How To Choose A Bulletin Board

What Are Different Types of Bulletin Boards?

These are the different types of bulletin boards to consider:

Open wall-mounted

As the name suggests, these bulletin boards are permanently fixed to a wall. Due to the permanent fixture, their location becomes a "town square," a meeting place to know about the latest pins on the board and to mingle. Wall-mounted bulletin boards have their distinct advantages:

• People don't have to move from pillar to post to gather information
• Comfortable to read, since these boards are fixed at eye level
• Safe and secure, since they cannot be unfixed easily

There are two disadvantages, though:

• Dust, cobwebs, and bacteria often form on their back side
• The pinned information can be easily misused or stolen

You can mount these boards in two ways - either fix them to the wall with heavy-duty screws or hang them on the wall with hooks or flanges provided at its back.

Wall-mounted bulletin boards will be your choice if your workplace or institute is self-owned, not rented, and if you want it to be the go-to spot for notices and information.

Enclosed wall-mounted

They are usually wall-mounted boards with a single or double hinged glass doors. You can lock the doors, so you would want an enclosed bulletin board if you need the information to be protected and last for long.

The rest remains the same as the open wall-mounted type, including the installation methods.

Freestanding

These are the movable bulletin boards that can be placed anywhere, any time as needed. You will come across these types:

• Collapsible or foldable boards that can be carried easily
• Boards that can stand on two or 3 legs or on stands with wheels
• Flat boards that can rest against a wall

Freestanding bulletin board are often reversible, combining magnetic and cork boards or chalkboard and cork boards.

You will opt for a freestanding bulletin board if you need it to be placed at different places for different purposes such as a notice board, price list, exhibition standee, and the like.

Magnetic

These are the pin-less bulletin boards that hold sheets of paper with their magnetic force. A metal sheet with strong magnets is usually covered with a laminated fabric cloth, on which you could just place papers and the magnets will hold them. So easy! They are especially suitable for temporary displays such as conferences, presentations, training programs, and activity meetings.

For all their ease and convenience, magnetic bulletin boards have a few limitations:

• Indoor-only use - Not safe for outdoor use since very high winds and UV rays can affect the functioning
• Not pilfer-proof
• The lamination on the fabric can peel, crack, or wrinkle over time

Magnetic boards are good for corporate offices, conference rooms, departmental corridors - wherever information needs to be quickly and easily changed.

Magnetic boards at home are great educational resources to use with your kids. With the help of magnetic letters, numbers or shapes you can teach your child new skills. Kids magnetic boards are available in various shapes and, hence can become fun decorative accents in children's rooms.

Cork bulletin boards

These might be considered 'old school' style and offer a soft surface to pin the papers. If you'd like to make them unique and match them with your decor, just paint them in a chosen color. For example, you may use a bright colour to jazz up your space or choose neutral palette for organic interior.

Cork boards are very handy if you have loads of stuff to pin above your desk, however, the main disadvantage of these types of boards is that they will leave pin holes in your pictures or documents.

Cork boards can be of different thicknesses with the preferred one being 1" or more as these types of boards will best hold up the frequent pinning of thumbtacks.

Erasable whiteboards

These are the boards on which you can write, draw or make a point with marker pens.

In these categories you will find bulletin board planners with pre-applied calendar (e.g. four-month planner) that you can fill in with your schedule details. Such boards will help you be on top of your events and appointments.

What Size of a Bulletin Board should I choose?

Below are standard sizes and their recommended uses:

• 20" x 24" this is a personal size ideal for your bedroom or your work cubicle.
• 24" x 24" again, a personal size.
• 36" x 24" for teams and groups at workplaces, classrooms, and Dean's or Principal's office.
• 42" x 32" is the ideal wall-mounted size for offices and public places.
• 48" x 34" is for information that has to be read from a distance of 4'' and it has to be wall mounted.

What Are the Ways to Make a Bulletin Board Attractive?

This is what you can do to upgrade your basic bulletin board:

• Framing: Choose from wood (for traditional, rustic or Mid-Century modern styles), coated metal, aluminum (for industrial or minimalistic decor), or PVC frames (modern kid's rooms). They are available in a wide range of varieties and designs that will make your bulletin board stand out on a wall. For individual innovation, try these easy hacks on the frame:

• Hand-paint the frame the way you want, or use stencils

• Fabric cover: You can cover the board with a piece of attractive fabric and keep changing it periodically for variety.

• For wall-mounted bulletin boards, paint the surrounding wall or write inspiring slogans, quotes, and sayings on it.

Buying a bulletin board need not be boring or mundane. Get the tips from this article and make the purchase exciting and purposeful.