Whiteboard vs blackboard: which is right for you?

Both boards do the same job, writing that can be wiped and rewritten, but they suit different rooms and budgets.

Whiteboards - Written on with dry-erase markers - No chalk dust, which suits offices, computer labs and anyone with allergies - Colours stand out clearly, good for diagrams and presentations - Markers cost more than chalk and dry out if left uncapped

Blackboards - Written on with chalk, which is cheap and lasts - Chalk dust needs regular cleaning and is kept away from computers and electronics - Easy to read in bright rooms, with no glare - A familiar choice for many schools, and for menu and price boards in shops and cafés

Which to choose - Schools on a tight running budget, or rooms without electronics: a blackboard keeps the running cost low. - Offices, meeting rooms, labs and clinics: a whiteboard is cleaner. - Shops and cafés: a blackboard for menus and prices gives a classic look.

Many schools use both: a blackboard in classrooms and whiteboards in staff rooms and labs.

Both come in the same sizes, with the same PVC frame, black corner caps and hanging hooks.