Why Whiteboards Are Preferred Over Chalkboards

By Adam Seaward

A whiteboard refers to a white, smooth surface on which once can make temporary markings using a specially designed non-permanent marker (commonly known as a whiteboard marker). White boards evolved from chalk boards and functions similar to a chalkboard. White boards began to gain popularity in the eighties and today the whiteboard finds its application in many places such as institutions, offices, meeting halls, places of education and other similar environments.

Health issues have been the main concern regarding to the airborne particles from the chalks and people begin to find an alternative that could fit their needs and that's where the whiteboard appear. It is not only harmful to the health but also to computer chips that can create damage. Besides, a chalk can make the surrounding air affect the children's inhalation. With all the factors that have been recognize these influenced to replace chalkboards with a more health friendly whiteboards.

White boards come in various types depending on the materials used to make the white board:

Melamine: whiteboards made of melamine are the most economical type and they are used extensively. But this type of whiteboard has disadvantages such as earl ghosting effect (the markings becoming permanent on board), staining, etc., in a very short time and thus, these are very poor quality.

Painted steel or aluminum: These types of whiteboards are made of steel or aluminum surfaces with white paint sprayed on them. This type of board has the advantage of lasting longer than Melamine boards and is also easy to wipe. However, the board becomes stained due to the porous paint surface and is also prone to scratches.

Glass: Glass whiteboards are more advantageous as they can be used with both permanent and non-permanent ink and ghosting does not occur.

Hardcore laminates: Though these whiteboards are prone to scratches, the boards do not retain stain as they do not absorb the inks of the markers - dry erase or permanent.

Porcelain: The boards are made of a ceramic surface on steel. The erasability of the boards varies depending upon the type of porcelain, but all types of porcelain boards are scratch resistant.

The benefits of a whiteboards over chalkboards:

1. A whiteboards marker has no dust dissimilar to a chalk for chalkboards that can have effect on the health of the users. 2. Whiteboard surface is completely white and clean that offers clearer visualization for the presentation. 3. Usage of multiple color markers is non-compulsory if you would like to make a colorful visual presentation. 4. Whiteboards can be utilized as an LCD projection since of its non-reflective surfaces. 5. Whiteboard marker is easier to hold and handler dissimilar to chalkboard. 6. A more vivid markings will not be affected by other external factors.

If there is an advantage of a Whiteboards then there is only a set of disadvantages:

1. Pick the right markers to use on whiteboards. It has to be dry wipe type of markers since there are some that is not appropriate to use. 2. Boards with low quality can leave ghosting effects that can be bothersome for the future markings on the board. 3. Too much glossiness in the surface can be a problem to those who have poor visibility. 4. To those who have vision problems a white background can cause them difficulty in viewing the content. 5. Whiteboards are more costly than black boards.

Even though whiteboards have disadvantages, that cannot totally affect the issues since the advantages can outshine all the negative sides. Whiteboards is flexible to use to those places that needs easy maintenance such as a small kitchens in homes to some huge meeting halls of the companies. They build confident atmosphere with clean surrounding as well as provide the supreme comfort and excellent visual presentation. It is also does not easily generate dust.

Maintaining whiteboards is very easy. Just make sure you use only the standard dry-erase markers on the whiteboard and avoid permanent markers. Erasing the entire board must be done every after use. The board must be cleaned at least 3 times a week especially if it is used almost everyday. After marking, do not erase it immediately while it is still damp as this may cause ghosting effect. You must ensure that the cleaner is glass cleaner and non-abrasive.

A non-magnetic whiteboards will not be necessary clean it depends upon the use, however a magnetic whiteboards should be cleaned with a glass cleaner and rinsed with water before use. Use felt erasers and when the eraser becomes dirty, change it immediately so that it does not stain on the board. A proper daily rinsed with water is a must in magnetic whiteboards. To remove a stubborn stains use a stain remover.

Due to the many advantages of the whiteboards over other boards, it has become the most prominent and well known type of board today. With proper maintenance and careful use, the disadvantages of whiteboards can easily be solved and prevented. - 29971

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