Spas Billiards Pools
Myrtle Beach
843-294-3556

When shopping for pool tables, among the questions that you need to ask should be to know what type of playing surface it has. According to the Billiard Congress of America Equipment Specifications, the most appropriate playing surface should be able to maintain flatness and should not deflect too much. The bed should have a billiard fabric covering made of wool to avoid unnecessary rolling off of the balls. They recommend three pieces of slate that is at least 1 inch thick for tournament sized tables and one-piece slate for home tables.

What is a slate in pool tables?

A slate is a morphed sedimentary rock similar to shale. Because of this, it is often called a metamorphic rock. Its original form as a sedimentary rock morphs into a slate when heat and pressure is gradually applied. The morphing process is a slow one to ensure the right change is made.

Because of the morphing process, the slate now has low water absorption index and, thus, is now resistant to damage from frosting. This is why slates are also used to make tombstones, roof tiles, chalkboards, and pool table playing surface.

There is a wide range of slate resources as it is mined in many cities including Wales, France, Virginia, Vermont, and New York.

What makes slate an exceptional playing surface for pool tables?

According to experts, aside from being highly resistant to frost damage, slate is considered the best choice for a pool table playing surface because of its stability.

You can cut slate into thin sheets or turn it into grains, making it an ideal and affordable choice for a high precision playing surface. Another surface to consider is granite. It has the same qualities, plus more but it is greatly expensive as compared to slate. The primary reason for this is because granite is hard and difficult to cut. Hence, it is expensive to cut and finish unlike slate.

It is important that you know every part of your billiard table. Inquire about each part – from where they are made and why such raw products were chosen – to ensure that you buy the right and most suitable billiard table for your needs without spending more than what you have allotted for this expense.

For more helpful information in buying pool tables, contact a representative from Elko Spas, Billiards, & Pools.

Elko Spas Billiards & Pools
4718 Hwy 17 Bypass South
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 – ‪(843) 294-3556
elkospas.com

Your partners in choosing the right pool tables.

Pool tables are often placed in a game room that already has carpeting. This often poses a huge problem for many homeowners as the carpet messes up the stable leveling of the floor, which is a major requirement for your billiards table to be used most efficiently. Keep in mind that a pool table needs a stable level flooring to position it properly and ensure the game will not be easily disrupted.

This is why having carpeting in your game room creates different challenges in positioning your pool tables.

One of the primary challenges you will face in positioning the billiard table is caused by the foam padding under the carpet. When carpeting is installed in your flooring, foam padding is first laid out. This prevents the carpet from being affected by moisture and other damage from the subflooring. Other parts of your home have thicker foam padding, such as your basement for maximum protection.

The padding makes it difficult for you to establish a level positioning for your table because this is soft and mushy and may take several weeks before it crushes to its final thickness. By this time, it will be easier for you to achieve a level positioning for your table.

On the other hand, when the padding has crushed to its final thickness, it will go back to it its original shape and form even when you removed the furniture that has crushed it. The dent will remain in the carpet and can be an eyesore when you decide to move the billiard table in another room or when you decide to sell the house without the table. To resolve this, your only option would be to replace your carpeting.

Do not, however, replace your carpeting before positioning the billiard table. This process is complicated as the carpet is stretched to remove wrinkles and bumps when it is first installed. Removing this will require stretching the carpet in all four directions moving away from the table, which is not easily accomplished.

Tips in positioning pool tables on a carpeted room

Here are some tips to help you position your billiard table in a carpeted room.

Avoid damaging carpet fibers and leaving marks across the floor, by placing a tarp or heavy cloth on the carpet before dragging or sliding the billiard table to the exact place where you want to place it.

Use wooden shims to help level the table. Note that you will have to make several adjustments before the table is level.

Place a marble in the center of the table to help confirm whether or not the table is already level. If the marble stays in place, then the table is level. If it rolls to a side of the table, adjust the wooden shims to help level the table.

Regularly test the level of your billiard table using the marble until the carpet padding crushes to its final thickness. Keep in mind that the table’s level will continuously change until then. Regularly testing its level and adjusting the wooden shims will help ensure a quality play every time you use your table.

Contact Elko, Spas, Billiards and Pools for more tips and information on positioning your pool tables.

Elko Spas Billiards & Pools
4718 Hwy 17 Bypass South
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 – ‪(843) 294-3556
elkospas.com

Your experts on pool tables.