What size of room do I need for a pool table?

Since most snooker / pool cues are 57" or 58"” in length, at least five feet of space is needed between the table rails and the surrounding walls or furniture. However there are very few recreational rooms that do not have some sort of obstacle that interferes with play.

In some instances a shorter cue stick may enable play around an obstacle or wall. These are available upon request. Because pool tables are available in several sizes we have prepared a chart that shows the recommended room size for the most popular sizes of pool tables.

What should I look for in a pool table?

A pool table is a piece of furniture on which you play games. As such, look for the same things you would look for in fine furniture, then look for those things that impact playability. Fine furniture should be well built, look good, fit the room décor and last generations. Quality construction, slate, cloth, cushions, and installation impact playability. In some cases the appropriate pool table is one without a fine furniture look, but it should still possess the playability factors.

Is a veneer pool table as good as solid wood?

Yes. Veneer provides a highly desirable cosmetic appeal. With a high quality pool table, other woods provide the structure and strength. It is important however, to know what material (wood) is under the veneer. In some cases, only veneer can provide a specific grain pattern. The use of veneer also preserves our natural fine wood resources.

How heavy is a pool table?

A pool table weight will vary between manufacture, style and thickness of slate. A good rule of thumb is to expect the table to weigh between 500-1000 pounds. This is about equivalent to 4-5 men standing in the same room. Better floor support will enhance the playability of the game. Floors that have minimal support will flex slightly as players move around the room. This will impact with the balance of the table over time.

What happens when the pool table is delivered?

The pool table is assembled in the room where it’s installed. (note: we do not include installation within the shipping price - Installers can be found within your local area Free shipping includes only door to door service ..inside delivery is an EXTRA $250.). Some pool tables will arrive in boxes and others have pre-assembled cabinets. The legs are installed. The table is positioned in the exact location of play. The slate is installed and leveled. The cloth is applied across the slate. The rails (with matching cloth) are installed with pockets. Please allow at least two hours for the erection, balancing and marking of your pool table.

What are the differences between 6, 7’, 8’ and 9’ pool tables?

A regulation size table is one where the playing area width is one-half the length, measured cushion to opposite cushion. The 7' table is the most popular. The 6’ table is nice where a 7’ table will not fit, however there is less challenging play. The 9’ table provides more challenge and is thus more fun to play on, however it requires a larger room.

What maintenance is needed for a pool table?

With reasonable care, a pool table should last several generations. The slate will outlast humanity as we know it. The wood components need to be kept dry. Except for cosmetic bumps and scratches, there is little maintenance required. The cloth will need replacement every few years, depending on how much it is played on and how dirty and soiled it gets. There are fabric treatments specific for pool cloth that will extend its life. The cushions will deteriorate about every 10-15 years and need to be replaced. This would also be a good time to replace the cloth, as the existing cloth will have to be removed to get to the cushion rails.

How hard is it to move a pool table?

Depending on the manufacture and style of the pool table, can be difficult or damage the table, if attempted by the homeowner. To properly move a pool table, it should be disassembled, moved, assembled and re-leveled. When a pool table is installed it is made level to earth and each piece of slate is registered to its mate. If a pool table is moved without realignment, it will loose accurate playability and in some cases it will be damaged. The pool table is designed to support its weight and be stationary. Therefore only an experienced pool table technician should move and realign the table.

Why do some pool tables cost more than others?

Buying a pool table is like buying fine furniture. In general, higher priced pool tables have more carving or intricate details. Other factors that impact the price are construction quality, wood species used, finish, pockets and other options. Its important to note that the price does not necessarily translate to a better playing pool table.

What makes slate play surface better than other materials?

Slate is a natural stone, known for its strength and stability. It has become the primary material used for pool table playfields because it reliably provides good playability for many years with no maintenance. It is unaffected by temperature and humidity like many of the other materials used on low quality pool tables, such as wood, particle board, and other synthetics.

What is the difference in cloth grades?

There are two basic grades of cloth for a pool table. The pool table ‘felt’ is not felt at all, but rather a woven fabric.

Some cloths are available with a wool / nylon blend, with speed cloths normally developed in this way. These cloths would tyopically comprise of about 80% wool and 20% nylon content.

100% English wool cloth is also available and is fitted to all new pool tables as standard. This cloth would also be used on snooker tables.

The higher grade cloth has a higher thread density, allows the ball to move about 8% faster and provides greater durability. The color of cloth is cosmetic. The only color concern has to do with color blindness. It may be difficult to differentiate the ball colors against certain colors of cloth if one is color blind.