Collection: Column Boards & FlexiView Range
Quick answer: Column boards are floor-to-ceiling sliding writing surfaces that stack two or three panels in a single footprint, giving lecture theatres, training rooms and large classrooms far more usable board space without widening the wall. The Presentation Spaces range covers manual and electric dry-wipe column boards, chalk column boards, and the FlexiView gliding whiteboard system.
What is a column board?
A columnboard (sometimes written as two words, column board) is a multi-panel writing board where each panel slides or glides vertically past the others. Because the panels travel up and down rather than sideways, a column board doubles or triples your total writing area while occupying exactly the same wall width as a single fixed board.
Column boards are the standard choice wherever wall space is limited but writing area is not: lecture theatres, university seminar rooms, secondary school science labs and large corporate training suites all benefit from the format. The bottom panel is always within reach; the top panels slide down when needed.
Panels are typically available in widths from 1,200 mm up to 2,400 mm, with heights to match standard ceiling heights of 2.4 m to 4 m. Every board in our range is UK-made and ships fully assembled on a welded steel track.
Manual column boards: dry-wipe and chalk
Manual vertical sliding boards are spring-balanced so panels glide smoothly with minimal effort. There are two writing surface options.
Dry-wipe column boards
Our dry-wipe column board uses a hard-lacquered melamine or porcelain steel surface that wipes clean with a standard whiteboard eraser. Porcelain surfaces carry a 25-year guarantee and are resistant to ghosting, making them the preferred specification for rooms with heavy daily use.
Chalk column boards
The chalk column board is finished in a matte black or green slate-effect surface compatible with traditional chalk and liquid chalk markers. Many educators prefer chalk in drama studios, music rooms and primary classrooms, and the matte surface eliminates the glare that can make projected content hard to read alongside a board.
Both manual options are available in two-tier and three-tier configurations. Contact us for a quote on non-standard sizes.
Electric column boards: motorised panels for lecture theatres
Electric column boards replace the spring balance with a low-voltage motor and a push-button or remote control. Panels travel smoothly without the presenter having to reach up, which matters in a tiered lecture theatre where the board may be 5 m or more from the nearest audience seat.
The electric dry-wipe column board and the electric chalk column board share the same motorised track system. Both are available with infra-red remote control and a manual override in case of power interruption. Motor units are field-replaceable, keeping long-term maintenance costs low.
Electric boards are also the correct solution when a health-and-safety risk assessment rules out manual operation, for example in rooms where a presenter would otherwise need to stand on a platform to move a panel.
The FlexiView sliding and gliding whiteboard range
The FlexiView gliding whiteboard takes a different approach. Instead of vertical stacking, FlexiView panels slide horizontally on a precision-engineered track, creating a continuous gliding whiteboard wall that can span the full width of a room.
FlexiView boards are magnetic and compatible with interactive overlays, making them a popular upgrade path for schools and training centres that want a large collaborative surface without committing to a fixed interactive display. Panels can be reconfigured on-site as room layouts change.
Key differences between FlexiView and column boards:
- Column boards are tall and narrow, ideal where wall width is constrained.
- FlexiView boards span horizontally, ideal for wide open walls or full-width display runs.
- Both formats are available in dry-wipe surfaces; column boards also come in chalk finish.
- FlexiView supports interactive overlay upgrades; standard column boards do not.
Column boards for lecture theatres and auditoriums
Lecture theatre boards need to meet several requirements that standard classroom whiteboards do not: they must be visible from the back of a tiered, raked seating arrangement; they must accommodate both written notes and projected slides simultaneously; and they must be operable by a single presenter without a technician's help.
Electric sliding boards solve all three. A three-tier electric dry-wipe column board at 2,400 mm wide gives over 17 square metres of writing area, enough to display a full lecture's worth of working while a separate projector screen remains in use at one side. The motorised mechanism means panels move silently during a live session.
For new-build lecture theatres, we can supply column boards pre-mounted on a back wall frame ready for installation by your fit-out contractor. For retrofit projects, our UK surveying team will assess your existing wall and recommend the correct track and counterweight specification.
Browse the full range → Column Boards and FlexiView range
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a column board and a standard sliding whiteboard?
A column board slides vertically: panels stack above one another and travel up and down on a fixed-width track. A standard sliding whiteboard typically moves horizontally across a wider wall. Column boards are the better choice where wall width is limited; horizontal sliding boards work well for long, open walls.
Can I specify a column board with a porcelain surface?
Yes. The dry-wipe column board range is available with either melamine-lacquered or porcelain steel surfaces. Porcelain is harder-wearing, resists permanent marking, and carries a 25-year manufacturer's guarantee. It is the recommended specification for rooms used more than four hours per day.
How loud is an electric column board in operation?
The motor systems used in our electric column boards are designed for use in active teaching environments and produce less noise than a standard projector fan. Panels travel at a controlled speed with a soft-start and soft-stop to prevent jolting. If you need a specific decibel rating for an acoustic specification, contact our sales team and we will provide a manufacturer data sheet.
Is free UK delivery available on column boards?
Free UK mainland delivery is available on selected column board and FlexiView orders. Check the product page or contact us for your specific configuration, as delivery terms vary for large motorised units that require kerbside or installation-team delivery.
Can a FlexiView board be used with an interactive display?
Yes. The FlexiView gliding whiteboard is compatible with interactive overlays. The magnetic surface also allows standard magnetic accessories such as document holders and display frames to be used alongside the interactive layer. Contact us for compatible overlay models and integration advice.
Are column boards suitable for retrofit into an existing lecture theatre?
In most cases, yes. Our UK survey team assesses wall construction, ceiling height and existing fixings before recommending a track specification. The main constraints are structural: the wall must be capable of taking the board weight, and there must be sufficient clear ceiling height for the panel stack. Electric boards also require a 13 A mains supply within 2 m of the track.
