Oh, whiteboard, how we love you!

Dry-erase boards — also known as whiteboards — are the evolutionary descendent of the black chalkboards once found in classrooms around the world.

Dry-erase boards are a non-permanent writing surface that can easily be erased and reused, just like a chalkboard only no dust or screechy chalk!

Anatomy Of A Dry Erase Board

There are two kinds of dry erase boards — those with a melamine surface and those with a porcelain steel writing surface.

Dry-erase boards all have a non-permanent writing surface with a clear topcoat.

The top coat of a whiteboard is always non-permeable so dry erase markers do not penetrate the surface.

The substrate of a dry-erase board varies from cardboard to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) depending on the desired weight and thickness of the whiteboard.

Melamine Dry Erase Board

Melamine dry erase boards are very thin and lightweight, which makes them ideal for cutting in various sizes and shapes.

Melamine whiteboards are very portable and inexpensive.

But a melamine dry erase board will break down over time, becoming progressively more difficult to clean. When the faded letters refuse to be erased from the surface of your melamine whiteboard it is time to replace it.

Porcelain Steel Dry-Erase Board

Dry-erase boards with a porcelain steel surface — or an enamel surface — are much heavier and more durable than melamine whiteboards. They are better for permanent locations like classrooms, training centers, or laboratories. Because they have a steel core, magnets can be used on the surface of porcelain- or enamel-coated dry-erase boards.

Dry-erase boards with a porcelain steel surface resist denting and scratching far better than their melamine counterparts.

A mixture of nickel, cobalt, and glass is baked at extremely high temperatures and poured over steel sheets to make heavy-duty dry-erase boards.

Other manufacturers use steel mesh instead of steel sheets to reduce the weight of porcelain or enamel-covered whiteboards. Most substrates are covered with a layer of foil to prevent moisture from penetrating and warping the whiteboard.

How To Use A Dry Erase Board

Whiteboards are awesome because they are erasable — AS LONG AS YOU USE DRY-ERASE MARKERS!

This is very important.

Many whiteboards have been ruined by people mistakenly using traditional felt markers instead of dry erase markers.

Permanent markers are exactly that — you will never get them off a dry erase board.

You MUST USE special dry erase markers with your whiteboard. We recommend using special whiteboard erasers too, though you can also use a piece of paper towel or a clean cloth to wipe dry erase markers from a whiteboard.

Whiteboards are better than chalkboards because there’s no dust and they are easier to clean.

Looking for a dry-erase board? Look no further than 123 Office for all your office supply needs!