Q: Is it better to put a pool table on carpet or hardwood floors?
8′ Axton Pool Table – Gunmetal Grey with Low Sheen Black
The short answer, hardwood floors but you can still install a pool table on carpet or a rug with a few caveats. As you well know, a stable foundation is essential to properly leveling a pool table (and keeping it level for that matter). For this reason, we always recommend installing pool tables on hard surfaces like wood or concrete. If renovating the flooring in your game room isn’t an option, you can still install your table on top of carpet without any major problems by following these rules.
*In order to install your pool table correctly, you will need to know how to properly level a pool table. Make sure you have a firm understanding before reading this article.
Installing a Pool Table on Carpet
First, understand that all carpet (even thin carpeting) normally rests on some type of foam padding. It does two things; protects your carpet from collecting moisture beneath the surface and adds added comfort.
Over time, the padding on your carpet will compress under the weight of your pool table. Slate tables usually weigh over 500 pounds. This can happen in a few days or a couple of weeks. When this happens, your table will sink in certain areas while not so much in others, creating an unleveled table.
To correct this, you’ll have to level your table out occasionally until the padding settles and is completely compressed. Keep this in mind when deciding where to put your pool table. Choosing to rearrange it in your game room later on will start this process all over again.
It may take a few weeks or even a few months for your pool table to level out. Continue to adjust and tweak the table and check to make sure that everything is in order. There’s no hard and fast rule on how long it takes so the best advice is to do it once a week until you don’t notice any inconsistencies for a few weeks in a row. Following this, it’s best to check the tables’ alignment from time to time (every few months) just to be safe.
Installing a Pool Table of Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring is a better solution for pool tables but you’re not completely off the hook. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause your flooring to shrink and expand slightly. This can be enough to throw off the alignment of your table.
Some people don’t like sliding wooden or metal shims between their table and their hardwood flooring because it might scratch. It’s not uncommon for people to place area rugs in between their pool table and hardwood or even concrete flooring (like in the garage). This is a matter of choice and can definitely help preserve the integrity of your floor. Check out this thread on AZ Billiards; to each his own.
[READ: What is the Best Size Pool Table to Have?]
Conclusion
So what have we learned? Carpet okay, wood better. You can install your pool table on top of a carpet or rug but you’ll have to adjust it periodically. Although hardwood flooring offers some instinctive benefits, it’s still not bad to install a pool table on carpet. Either way, you’re going to have to adjust and re-level the table at some point in time and this is just good pool table upkeep and maintenance.
William from Ohio sent us these pictures of his new 7′ Reno Billiards Table that was delivered as described!
Additional Resources:
- How to Properly Level a Pool Table
- How to Replace Pool Table Cushions in 1 Hour
- How to Assemble a Pool Table
- How to Change Felt on a Game Table
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