Quick answer: Column boards (automated writing boards) come in three main types: electric (motorised), mechanical (manual), and sliding/FlexiView. Choose electric for accessible, high-use lecture theatres and auditoriums; mechanical where simplicity and no power supply are priorities; and sliding or FlexiView where you need maximum writing surface or a combined digital-and-writeable front wall. Surface type (dry-wipe or chalk) is a separate decision from the lift mechanism.
What is an automated writing board?
An automated writing board is any teaching or presentation surface that moves vertically or horizontally to maximise usable area, improve accessibility, or integrate with AV equipment. In a lecture theatre or auditorium the front wall is often too tall for a single fixed panel, so boards are stacked in columns and raised or lowered as needed.
Common terms you will encounter:
- Electric column board or motorised column board
- Mechanical column board (manual vertical travel)
- Sliding whiteboard or FlexiView slider (horizontal travel, panels that slide to reveal further panels behind)
- Vertical-lift board
The terminology varies between manufacturers and architects' schedules, but the practical choice comes down to the three types below.
Electric column boards
Electric (motorised) column boards use a quiet motor to raise and lower the writing surface at the touch of a button. They are the standard specification for:
- Lecture theatres and tiered auditoriums where the presenter needs to reach high writing surfaces without a stepladder
- Accessible classrooms and SEN settings where DDA-compliant height adjustment is required
- Any space where multiple staff of different heights will use the board throughout the day
Both dry-wipe and chalk surfaces are available in electric form:
- Electric Dry Wipe Column Board - smooth motorised lift with a premium whiteboard finish, suitable for marker-based teaching and projected content
- Electric Chalk Column Board - silent electric adjustment with a traditional chalk surface; popular in universities, conservatoires, and heritage buildings where chalk is the staff preference
Electric boards require a 230V power supply to each column position. This is typically routed in the wall during new-build or refurbishment, so confirm power provision early in the design stage.
Mechanical column boards
Mechanical column boards move vertically via a counterbalanced manual mechanism. They are reliable, quieter to maintain than motorised systems, and cost less upfront.
Choose mechanical when:
- Power to the board wall is unavailable or impractical
- The budget does not support motorised units and accessibility requirements are met by other means
- The building is a heritage or listed structure where trunking for electrical supply is restricted
Surface options follow the same split:
- Dry Wipe Column Board - easy manual sliding action with a contemporary dry-wipe surface
- Chalk Column Board - classic chalk surface on a modern frame; a reliable choice for primary, secondary, and further education
Sliding and FlexiView boards
Where the brief calls for maximum continuous writing area rather than height adjustment, a sliding system is the answer. Panels travel horizontally on a track, with further panels concealed behind the front row. This is common in:
- Large lecture theatres where the presenter moves from left to right across the front wall
- Maths and science departments where equations and working must remain visible for extended periods
- Boardrooms and training suites where a wide, uninterrupted writing surface is a design requirement
The FlexiView Slider combines sliding panels with fold-out writing wings, giving flexibility for both AV-integrated presentations and traditional writing. It is particularly effective in lecture theatres that need to accommodate both a projector screen and live written content without compromising on either.
Browse the full range in the column boards and sliding whiteboards collection.
Electric vs mechanical vs sliding: a comparison
| Feature | Electric column board | Mechanical column board | Sliding / FlexiView |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movement direction | Vertical (motorised) | Vertical (manual) | Horizontal (manual) |
| Accessibility | Full DDA-compliant adjustment | Manual effort required | Fixed height; accessible surface area |
| Power required | Yes (230V per column) | No | No |
| Best for | Lecture theatres, SEN, multi-user spaces | Standard classrooms, heritage buildings | Auditoriums, large lecture rooms, maths depts |
| Surface options | Dry-wipe or chalk | Dry-wipe or chalk | Dry-wipe standard; AV integration available |
| Relative cost | Higher | Lower | Mid to higher depending on configuration |
How to specify an automated writing board: a step-by-step approach
- Measure the wall. Record the available width, usable height (floor to ceiling minus any soffits or lighting rigs), and depth behind the board line. Column boards need wall depth for the mechanism housing.
- Confirm power provision. If electric boards are likely, flag the requirement to the M&E engineer early. Retrofitting conduit later adds cost and disruption.
- Define the user profile. Is height adjustability required for accessibility compliance? Are staff of significantly different heights? Is the space SEN-designated? If yes to any of these, specify electric.
- Choose movement type. Vertical travel (column board) for height adjustment; horizontal travel (sliding) for maximum continuous surface.
- Select the writing surface. Dry-wipe for marker-based teaching, projected content, and modern aesthetics. Chalk for departments that prefer it, dusty-environment resilience, and certain heritage contexts.
- Consider AV integration. If a projector or interactive display will share the front wall, a FlexiView or sliding system avoids the board masking the screen when not in use.
- Request a site survey. Wall construction, fixings, and stud spacing all affect the installation method. A survey removes surprises on installation day.
Frequently asked questions
Can electric column boards be retrofitted into an existing lecture theatre?
Yes, in most cases. The main constraint is running a 230V supply to each column position. In new-build and refurbishment projects this is straightforward; in occupied buildings it typically requires a chase or surface conduit. A site survey will confirm feasibility and the best cable route before you commit to a specification.
What is the difference between a column board and a sliding whiteboard?
A column board moves vertically: the panel rises and falls so users of different heights, or in spaces with tall walls, can always reach the writing surface. A sliding whiteboard moves horizontally: multiple panels sit on a track and slide left or right, revealing additional panels behind. Column boards are the usual choice where accessibility and height adjustment matter; sliding boards are chosen where maximum uninterrupted writing area is the priority.
Do automated writing boards comply with DDA accessibility requirements?
Electric column boards are designed to meet DDA height-adjustment requirements, allowing the writing surface to be set at a comfortable position for wheelchair users and staff of any stature. Mechanical boards can be adjusted but require physical effort; in settings with a DDA obligation, electric is generally the preferred specification. We can advise on the specific height range and travel distance for any of our electric models.
Are column boards suitable for universities and auditoriums, or are they mainly for schools?
Column boards are used extensively in universities, lecture theatres, conservatoires, and large auditoriums, as well as in schools. The electric dry-wipe and electric chalk models are both common higher-education specifications. For very large lecture theatres with wide front walls, a combination of column boards and a sliding system is often specified to give both height adjustment and continuous horizontal writing area.
What writing surface should I specify, dry-wipe or chalk?
Dry-wipe (whiteboard) surfaces are the default for most modern education settings: they work alongside projected content, require no dust extraction, and suit marker-based teaching. Chalk surfaces remain popular in universities, music schools, and departments where staff simply prefer chalk, and in heritage buildings where the aesthetics of a chalk board are important. Both surfaces are available across the electric and mechanical column board ranges.
Can I integrate a projector screen or interactive display with a column board system?
Yes. The FlexiView Slider is specifically designed for this: sliding panels move clear of the screen area when AV is in use, then back across when written content is needed. Standard column boards can also be positioned to flank a central screen. For lecture theatres planning a hybrid analogue-and-digital front wall, discuss the layout with us at specification stage so the column positions and screen housing are designed together.
For advice on specifying the right system for your lecture theatre, auditorium, or classroom, contact the Presentation Spaces team.
