Melamine Vs. Glass in Classrooms
Whiteboards became popular in the ’90s, replacing the dusty blackboards that were a staple in classrooms for nearly two centuries. The new boards, made of melamine, were quiet and didn’t activate allergies or clog the projectors. They looked crisp and neat in front of the classroom, and the markers were smooth and satisfying to use. There’s even a certain ASMR sensation when the felt tip strikes and glides across the board. Whiteboards were easier to read because of their clean white surface. The markers were vibrant and colorful for more expressive illustrations and notes. Plus, they erased with just a few swipes. You could even erase with your hand if you didn’t mind the black build-up on the contour of your hand. Best of all, they were cheap, easy to install, and lightweight. And it made it easy to leave blackboards in the (chalk) dust.
But they weren’t perfect.
After years of use, the cheap materials degrade. The surfaces dulls, making marks fuzzier and difficult to read. They scratch due to improper cleaning and daily student traffic. The boards warp from varying temperatures and exposure to moisture. But the worst offense was the ghosting. No, not the merciless cold shoulder that young people give each other. It’s the marks that eventually seep into the melamine, leaving an ugly stain, rendering the board worn and tired. The ghosting is hard to reverse and requires more elbow grease than they’re worth. The good thing is that since whiteboards were cheap and easy to transport, the school board could replace them. But changing the boards in each room every decade can eat into an already beleaguered school budget.
Thankfully, an even newer whiteboard technology has emerged since then. Rather, it’s an old technology repurposed: the glassboard. Glassboards offer all the benefits (and more) of traditional whiteboards with few drawbacks. The surface is scratch-resistant and stays pristine after decades of hubbub in classrooms. The nonporous surface can’t harbor marker ink (even permanent), so it never stains or ghosts. It never harbors unwanted bacteria, making it more sanitary for facilities like teaching hospitals. It’s made of tempered glass, five times stronger than standard glass. It never warps or degrades. You’ll likely never have to replace a glassboard, barring a freak accident.
Plus, there are endless ways to customize. With glass, you can choose different colored surfaces. Maybe you can bring the hues and tones of nature into the classroom for a biophilic look. Or you can print school colors to show spirit. You can also print logos or mission statements. And since the prints are behind glass, they never degrade or discolor over time.
But glassboards can be heavy and difficult (and pricier) to transport. Thankfully, there are fail-safe ways to hang glassboards in classrooms. And, of course, glassboards cost more. But we contend that you get more bang for your buck. They last longer, and the sleek glass looks stunning in any setting, elevating the aesthetics far beyond traditional melamine boards. Plus, they can withstand the rigors of use in places like locker rooms and gyms—anywhere.
In the end, you get what you pay for. And we think the cost is well worth turning your classroom into a glass room.
