Building White Erase Boards with Frames and Trays

White erase boards are common in schools and children's bedrooms. They can take up a door or an entire wall and help children to learn or remember important appointments. They are equally as practical in business. If you work in a visual industry, then it is easy to quickly brainstorm, make lists or sketch out ideas without wasting paper. Follow the simple steps below to build a white dry-erase board for your own home, perfect for writing reminders and notes to yourself, partner or children.

Step 1 – Decide on a Size

The advantage of a homemade white board is the fact that you can make it any size you want to fit your wall. The board in this article will be a relatively small board, measuring 8x6 inches.

Step 2 – Get the Plexiglas

Although there are many different materials to choose from such as glass and dry erase sheets, Plexiglas is the best quality for the price. You can purchase it pre-cut from most DIY stores.

Step 3 – Paint it White

To begin creating your white erase boards place an old sheet on the floor in a well ventilated area and lay the Plexiglas on top with the back facing upwards. Gently sand the back of the Plexiglas so that it is slightly rough. Next, spray the white spray paint on the Plexiglas making sure you cover the entire thing evenly and leave to dry. When using spray paint it is important to remember to wear a mask and hold the spray paint can at least 12 inches away from the surface you are spraying.

Step 4 – Create the Frame

The frame will be constructed out of wood measuring 1x10 inches wide and 1 inch deep, with a 45-degree angle cut at each end. To make these cuts, mark out where they will be with pencil and cut using a circular saw. You need to add a groove in the base of each piece of wood, it should be ½-inch deep and equal to the width of the Plexiglas.

Step 5 – Attach the Frame

First, slide the individual piece onto the edges of the Plexiglas. Second, secure the frame together using staples over the joints on both the front and the back of the white erase boards.

Step 6 – Build the Tray

The tray is simply a shallow box attached to the board allowing you to store board pens and erasers. Simply use a block of wood with the following dimensions: 6 inches long, 2 inches wide and 1½-inch high and chisel a groove out of the block measuring 4 inches long, 1 inch wide and ½-inch high. This groove will stop your pen from rolling out and the eraser can be placed on top.

Step 7 – Attach the Tray

You will adhere the tray to the bottom of the frame using wood glue. To keep it secure, use a nail gun to nail the two together.

Step 8 – Mount the Board

To mount the white board, first drill two long screws through the top two corners of the board and place a bolt at the end. Second, get a piece of string and tie one end around one screw and the other end round the other. Third, mount a picture frame hook onto the wall by hammering a nail through the small hole. Finally, hang the white erase board using the string.