Clarus Glassboards

What is Whiteboard Ghosting?

Team Clarus — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:15:45 +0000

We’ve all used the standard whiteboard and dry erase markers in schools, offices and even our own homes. Whiteboards look great—for the first month or two of use. It doesn’t take long for whiteboards to start staining and “ghosting,” which make the board less legible and more difficult to use. Ghosting is when your dry erase marker ink bleeds into the surface of your board.

Ghosting can be caused by one of four reasons; it can be cause by dirty erasers, by erasing marker that is still wet, by using the wrong kind of marker or by using the board too frequently. There are a few remedies for your ghosting problems, but most are just temporary and will need to be repeated monthly or even weekly, for the entire lifespan of your whiteboard. If you’ve accidentally used the wrong kind of marker on your board, usually rubbing alcohol can reduce the damage. Dampen a cloth with the alcohol and wipe the board in a circular motion. You may need to repeat a few times to get everything off.

Many people have discovered a quick fix for stubborn permanent or dry erase marks on the board. Typically, if you write over the stain with a dry erase marker the chemicals will loosen the stain and can be wiped away while it’s still wet. Be sure to wipe entirely though, as wiping wet marker is one of the ways you can stain your board to begin with. If the dry erase trick didn’t work for you, try a stain remover, and be sure to rinse with clean water and a cloth.

Unfortunately, ghosted boards will only last so long, and the stain removal process can be daunting. When it’s time to start looking for alternative options, you will definitely want a glass whiteboard. Glass whiteboards are made from tempered glass and are up to ten times as strong as regular glass. Their surface is less porous than any of the traditional whiteboards made of porcelain, melamine or plastic coating. These strong surfaces won’t be damaged by harsh chemicals and never have a problem with ghosting.

The glass whiteboard has become popular so quickly because it is durable, sleek and eco-friendly. Not only can you have a whiteboard made of glass, you can also customize it to fit your office or classroom. Do you like the look of blackboards but hate chalk? You can get a black back-painted board and never worry about dust and allergies again. You can also opt for the clear glassboard, which allows you to get creative with your board for holidays and special occasions. No matter what kind of glassboard you choose, you can rest assured that days of ghosting will be far behind you.

About Clarus Glassboards: Clarus is the leading manufacturer and innovator of glass whiteboards and glass visual display products. For more information about clear dry erase boards and our other glass architectural systems, please call 888-813-7414 or visit www.clarusglassboards.com.

Cool Kinds of Glass

Team Clarus — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:33:26 +0000

Glass is a useful and versatile material that’s been around for thousands of years. Glass can be molded, strengthened and colored and is used in our day to day lives. Many people know that glass is made from sand, but not many people know how many kinds of glass there are and what they’re used for. The following are some interesting kinds of glass and how they’re made:

Bulletproof Glass – Also known as ballistic glass, is a very strong but flexible glass that is resistant to penetration of bullets and other forceful blows. Bulletproof glass is made of at least two kinds of glass, one hard and one soft to help make it both elastic and strong. The hardest part in making bulletproof glass is ensuring that the glass doesn’t distort your view. The glass also undergoes a thermal process to strengthen the material. Bulletproof glass is often used in banks, jewelry shops and jails. Most bullet proof glass can be detected by looking at the break, as the stress point of the break shatters more than the rest of the glass, as opposed to fully shattering or cracking.

Laminated Glass – Another kind of safety glass is laminated glass, which holds together when it’s shattered. Laminated glass is held together by an interlayer, between the layers of glass, which holds the glass from breaking into sharp pieces. The interlayer also gives the glass much better sound insulation and blocks 99% UV radiation. Laminated glass is typically used in car windshields, as it prevents shattering in the event of an accident. Laminated glass is often used in geographical areas with hurricane-resistant construction is required. When laminated glass is struck, it often has a “spider web” cracking, since the shards stay in place after the glass is broken.

