Whiteboards, Easels and Bulletin Boards

Match the board family to what people will do on it

Four families cover most needs. Dry-erase boards are for writing and wiping, and they are described as magnetic when a steel layer lets magnets hold papers. Cork and fabric bulletin boards take pins for notices. Easels hold flip chart pads or a board at presenting height. Maps, globes and map pins support teaching. Combination boards pair dry-erase and cork, which saves wall space where both jobs are needed. The wall boards are covered under dry-erase boards and lapboards, and the pin-up ones under bulletin and magnetic boards.

Size the board to the room, then fix it to the wall properly

A board should be readable from the back row: larger rooms need larger boards and bolder writing, while smaller boards work for desks and corridors. Common sizes run from 24 by 36 inches to 8 by 4 feet. Check the mounting hardware and the board's weight, because large glass or steel boards are heavy and need fixings suited to the wall. Trays hold markers and erasers, while easel boards and tabletop stands avoid drilling altogether.

Questions about Whiteboards, Easels and Bulletin Boards

Will magnets stick to any whiteboard?

No. Only boards with a steel layer under the writing surface hold magnets, and the listing should call them magnetic. A plain melamine board will not hold them, and glass boards often need stronger magnets.

Can permanent marker be removed from a whiteboard?

Often, but not always. Writing over permanent marker with a dry-erase marker and wiping can lift it from smooth surfaces such as porcelain or glass. On older or rougher melamine, a stain may remain, so use only dry-erase markers on a board you want to keep clean.

Should a bulletin board be cork or fabric?

Cork takes pins repeatedly and recovers, so it suits notices that change often. Fabric or felt coverings give a cleaner look and many colors, though pin holes can show over time. Either works well with a frame and a proper wall fixing.