There are certainly many things to consider if you are in the market for a pool table. So where to begin? For the purpose of this article we will assume you are looking for a table for your home. There are two fundamental factors that need to be considered. What size pool table and what type of pool table should you buy?
Ok, so when we talk about pool table dimensions we mean the actual space that a table will occupy and not what size the pool table is. There are three main size pool tables; 7 foot, 8 foot and 9 foot. In this case the size refers to the length of the actual playing surface. For example a 7ft pool table typically ranges from 86″ to 88″ in total length. You may wonder what the big deal is but you want to make sure that the pool table you buy fits in the room and gives you sufficient space to draw your cue back without hitting the wall.
So, this brings us to pool table room dimensions. A good rule of thumb is as follows; a 12 by 16 foot room can accomodate a 7ft pool table, a 13 by 17 foot room can accomodate an 8ft pool table, and a 14 by 18 foot room can accomodate a 9ft pool table. Don’t forget that you need to allow for the length of your cue, usually 52″, when playing balls up against the rail.
When it comes to type of pool table there are basically two; slate and non-slate. What we are talking about here is the material that comprises the bed of the table, i.e. what the felt is layed upon. Short answer is that slate tables are extremely durable and smooth, will not warp or sag and can withstand moisture and the odd spill. The benefits of a non-slate table are cost and weight. A non-slate table will easily cost less than half of a slate table and also probably weigh less than half as much as well. Non-slate or MDF tables are prone to warping though so it really comes down to factors like your skill level, how much you plan on using your table and also if your rec room is not too damp.
So as you check out the many tables on the market don’t forget to consider some of these factors.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like...
