Product Comparison

1) How do walltalkers® products compare to melamine and porcelain?

Melamine is mainly used for small "throwaway" type boards found at office supply and discount stores. Melamine is either a sprayed on or coated plastic surface on 1/8" or 1/4" hardboard. It is also available as a high-pressure laminate (similar to Formica® countertop). Melamine can stain easily, and certain chemicals may damage the surface. Permanent markers usually cannot be removed from the surface. Melamine is meant to be an inexpensive surface that can be thrown away. It rarely is used in full wall applications, and it is usually framed with wood or aluminum trim. Standard melamine sheet size is 4' x 8', but it is available larger.

Porcelain is used in virtually all types of installations, from schools to corporations. Porcelain is produced as a chalkboard or a markerboard finish. The finishes are produced by coating a ceramic (glass) finish to a steel sheet and baking it (similar to a charcoal grill or sink finish). There are more colors available with the chalkboard finish. Dry erase porcelain is available in white, beige, and gray (custom colors can also be produced). Since it is glass, porcelain can chip if it is cut or sheared. This chipping will not allow for clean seams. Seams are typically finished with an unattractive H-Bar molding. The main advantage that porcelain offers is that it is highly scratch-resistant and has a “lifetime of the building” guarantee. Porcelain is available in four-foot widths. Some manufacturers offer boards up to 4' x 16', but these are difficult to ship.

Advantages of walltalkers over melamine and porcelain include:
1) walltalkers seams are virtually invisible
2) walltalkers can be shipped in a small container and will fit in any elevator
3) walltalkers products feature long, seamless surfaces
4) walltalkers provides the ability to cover complete walls

2) Can you project on melamine or porcelain?

Yes, but you will see a definite "hot spot" or glare. This "hot spot" can be described as the concentrated bright spot on the surface. Walltalkers' does not have a hot spot or glare when projecting. Erase•rite® will have a very slight glow when it is used as a projection screen. Just•rite®, and mag•rite® have a slightly lower gloss than porcelain. Ez•rite®, koro•rite®, and melamine have similar gloss levels (high) that lower projection quality.

3) Who generally purchases porcelain products?

Porcelain is used in all dry erase applications. It is typically not used for smaller boards (under 3' x 4') unless these boards are installed as part of a contract with other boards. Porcelain chalkboards are typically used in grade and middle schools. Markerboards are becoming the surface of choice for all grades, including colleges, with the use of more and more computers in classrooms.

For more information on walltalkers® dry erase wallcoverings, contact us today or call 800-820-9255.