Tempered Glass – Tempered glass is created through a thermal and chemical process that strengthens the glass. Tempered glass can be anywhere from five to ten times the strength of regular glass. Tempered glass creates balanced internal stresses which cause the glass to shatter into small pebble-like pieces when it’s broken instead of large, sharp shards. Tempered glass is often used in passenger windows of cars, shower doors, glass whiteboards, skylights, and many other products we use every day. Many storefront windows and doors use tempered glass, to protect the public in event of an accident.

Office Upgrade Must Haves

Team Clarus — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:51:40 +0000

Everyone knows that having the right tools can make any job easier, which is why it’s important to upgrade your office every couple of years. Newer software, office supplies and presentation tools can not only help you get the job done, but it can make you feel like a whole new company. Here are some of the best tools to upgrade in 2012:

Software – Having up to date software is one of the best tools you can add to your office. While upgrading an entire company’s software tends to be expensive, it’s usually worth every penny. Do your programs crash often? Is there time being wasted on extra IT and getting kicked off or locked out of your programs? Many companies don’t realize that they’re not only saving time with upgrading their software, but they are creating a less stressful environment for their employees. Having useful and effective tools eliminate frustration and declining office morale.

Chairs – Office chairs are a huge component of the ergonomics of working. Sitting at a desk for over eight hours a day can be extremely stressful on your employees’ bodies, and having uncomfortable chairs can lead to back problems and sick days. Adding in a few new chairs each month can drastically improve office conditions and make your employees more comfortable.

Office Boards – Many companies use whiteboards for office presentations and brainstorming ideas. The problem with whiteboards is that they can get stained and dirty in a very short amount of time. Not only are they unattractive to look at, but many whiteboards can house bacteria and cause sick days. Upgrading to a glassboard is one of the best choices you can make if you need a new board. Glassboards are not only more environmentally friendly, but they never stain and can come in a variety of colors and styles. Adding a magnetic glass board to your office can change the whole look of a room or office and can help your clients and customers see that you’re an innovative and forward-thinking company.

Printer – It seems that every office has one old printer or copier that gives them constant issues. If it’s not running out of ink or eating your papers, it’s probably reading an “ERROR” message or saying it cannot perform the desired function. Every office has one, and it’s a complete waste of your employees’ valuable time. If you can’t quite do away with the mechanical beast, add in a back-up for emergencies. Just a small printer under $100 will do, and your employees won’t find themselves in a bind every time they want to print.

7 Fun Ways to use Dry Erase Markers

Team Clarus — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:48:50 +0000

Dry erase boards are great for classrooms and offices, but dry erase markers can come in handy even if you don’t have a board. Here are some fun ways to use your dry erase markers:

1. Label your foods If you cook more than once a week, you’ll find that labeling your leftovers can be a huge time saver. It’s especially helpful if you plan on freezing leftovers. Labeling your freezer bags and Tupperware with a dry erase marker allows you to re-use these items over and over again.

2. Portable card Do you like to create lists for your day or week? Like having a handy grocery list? Laminating a notecard allows you to reuse your notes without any worry of marker smearing off. You can use your skinny dry erase markers to write as small as you need.

3. Bathroom notes Getting ready for your day typically begins in the bathroom. That’s why so many people enjoy writing themselves inspirational notes or daily reminders on their bathroom mirror. Another cool use for the markers are to write on your shower door if you’re studying or practicing a speech. This allows you to use your shower time to multi-task!

4. Wine Glass Labels Having a fun wine and cheese party or maybe a girl’s night? Wine charms were a big hit for a couple of years; they helped distinguish whose glass was whose. Using a skinny dry erase marker to write your name on the base is a cheap and easy way to keep track.

5. Silly faces Want to get festive? Spruce up your framed pictures by drawing on the glass. You can add a birthday hat and balloons on your child’s portrait or turn them into a scary monster for Halloween.

6. Glass Table For the budding artists, you can transform a glass top dining or patio table into a work of art. Just draw your creation on the underside of the glass and you have a brand new, customized table. If you get bored with it, just wipe it clean and start over.

