Quick answer: The right whiteboard depends on three things: surface type (melamine for light use, painted steel for regular office or classroom use, vitreous enamel/ceramic steel for heavy daily use), whether you need magnetic functionality, and the size of the wall space you have available. Most schools and meeting rooms benefit most from a magnetic painted steel or vitreous enamel board in a floor-to-ceiling or wide panoramic size.
Whiteboard surface types: which is best for your setting?
The writing surface is the single most important factor in any whiteboard purchase. Boards may look identical in a product photograph, but the surface determines how well the board cleans, how long it lasts, and whether it will ghost or stain within months.
Melamine
Melamine is the entry-level whiteboard surface. It is smooth, light, and suitable for occasional, low-intensity use, such as a home office note board or a small breakout room where the board is wiped clean every day. The drawback is longevity: melamine surfaces scratch easily, absorb ink over time, and begin to ghost (leave faint permanent marks) within a year or two of regular use. It is also non-magnetic. Choose melamine only if the budget is genuinely tight and the board will see light use.
Painted steel (lacquered steel)
Painted or lacquered steel is the most widely used surface in offices and classrooms. It is magnetic, offers significantly better ghosting resistance than melamine, and is available across a broad range of sizes. Most painted steel boards come with a five to ten year surface guarantee. This is the practical default for meeting rooms, staff rooms, and teaching spaces that are used every day but not relentlessly. Our VES ECO Magnetic Whiteboard is a popular choice in this tier: slim aluminium frame, full magnetic surface, available in a wide range of sizes.
Vitreous enamel (ceramic steel)
Vitreous enamel, also called porcelain-on-steel or ceramic steel, is the premium whiteboard surface. It is produced by fusing powdered glass to a steel substrate at high temperature, creating a surface that is extremely hard, permanently smooth, and virtually immune to ghosting, staining, and scratching. Most vitreous enamel boards carry a 25-year surface guarantee. They are magnetic, easy to clean with a dry cloth, and the surface does not degrade with heavy use. This is the correct choice for high-traffic classrooms, lecture theatres, training rooms, and anywhere a board is used intensively for years. Our Shell Board uses vitreous enamel ceramic steel and is made in the UK to order across the widest range of sizes on the market.
HPL (non-magnetic)
High-Pressure Laminate boards offer a hard, smooth, non-magnetic writing surface and are well suited to settings where magnetism is not required, such as design studios, architectural practices, or rooms with sensitive electronic equipment. The surface is durable and cleans well. Our Non-Magnetic Whiteboard HPL is a good option here.
Glass
Tempered glass boards are the modern prestige option: frameless, available in white or a range of colours, and magnetic across the whole surface. Glass wipes completely clean with no ghosting whatsoever and rarely requires anything more than a dry cloth. The trade-off is cost: a glass board is typically two to three times the price of a comparable painted steel board. For boardrooms, reception areas, or anywhere the board forms part of the interior design, glassboards are hard to beat. Browse our full glassboards collection for options including coloured, printed, and bespoke sizes.
Surface type comparison
| Surface | Magnetic? | Ghosting resistance | Typical guarantee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine | No | Low | 1–2 years | Home office, light use |
| Painted steel | Yes | Medium–good | 5–10 years | Offices, general classrooms |
| Vitreous enamel / ceramic steel | Yes | Excellent | 25 years | Heavy-use classrooms, training rooms |
| HPL (non-magnetic) | No | Good | 5–10 years | Design studios, tech-sensitive rooms |
| Glass | Yes | Excellent (no ghosting) | 10–lifetime | Boardrooms, reception areas |
Magnetic or non-magnetic?
A magnetic whiteboard doubles as a pinboard without the need for drawing pins or adhesive. You can attach printed schedules, project briefs, photographs, and reference documents with standard whiteboard magnets, keeping the board tidy and the wall around it clear. For classrooms, project rooms, and collaborative offices, magnetic functionality is almost always worth the modest extra cost.
Non-magnetic boards are appropriate when:
- The room contains sensitive electronic equipment that could be affected by magnetic fields.
- The board will be used exclusively for writing, and document display is handled elsewhere.
- Budget is a primary constraint and the use case is minimal.
Painted steel and vitreous enamel boards are both magnetic by nature. HPL and melamine are not. Glass boards are typically magnetic (backed with ferrous material) but check individual product specifications.
Choosing the right size
The most common mistake when buying a whiteboard is choosing one that is too small for the room. A board that looks adequate in isolation will feel cramped once it is on the wall and in active use. The following guidelines cover the most common settings:
- Home office or personal workstation: 600 × 900 mm is a useful minimum. A 900 × 1200 mm board gives noticeably more working space without dominating a small room.
- Small meeting room (4–6 people): 1200 × 900 mm is the practical minimum. 1500 × 1200 mm is more comfortable.
- Medium meeting room or classroom (up to 20): 1800 × 1200 mm or wider. A panoramic board at this size is visible from the back of the room without people needing to move.
- Large classroom, lecture room, or training suite: 2400 × 1200 mm and above. Many schools and universities use floor-to-ceiling or full-wall boards. All of our boards are available in custom sizes to fit non-standard walls.
