If you get the wider board from WallMart be sure the metal screen type surface is flat. I bought one and it had a hump in it and I tossed it out.
I made two bigboard type ironing surfaces. Plywood, batting and silver fabric. Total cost for the two was $35.
I am convinced the less expensive irons work just as good has the higher prices ones. I bought two - one for me and one for my daughter that has the neat little feature of legs popping up. We have been thru 6 and all "dump water like a new born babe"....as someone described the faulty feature. If you are looking for one that doesn't steam like the older irons - the Vermont Country Store in Vermont has them.