Get the Most From Your New Billiards Table

Modern billiards tables can come in a wide range of different shapes, sizes, and designs and with reasonable care and attention they should last for many years to come. By choosing the best table, covering it when not in use, and cleaning the cloth and wood at regular intervals you can help ensure that your new billiard table continues to look its best and keeps table covers offering the best playing experience possible for you, your family, and guests whenever you want a quick game.

Choose The Right Table

Choosing the right table is the first step to a lifetime of enjoyment. There are a number of aspects to consider. While the felt and even the rails, although to a lesser extent, can be replaced if necessary in the future, the bed of the table and the actual legs and frame are considerably more expensive and more difficult to replace. For this reason, you should concentrate on finding billiard tables that use the best materials.

Slate Bed Or Non Slate Bed

Slate bed isn't just considered the best material because of how well it plays but because it will last a lifetime. Where wood and synthetic materials can become damaged even through regular but normal use, slate will not bend, chip, splinter, or warp even following just regular use and a number of people leaning across the table to play long shots. Even liquid spillage will have a considerably less damaging effect, as it will run off the slate without warping.

Table Material

The material used for the construction of the table legs and frame is as important as the choice of bed material. A sub-standard frame will not be able to take the weight of regular use and will certainly struggle under the weight of a good 1" thick slate bed. In contrast, the use of hardwood provides a strong and robust frame and support for the table and users as well as incredible looking designs that you can't get in MDF or synthetic materials.

Caring For The Felt

The cloth is an important part of the billiard table and while you can pay to have a table recovered, doing so on a regular basis will mean that the cost will soon add up. To negate the need to do this, you should look after the felt as much as possible. If your table included a felt cloth then you should use this before and after playing to remove any dirt or other debris that might get caught and rip or otherwise damage the cloth.

Covering Your Table

Another method of felt care is to add an opaque pool table cover when it is not in use. The cover sits over the top of the table and prevents dust and dirt from getting in. A coloured cloth that doesn't allow the light to get through will also prevent the felt from discolouring under bright lights.

Choosing A Billiard Table That Will Last A Lifetime

Strong slate bed tables can be used regularly and routinely for playing any form of pool or billiards. They're strong enough to safely take the weight of a player leaning over to play long shots and they are even resilient to atmospheric changes. Damp, extreme cold and warm conditions table covers will not have the same detrimental effect on a slate table as they would on a wooden table or a synthetic one.