7. Car Message Leave a message for a friend on their car with your dry erase markers. Dry erase works great on glass, and creates a cool look. You can write them “good luck” messages or put their sports number on their car depending on the occasion. Your options really are endless with these markers!

While it’s fun to play with dry erase markers, they’re best suited for a glass marker board or whiteboard. To learn more about glass whiteboards, visit us at Clarus Boards.

Whats in a Dry Erase Marker?

Team Clarus — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:59:19 +0000

We’ve all used dry erase markers before; the first time it’s like magic—a marker that erases like a pencil! Better yet, you don’t even need an eraser handy. If you need to erase in a hurry, a rag, paper towel or even your hand will do in a pinch. How cool is that? Now that we’ve all used dry erase markers hundreds of times, however, the novelty has worn off. But it’s still always been a question on our minds; what exactly is in a dry erase marker?

Dry erase markers and boards became popular in the mid-1990’s, and were created as an alternative to the chalky, messy blackboards we used for over a hundred years. Dry erase markers are better than chalk in a number of ways; they are unaffected by water, they can be applied to a board using less pressure, and they erase more easily than chalk.

Dry erase markers were made for non-porous surfaces, which is why they work well on mirrors, metals and glass. The ink in dry erase markers is very similar to the ink in permanent markers and it can stain porous surfaces just as easily, if you aren’t careful. The ink is made of color pigments, a chemical solvent and a polymer or “release agent.” The difference between dry erase markers and permanent markers is the kind of polymer used. Permanent markers use an acrylic polymer that helps the pigment stick to surfaces, while dry erase markers use an oily silicone polymer.

The silicone polymer makes dry erase marker ink slippery and prevents the colored pigment of the marker to come in direct contact with the surface. This is why dry erase markers can be wiped off of non-porous surfaces so easily. Also, the solvent in the marker (usually an alcohol) helps the ink dry quickly, which attaches the ink to the surface, not absorb it. Dry ink is easiest to wipe off, since the ink is in place.

Dry erase whiteboards have long been used because they have a slight static charge, which helps the pigment stick to the surface. The only problem with traditional whiteboards is that they can hold onto some of the pigment, creating a ghosted or streaked look after too many uses. Many people are now turning to glass whiteboard, which are tempered for extra strength. Glass works very well with dry erase markers, as it’s a non-porous surface, it can be back-painted any color or left clear for a stylish look and it never stains or gets ghosted by the markers.

What exactly is Tempered Glass?

Team Clarus — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:18:04 +0000

Tempered glass is a very strong and durable material that is often used as safety glass in many kinds of products. Clarus makes their glassboards out of tempered glass, which can be anywhere from five to ten times the strength of regular glass and even a few times stronger than laminated glass. So what exactly is tempered glass, and how is it made?

Tempered glass is made using both chemical and thermal treatments; these treatments help give the glass a more balanced internal stress capability. The thermal process typically used in tempering glass is one that heats, and then quickly cools the glass to harden it. This thermal process also makes the glass much more heat-resistant, which is why companies use tempered glass for coffee maker carafes and the windows in ovens. This glass can withstand very high temperatures before breaking.

Other places you can find tempered glass are in computer screens, LCDs, door windows, skylights and shower doors. The reason tempered glass is considered to be safety glass is not only its strength, but the way it breaks. Tempered glass doesn’t shatter, like regular glass and mirrors do, creating large, jagged shards of glass. Tempered glass will usually break into very small, oval-shaped, pebble-like pieces, without the sharp edges of regular glass.

The tempering process changes the properties of the glass, allowing it to break more safely. This is why most automobiles use tempered glass on their side and rear windows. Many public structures are also required to use tempered glass windows for safety reasons and many eyeglass manufacturers temper their glass using a chemical process, to prevent eye damage if the glasses break.

You can see tempered glass on a car’s back window on a sunny day if you’re wearing polarized sunglasses. You can tilt your head about 90 degrees and see a symmetrical pattern in the glass, which is created during the tempering process.