Measure the wall space before ordering, including clearance for door swings, light switches, and projector screens. If the measurement sits between standard sizes, ordering a custom size is usually the better investment.
Frame materials and mounting
Aluminium frames
Aluminium is the standard frame material for good reason: it is lightweight, rigid, does not corrode, and will not warp or sag over time. Be aware that some boards are sold with plastic frames finished to look like aluminium. Plastic frames flex under the weight of a large board and rarely last as long. Look for extruded aluminium rather than a pressed finish, and check the product specification if you are in any doubt.
Wooden frames
A natural wood frame suits period buildings, libraries, and spaces where a warmer aesthetic is preferred. Quality timber frames are durable, but they should be avoided in humid environments such as sports halls or some science labs, where moisture can cause swelling or staining.
Mounting: corner fixings versus picture-rail hanging
Corner fixings are the safest and most secure method for wall mounting. All four corners are fixed independently, distributing the weight evenly and preventing the board from pulling free over time. Picture-rail style hanging (two top hooks over a rail or screws) works for small, light boards but is not appropriate for boards wider than around 900 mm. For large, heavy boards, particularly vitreous enamel boards, corner fixings are the only sensible option.
Projection whiteboards
A projection whiteboard combines a writable surface with a projector screen: the projected image sits on the board, and you can write over it, annotate it, or use it as the background for a presentation. This approach is popular in classrooms and training rooms where a projector is already in use, because it eliminates the need for a separate projection screen and saves wall space.
Vitreous enamel and painted steel surfaces both work well for projection because they are bright white and uniformly reflective. Avoid coloured or tinted surfaces for projection use. Key considerations include:
- Throw distance: the projector needs enough distance from the wall to fill the board. A short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector can work in a smaller room.
- Board brightness: a bright, clean surface reflects projected images clearly. A ghosted or discoloured board will reduce image quality.
- Keystone correction: most modern projectors correct for the slight angle caused by mounting the projector above or to the side of the board.
Projection whiteboards are particularly effective for meetings (project the agenda and annotate it in real time), school lessons (display an image and ask pupils to label it), and presentations (use the board as both screen and notes space). Browse our full whiteboards collection to see sizes suitable for projection setups.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best whiteboard surface?
Vitreous enamel (ceramic steel) is the best whiteboard surface for performance and longevity. It resists ghosting, staining, and scratching for the life of the board, and most carry a 25-year guarantee. Painted steel is the best surface for general office and classroom use where budget is a consideration. Melamine is suitable only for occasional, light use.
Are magnetic whiteboards worth it?
Yes, for most settings. A magnetic surface costs only marginally more than a non-magnetic equivalent and gives you the added ability to attach documents, maps, schedules, and other materials with magnets. This is particularly useful in classrooms, project rooms, and any collaborative space. The only cases where non-magnetic is preferable are rooms with sensitive electronics or where magnetism is genuinely unnecessary.
What is a vitreous enamel whiteboard?
A vitreous enamel whiteboard (also called ceramic steel or porcelain-on-steel) is made by fusing powdered glass to a steel substrate at very high temperature. The result is an extremely hard, smooth, non-porous writing surface that resists ghosting, ink absorption, and physical damage far better than melamine or painted steel. Most vitreous enamel boards are guaranteed for 25 years. They are also magnetic. The Shell Board is our flagship vitreous enamel whiteboard, made in the UK and available across an extensive range of sizes including bespoke.
What size whiteboard do I need?
For a home office or single workstation, 900 × 600 mm is a practical minimum. For a meeting room of up to six people, 1500 × 1200 mm is recommended. For a classroom of 20 to 30 pupils, 1800 × 1200 mm or wider is standard. For lecture theatres or large training rooms, consider 2400 × 1200 mm or a floor-to-ceiling custom board. Measure your available wall space before ordering, and factor in door clearances and projector screens.
How do I stop my whiteboard from ghosting?
Ghosting (faint permanent marks left by old ink) is largely a product of surface quality. Melamine boards are the most prone to ghosting and cannot be fully restored once staining has occurred. Painted steel boards can be cleaned with a specialist whiteboard cleaner to remove ghost marks, but the risk of ghosting increases with age. Vitreous enamel boards are virtually ghost-proof by design. If you are already experiencing ghosting, a dedicated whiteboard cleaning spray used with a soft cloth will help. Switching to quality dry-erase markers and wiping the board at the end of each day also significantly reduces the problem.
Can I get a whiteboard in a custom size?
Yes. All of our whiteboards are available in a wide range of standard sizes, and we manufacture to bespoke dimensions for non-standard walls, alcoves, and floor-to-ceiling installations. Call us on 01382 913 913 or email info@presentationspaces.co.uk to discuss your requirements.
Browse our full range of whiteboards, including the Shell Board (vitreous enamel ceramic steel), the VES ECO Magnetic Whiteboard (magnetic steel), and the Non-Magnetic Whiteboard HPL, or contact our team for advice on the right board for your space. →