Quick answer: The right notice board depends on three decisions: surface type (felt, corked hessian, cork, or combination), frame (aluminium or wood, framed or unframed), and environment (indoor or outdoor, standard or lockable). For most offices and schools, a Class 1 fire-rated felt board in an aluminium frame hits the best balance of durability, appearance, and compliance. Outdoor or public-facing installations need a lockable, weatherproof cabinet.
Notice board surface types compared
The pinning surface is the most important decision. Each material has a distinct feel, lifespan, and suitability for different environments.
| Surface | Best for | Pin retention | Fire rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felt | Offices, schools, staffrooms | Excellent | Class 1 / B available | Smooth finish, wide colour choice, easy to keep tidy |
| Corded hessian | Reception, boardrooms, hospitality | Excellent | Class 1 available | Textured weave, more tactile and premium-looking |
| Cork | Home offices, light commercial use | Good | Standard (check product) | Natural, sustainable; can crumble with heavy use |
| Combination (felt + cork or magnetic) | Mixed-use environments | Excellent | Varies by product | Pins on one half, magnets or writing on the other |
Understanding fire ratings: Class 1 and Class B
In commercial, educational, and healthcare buildings in the UK, notice boards are often specified to meet fire-resistance standards. Two ratings appear most frequently on product specs:
- Class 1 (BS 476-7): The older British Standard for surface spread of flame. Class 1 means the material resists spreading surface flame. This rating appears widely on boards sold for schools and public buildings.
- Class B (EN 13501-1): The current European reaction-to-fire classification, used in newer procurement specs and for buildings following the Euroclass system. Class B boards offer limited combustibility.
If your building specification or facilities manager references a particular standard, check the product data sheet before purchasing. The Premier Felt Notice Board and the Take-Notice FR range both carry Class 1 / fire-retardant certification and are commonly specified for schools, care homes, and NHS settings.
Framed vs unframed notice boards
Framing affects appearance, durability, and how a board is mounted.
Framed boards
An aluminium or wood frame protects the edges of the pinning surface, gives a finished appearance against a wall, and provides solid mounting points. Powder-coated aluminium frames are the most popular choice for commercial settings: lightweight, resistant to knocks, and available in silver, black, and a range of RAL colours. Wood frames suit traditional or school environments where a warmer look is preferred.
Unframed boards
Unframed panels can be edge-mounted or inset into a wall recess for a flush, architectural finish. They are commonly used in reception areas and breakout spaces where a frameless look fits the interior design. The pinning surface is typically wrapped to the edge and the panel is fixed with concealed fixings or a slim perimeter channel.
Lockable and tamperproof notice boards
In public-facing or high-footfall locations, the ability to lock a notice board prevents unauthorised removal or alteration of displayed information. Lockable boards are specified frequently in:
- GP surgeries, hospitals, and healthcare settings where patient information must remain displayed
- Local authority buildings, libraries, and community halls
- School reception areas and entrance lobbies
- Hospitality and hotel lobbies
Most lockable boards use a hinged glazed or acrylic-fronted door with a barrel lock or key lock. Tamperproof fixings on the cabinet itself prevent the whole unit being removed. For outdoor use, a fully sealed weatherproof cabinet is required in addition to a lock.
Indoor vs outdoor notice boards
Standard indoor boards are not built to withstand rain, condensation, or UV exposure. If a board will be mounted outside, at a building entrance, on an external wall, or in a covered but open area, you need a purpose-built weatherproof cabinet.
Key features to look for in an outdoor board:
- Sealed, weatherproof frame: aluminium or powder-coated steel with gaskets at all joints
- UV-resistant glazed or polycarbonate door: prevents rain ingress and protects paper from bleaching
- Lockable door: prevents wind from opening the cabinet and protects contents from tampering
- Felt or foam pinning surface inside the cabinet: durable under the protected conditions inside
The exterior weatherproof noticeboard range is designed for permanent outdoor installation and is available in single and multi-door configurations to suit different display areas.
Choosing the right size
Notice board sizes are typically quoted in millimetres as width x height. Common sizes and their typical applications:
- A4 (297 x 210 mm): desktop or small corridor displays, one or two notices
- A3 (420 x 297 mm): small office or home use, a handful of notices
- 600 x 900 mm: small staffroom or breakout space
- 900 x 1200 mm (A0 equivalent): standard office or classroom board, suits 8-12 A4 notices
- 1200 x 1800 mm and above: corridor, entrance lobby, school hall, or multi-section display
As a working guide, allow roughly one A4 sheet per person who needs to read the board regularly, and ensure the board is mounted so the top edge is no higher than 1.8 m from the floor for comfortable reading. Very large displays are often better served by two or three boards in different zones than a single very large panel.
Browse notice boards from Presentation Spaces
The full notice board collection covers felt, corded hessian, cork, combination, lockable indoor, and weatherproof outdoor boards across a wide range of sizes and frame finishes. Made-to-order options are available for non-standard sizes. Whether you need a single staffroom board or a multi-board installation for a whole campus, we can help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between felt, hessian, and cork notice boards?
Felt boards use a smooth woven surface that holds pins cleanly and is the most common choice for offices and schools. Corded hessian (sometimes called burlap or weave fabric) has a coarser, textured finish that suits reception areas and boardrooms where a premium look is needed. Cork is a natural pinboard material, sustainable and biodegradable, but can crumble under heavy daily use; it is better suited to home offices and light commercial applications. All three are available in fire-rated versions.
Do I need a Class 1 or Class B fire-rated notice board?
It depends on your building specification. Class 1 (BS 476-7) is the older British Standard for surface flame spread and is widely accepted for schools, care homes, and public buildings. Class B (EN 13501-1) is the current Euroclass standard and appears in newer procurement documents and building regulations work. If your facilities or compliance team has specified a rating, check the product data sheet. The Premier Felt Notice Board and Take-Notice FR boards both carry Class 1 fire-retardant certification.
What is a combination notice board?
A combination board divides the surface into two functional zones on a single panel. Common combinations are felt pinboard alongside a magnetic steel writing surface, or felt alongside a whiteboard section. They suit meeting rooms, classrooms, and offices where staff need both a pinboard for notices and a write-on surface for notes or diagrams, without mounting two separate boards.
When do I need a lockable notice board?
A lockable board is worth specifying wherever displayed information must stay in place and resist tampering or accidental removal. Typical settings include GP surgeries and healthcare environments (patient-facing notices), school entrance lobbies, local authority and public buildings, and any outdoor installation where wind or visitors could otherwise open the board. For outdoor locations, the board also needs to be weatherproof, not just lockable.
What sizes do notice boards come in?
Standard sizes range from small desktop panels (A4/A3) through to large corridor and lobby boards at 1200 x 1800 mm and beyond. The most common commercial size is 900 x 1200 mm, which comfortably holds 8 to 12 A4 notices. Made-to-order boards are available for non-standard wall dimensions or for installations requiring a precise size, such as a recessed or flush-fitted panel.
Can notice boards be used outdoors?
Only if the board is specifically designed for outdoor use. Standard indoor felt and fabric boards are not weatherproof and will deteriorate quickly when exposed to rain, condensation, and UV light. For outdoor installations you need a sealed aluminium or steel cabinet with a lockable, UV-resistant glazed or polycarbonate door. The exterior weatherproof noticeboard range is built for permanent outdoor mounting and is available in single and multi-door options.
Talk to us
Not sure which board suits your setting or how to specify for a fire-rating requirement? Get in touch with the Presentation Spaces team. We are happy to advise on surface type, size, frame finish, and compliance, with no pressure and no jargon.
