What is the difference between Porcelain and Melamine Whiteboards?

If you’re shopping for a dry-erase board, you’re going to have to decide between a porcelain or melamine one. If you’re wondering what the difference is, so are a lot of other people. It can be puzzling to understand why these products are so different and why porcelain boards are so much more expensive. This article will take a look at the differences between these two whiteboards so that when you need to choose one, you’ll pick the surface style that is best for both your needs and your budget.

Melamine

Most of the inexpensive whiteboards have a melamine surface. Melamine is essentially plastic that’s backed by pressboard. It has a clear-coat surface on which you write. One the benefits of plastic is that it’s inexpensive. It’s good for occasional use, so if you need a whiteboard you’re going to use only once in a while and you’re on a budget, a melamine board is a great choice. However, these products need to be cleaned after almost every use otherwise they will become stained and "ghosted" (a cloudy, streaky residue left behind when erasing). These products also scratch easily and none of them are magnetic. Plus, if you use a permanent marker, your board will be permanently stained, so be sure to use dry-erase markers only if you select a plastic surface.

Porcelain

As the name suggests, porcelain surfaces are ceramic. They are backed by steel, making them extremely durable as well as magnetic, so your whiteboard can double as a bulletin board which can be very convenient. These products do need to be cleaned, but they’re very resistant to staining and ghosting because the ink won’t be absorbed by the glass. Thus, if you want a board for the long haul, a ceramic surface is ideal. You can use a porcelain whiteboard everyday and if you take good care of it, it will still look brand new even after you’ve been using it for years. However, ceramic boards have one drawback in that they tend to be pretty expensive. But chances are you’ll never have to replace it, which can save you money in the long run.