So why do we use tempered glass at Clarus? Tempered glass is strong, durable and very hard to break. Not only are our boards strong, but they are bolted into the wall so securely that you can literally do pull ups on the glass marker boards without even remotely hurting the board or the wall! Once you have a glassboard, you won’t be buying replacement boards or worrying about ghosting and streaking markers. Clarus boards are sustainable products and are built to last.

Glassboards are the new Whiteboards

Team Clarus — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:16:52 +0000

Whiteboards have been the ideal teaching tool for about the past thirty years. Dry erase markers don’t leave dust everywhere like chalk, they wipe off quickly and can be bought in a variety of colors. For this reason, whiteboards quickly took over in replacing chalk boards over the past three decades. While whiteboards are extremely useful, many people don’t realize how many chemicals and artificial materials are packed into one 6’ by 4’ board. For this reason, glass has become the new whiteboard.

Glass provides the slick and coated texture that allows dry erase markers to wipe away clean, with no ghosting and no streaking. Glass can also be back-painted to match any office or bedroom. Lastly, the best part about buying a glassboard, is that they’re tempered, which makes them extremely strong and durable. If you want to test out glass before buying a board, try using some of these:

Frames Simple picture frames with a colored piece of paper make great mini glassboards. You can test them out and decide if a glassboard is right for you, or you can hang a few around the house in the kitchen, your office and your kid’s playroom to keep everyone up to date and on a set schedule. Once you begin using the picture frame boards, you’ll start to see why glass is the better choice for dry erase.

Glasstop Table Glasstop tables are another great way to test out the look and feel of a glassboard. When working from home, you may be sitting at your dining room table or patio table and need to write yourself a few reminders. Grab a dry erase marker and test it out. You can write yourself reminders on call-backs, meeting times and to-do lists, then wipe it down when you’re ready for dinner!

Mirrors Another great way to test out a glassboard, is to use a mirror. Mirrors, of course, are very similar to back-painted glass and offer the same slick and dense feel of a glassboard. Using a vanity mirror to test out how a glass whiteboard would feel might be ideal, since you get an idea for size, as well as it being affixed to the wall, like a board would be. Many people already use dry erase markers on their mirrors to help remind them of things in the morning or even to write little inspirational sayings that help them get through the day.

The Mobile Whiteboard

Team Clarus — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:42:48 +0000

The whiteboard has changed the way we communicate; we can educate on a whole new level, brainstorm and create without restriction and change our minds in a matter of minutes. The mobile whiteboard helps us take our ideas from room to room, and is great for the cramped home office. Here are just a couple creative ways you could use a mobile whiteboard:

Anatomy – Anatomy teachers are constantly struggling for ways to display the human body. First there was the skeleton, and then there was dissecting, but what if you could “operate” on a real human? One company makes clear mobile boards, up to six feet tall, that you could use for life-sized illustrating. Not only would students enjoy seeing a full-sized drawing, but they can see exactly where each organ is on their own body. It could definitely put a whole new perspective on the subject.

Restaurants – Restaurants tend to carry specialty items and market specials that can vary on a daily basis. While small chalkboards may work for mom and pop restaurants, the trendier, more upscale restaurants may want a glass mobile board to showcase their ever-changing menu items.

Fashion Design – Fashion designers use all kinds of tools before ever thinking about cutting a piece of fabric. For designers, a sketchpad may work well for the conception phase of the process, but a glass board could help you see your design on a real person. Since glassboards don’t streak or ghost, designers could write in permanent markers or even grease pens without worry.

Sports Strategies – The blackboard and whiteboard have long been used by coaches in almost every sport. Whiteboards help a team strategize an attack and create plenty of gameplans. A mobile glassboard can be extremely effective because a coach can wheel it out to the practice field, back into the locker rooms and pack it up and take it home to help plan out the next play.

Home Office – One of the best ways to use your mobile dry erase board is in your home office. Thousands of companies are seeing the benefits in allowing their employees to work from home. One of the only problems with working from home is creating a productive workspace. A mobile glass marker board helps you transform a bedroom or dining room into an office, without leaving anything permanent.

