Frequently Asked Questions

What size of room do I need for a pool table?
Since most cue sticks are 57” in length, at least four feet of space is needed between the table and walls or furniture. However there are very few recreational rooms that do not have some sort of obstacle that interferes with play. Nevertheless, the game is still enjoyable. 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 (click here) that shows the recommended room size for the most popular sizes of pool tables.

What determines the quality of a pool table?
Quality begins with the frame. A solid wood frame is considered best on a pool table. The attachment of legs to the frame should be appropriate. The playfield should be diamond-honed and registered slate. The rails should be solid wood. The cushion should be a full K-66 profile with canvas backing. There are many other factors that determine quality. Please contact us for a free E-book that tells the rest of the story.

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. 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. The veneer is only for that special cosmetic appeal. 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.

What happens when the pool table is delivered?
The pool table is assembled in the room where it’s installed. 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. Then everyone smiles and begins to play pool.

What are the differences between 7’, 8’ and 9’ pool tables?
According to the Billiard Congress of America (BCA) specifications, a regulation size table is one where the playing area width is one-half the length, measured cushion to opposite cushion. The 8’ table is the most popular. The 7’ table is nice where an 8’ 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.

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 750-1000 pounds. This is about equivalent to 4-5 American 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 the table levelness.

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 dings and scratches, there is little maintenance required. The cloth will need replacement every few years, depending how dirty and soiled it gets. There are fabric treatments specific for pool cloth that will extend its life. The cushions will deteriate about every 10-15 years and need to be replaced. This would also be a good time to replace the cloth, also. That’s about it.

How hard are they to move?
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 mechanic should move and realign the table.

What is the difference in cloth grades?
There are two basic types of cloth for a pool table and many grades within each type. The pool table ‘felt’ is not felt at all, but rather a woven fabric. A wool/nylon blend billiard cloth is generally considered best. Nothing has proven to wear better than wool and nylon and still maintain the professional playability. Usually a cloth with about 80% wool and 20% nylon content is desirable. The higher grade cloth has a higher thread density, allows the ball to move about 8% faster and provides greater durability.

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.

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 color cloth can I get on my pool table?
It used to be that pool tables were like putting greens—the greener the better! Today you can get just about any color cloth you’d like, including specialty designs and customized table cloth with logos or even your favorite photos! Cloth not only varies in color but in quality as well. We’ll help you choose the cloth that is right for your table. There is a rainbow of colors to select from. A popular option is to cover the table with one color and the rails with another color.

Where should I hang my light?
Generally 31-35” from the table’s playing surface to the bottom of the fixture’s shade. This translates to about 61” to 66” from the floor. The exact height is not a critical issue. A basic rule is to hang lighting so that the bottom of the fixture is at the nose height of the tallest person usually playing on the table. It is important to have three lamps for an 8' pool table and four lamps for a 9' pool table. This will eliminate potential for shadows and provide coverage for the entire table.