Whiteboards 101: Magnetic vs Non-Magnetic - Choosing the Right Size and Finish for Classrooms

by Paul Howe

Whiteboards 101: Magnetic vs Non-Magnetic - Choosing the Right Size and Finish for Classrooms

Choosing a whiteboard sounds simple until you're faced with the options: magnetic or non-magnetic, gloss or matt and a size range that stretches from compact A4 boards to wall-spanning 240cm x 120cm panels. Get it right and you'll have a durable teaching tool that lasts for years. Get it wrong and you'll be dealing with ghosting, glare or a board that's simply the wrong fit for the room.

This guide breaks down the key decisions so you can specify with confidence.

Magnetic vs Non-Magnetic: What's the Difference?

Magnetic whiteboards have a steel-backed writing surface that allows you to attach magnets, making them ideal for displaying printed resources, timetables, student work or visual aids alongside written notes. They're particularly useful in primary classrooms, staffrooms and any space where teachers want to combine writing with physical materials.

Non-magnetic whiteboards use a lighter-weight backing (typically MDF or laminate) and are a cost-effective option where magnetic functionality isn't needed. They're a popular choice for smaller spaces, mobile boards or budget-conscious departments equipping multiple rooms.

Quick decision guide:

  • Need to display printed materials, charts or student work alongside writing? Go magnetic.
  • Primarily used for writing, diagrams or as a secondary board? Non-magnetic is a cost-effective choice.
  • Equipping a whole school or MAT? Consider a mix - magnetic for primary teaching walls, non-magnetic for smaller secondary or breakout spaces.

Choosing the Right Finish

The writing surface finish affects both performance and longevity:

  • Standard dry-wipe finish: Good all-round performance for everyday classroom use, smooth erasing with standard whiteboard markers.
  • Colourwipe™ finish: A coloured dry-wipe surface that reduces glare and eye strain compared to traditional white boards - particularly valued in SEN and early years settings where sensory considerations matter.

If you're equipping a SEN classroom or a space with large windows and glare issues, a coloured finish is worth considering over standard white.

Choosing the Right Size

Whiteboard size should be driven by the room and how the board will be used, not just the wall space available.

  • 60cm x 45cm: Ideal for small group work, breakout areas or as a personal/teacher planning board.
  • 90cm x 60cm: A versatile mid-size option for smaller classrooms or as a secondary board alongside an interactive screen.
  • 120cm x 90cm: A popular standard size for primary and secondary classrooms - large enough for full-class visibility without dominating the wall.
  • 150cm x 120cm and above: Best suited to larger teaching spaces, lecture halls or where the board is the primary teaching surface.
  • 240cm x 120cm: A statement-size board for assembly halls, large lecture theatres or shared teaching spaces.

A simple rule of thumb: the board should be comfortably readable from the back row of the room. If students at the back are squinting, the board is too small - or too far away.

Fixed vs Mobile

For classrooms with a single dedicated teaching wall, a fixed wall-mounted whiteboard is the standard choice. For shared spaces, training rooms or rooms used for multiple purposes throughout the day, a magnetic mobile whiteboard on castors offers the flexibility to move the board where it's needed - and to wheel it away when it's not.

Final Thoughts

The right whiteboard comes down to three questions: do you need magnetic functionality, what finish suits the space and its users, and what size matches both the room and how it'll be used. If you're equipping multiple rooms or an entire site and want help specifying a mix that works across different spaces, our team is happy to advise - just get in touch.

Back to Posts
}