Buying a pool table can be a daunting process. That’s why we’ve laid out this handy guide to help you make the most informed purchase. We’ll run through a few considerations to keep in mind, as well as dive into the most important physical characteristics of a table. In the end, we hope to ensure you’re happy with your decision and that you get many years of use out of your pool table.
Pool Table Considerations
What size pool table is right for you?
First and foremost, you need to consider what size table you want to buy. Our most popular size is the 8 foot table, which is one of the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA) approved sizes. The playing surface measures 88″ long by 44″ wide. For a table of that size, you should have a room that measures a minimum of 17 ft. by 13′ 4″ – this will allow for a comfortable playing experience that isn’t hindered by a cramped setting. We also carry 7 foot tables, which you may be used to playing on in your favorite bars or restaurants. Whichever size you go with, we have a variety of colors and styles to accomodate your tastes.
Which style pool table should you choose?
Another consideration to make is what style you’d like to go with. Our tables come in styles ranging from rustic to modern and a variety of options in between. Remember, your pool table is going to be a major focal point of whatever room it goes in. Make sure it’s a piece of furniture that won’t clash with the rest of your decor and that you’ll enjoy looking at for many years to come.
Pool Table Characteristics
There are a lot of pool tables out there available at a wide range of prices. There are lots of bells and whistles and cosmetic apsects of a table that are really up to personal style. There are also a few central characteristics that will have a huge impact on the lifepsan of a table, the quality of play, and the level of enjoyment you’ll get out of it. Here are a few characteristics that we feel are must-haves for your purchase.
Hardwood Construction
The slate alone on a pool table can weigh upwards of 450 pounds. When that kind of weight is placed on top of composites or plastics, the result can be disastrous. As the table and its materials settle, the surface will become impossible to keep level, meaning your games will be ruined by biases towards certain pockets. Hardwood construction can handle the extreme weights involved with billiards slate, so your games will be consistent year in and year out.
Metal On Metal Hardware
In addition to hardwood construction, you’ll also want a pool table that makes use of metal-on-metal hardware. This building method ensures that, as the table ages, your joints will remain rigid and strong. This is especially important if you ever move the table. Solid hardwood construction with metal-on-metal hardware is what we refer to as heirloom furniture – pool tables that can be handed down for generations without a loss of quality.