Best Tools for Fashion Designers

Team Clarus — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:32:44 +0000

Breaking into the fashion business can take years of vision, hard-work and working against aggressive competition. One of the best ways to give yourself a competitive advantage is to make sure you’re using the best and most effective design tools. These tools can help you minimize mistakes, cut down on creation time and capture your every idea. Every fashion designer should equip themselves with:

Fashion Dummies – Similar to manikins, a dummy provides the shape of a human’s core. Fashion dummies are a great way to help new designers understand fitting and shaping in dresses and tops. Since the dummies typically come in generic sizes, it’s always best to do a final fitting on your model or subject before sewing.

Sketchpad – A sketchpad is easily a designer’s best friend. Having a large, but portable sketchpad is extremely important for young designers, as they can take them on interviews or design sets. Many budding designers will keep a smaller sketchpad in their purse or satchel, so when they see a great idea they can draw it out and take it home.

Sewing Kit – A sewing kit is a great little tool for new designers. While a sewing machine may be the best way to sew a full outfit, having a small sewing kit handy can help in a bind. A sewing kit can help during shows or photoshoots when an outfit accidentally snags or rips. Another great use for a sewing kit is to add last minute touches on your outfit right before hitting the runway.

Patterns – Any young designer can benefit from using patterns for helping with inseams, waistlines and special sizing. While advanced designers may never touch a pattern, they may help beginners understand sizing and dimensions without having to scrap too much fabric.

Mobile Whiteboard One incredible new product for fashion designers is a mobile whiteboard. One glass whiteboard company, Clarus, makes mobile glass dry erase boards, that are up to six feet tall and have wheels that make it easy to move from room to room. These boards help you sketch with dry erase markers or even permanent markers and grease pens and you can make changes as necessary. The really great part about the mobile whiteboard is that the clear glass allows you to easily get measurements from a real model, and sketch a life-sized image of the clothing.

Best Ways to “Go Green” in your Office

Team Clarus — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:24:03 +0000

“Going green” seems to be the newest trend; you can go green at home, go green in the community and even go green at work. While some people may turn up their nose at this new eco-friendly trend, what they may not understand is that many sustainable living choices save you money in the long-run. Here are some easy tips to turn your office into an efficient and cost-saving “green” space:

Recycling Recycling is an obvious way to start being more environmentally friendly, and there are many ways to get going. Start by placing recycling bins around the office for employees and customers. You wouldn’t believe how many water bottles and soda cans get thrown away every day. Another great way to use recycling is by buying recycled printing paper or paper towels. Lastly, recycle outdated items instead of tossing them; you can recycle old printers, copiers and computers.

Go Paperless Whenever possible, try going paperless. This can help cut down on office costs quite a bit over the course of a year. Allow customers and employees to opt-in to a paperless program and share the savings with them.

Sustainable Products Did you know you can buy environmentally friendly glass glass marker boards and magnetic boards? That’s right, not only can you buy large products like glassboards, tables and chairs, but they even sell environmentally friendly files, folders and post-it notes.

Cleaning Products Cleaning your office with green products not only saves the environment, but you can save money and stay healthier by using green cleaning products. Instead of filling your office with chemicals and odd products, you can even use vinegar or baking soda, which will definitely cut costs.

Telecommute Whenever possible, allow your employees to work from home. Not only are they saving you operating costs of lights, A/C and electricity, but you’re saving multiple car drives to the office. Employees love telecommuting because they can avoid traffic, save time and focus more easily on their work when at home.

Carpooling When you can’t allow your employees to telecommute for the day promote a carpooling program to help save on gas. You can give incentives to employees on top of them benefitting from the gas savings and using the carpool lane.

Video Conferencing Whenever possible, video conference with other offices instead of commuting by car or plane. This will easily save the company hundreds or even thousands of dollars instead of running down a company car or adding travel expenses of a plane, hotel and meals.