and money, but it also allows you to preserve the indoor air quality of your classroom.
Amanda Dahlby is marketing manager of EverProducts, manufacturer of EverWhite dry erase boards, www.everproducts.com.
Product Roundup: Whiteboards
Claridge Products and Equipment
Claridge Products and Equipment says, “The best just got better.” Claridge, the company that introduced the first dry-erase porcelain boards to the industry, now offers a new and improved markerboard writing surface. The new LCS-II surface still writes easily and erases cleanly like regular LCS, but LCS-II has a surface that is even smoother than the original. And, when ordered with low gloss, LCS-II markerboards can be used as a writing surface and a projection surface.
www.claridgeproducts.com
Interwrite Board
The Interwrite Board is a durable, easy-to-use interactive whiteboards. It is an ideal solution for educators that are looking for a way to interact, annotate and engage their students while feeling confidant that it will withstand almost any classroom abuse. Wirelessly connected to the educator’s computer and projector, the Interwrite Board and the award-winning Interwrite Workspace software (free with the purchase of the Board) gives you access to a rich database of digital images, simulations and interactive lessons. The Interwrite Board functions as a standard whiteboard, so standard dry erase markers can be used and easily erased.
www.interwritelearning.com
ClassroomPlus.com
Freestanding reversible boards provide the durable, practical design and flexible feature set to fit your presentation style. Long wheel base, full-length marker tray, and horizontal support beam keep your board steady at all times. With the Unique Double Pin Locking System, use one pin to flip your board and a second pin to lock it in for safety and stability. Rolling casters are included with stop mechanism for controlled mobility. Choose from markerboard, chalkboard, and cork surfaces in custom sizes. ClassroomPlus.com offers high-performance classroom furniture at prices you can afford.
www.ClassroomPlus.com
mimio Interactive
mimio Interactive is a portable system that includes a wireless stylus and an interactive bar that easily attaches to any whiteboard. The system works with a traditional PC and projector to allow a teacher to control desktop applications and the Web directly from a whiteboard to create a more dynamic environment and enhance classroom learning. Teachers can access files and browse Web sites, editing display screens directly at the board. Combined with mimio Capture, everything that a teacher writes or draws is digitally recorded so students can concentrate on content rather than copying.
www.mimio.com
Magnatag Planning Calendar
Magnatag makes planning an entire school year's worth of activities easy with its Principal's GiantYear Classic 365-Day Planning Calendar magnetic whiteboard kits. The magnetic dry-erase Principal's GiantYear whiteboard is available in three sizes to meet a wide range of school scheduling needs. Activities and plans can be posted using up to 50 different color combinations. Tools included in the Principal's GiantYear board kit are dry-erase pens in four colors, magnetic dates, months, status signal magnets, optional cardholders and cards in multiple colors for quickly locating and making changes.
www.magnatag.com
Hitachi Software FX Series Interactive Whiteboards
Hitachi’s Starboard FX Series of interactive whiteboards offer larger image areas, faster tracking speed, and a powerful feature set, providing an ideal solution for schools seeking a cost-effective yet durable, versatile interactive presentation and collaboration system. Featuring screen sizes of 63”, 77” and 82”, the FX Series whiteboards are suitable for installation in any size facility. Customizable function buttons enable the use of StarBoard software without the constant use of on-screen menus, and a customizable toolbar further enhances speed, flexibility, and user-friendliness.
www.hitachi.us
MooreCo’s Clean Green Markerboard
The Clean Green Markerboard is an environmentally friendly porcelain steel dry erase board. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions are less than 0.1 mg per cubic meter. Additionally, it contains no detectable VOCs that are known or suspected carcinogens. Substrate is constructed from hardboard and contains no additional urea formaldehyde binders and adhesives. Hardboard is ANSI A135.4-2004 compliant. Steel component contains up to 30% recycled content. Extruded aluminum trim is 99% recyclable. It erases with no ghosting. Included map rail features a 100% recycled Rubber-Tak surface.
www.moorecoinc.com |
