A pool table is a great source of entertainment and a centerpiece of any home. There are many reasons why an owner may want to refelt their billiards table:

– Loose or torn felt: Normal wear and tear will eventually cause the felt to become loose or tear in places. A rip-free, smooth table makes all the difference in playing billiards so a recover should be done any time there is a noticeable blemish.

– Change in color: Most pool tables have the standard green color that was a popular choice when pool tables were first available but now the owner of a billiards table can match the felt to the décor of their home or their favorite color.

– Time: Pool table felt normally lasts 5 to 15 years in the home depending on usage. If it has been more than 15 years, it is time to have it recovered. Pool tables in bars and pool rooms need annual refelting.

 

 Types of Pool Table Felt

Pool table cloth is made from a combination of wool and nylon, or wool and polyester. It is the way the cloth is woven, the quality of the wool, and the manufacturing process that separates different brands and styles of cloth for a pool table.

Pool table cloth is generally referred to as either woolen or worsted cloth. These are two common types of wool yarn and both have specific characteristics that make them unique.

– Woolen Cloth: This is the “felt” than many people are familiar with. It is usually thick and heavy, comprised of at least 60% wool, and has that familiar “felt” feel when you touch it. It is considerably less expensive, and most commonly found on home pool tables and on coin-operated tables that you find in many bars and recreational facilities. Billiard balls will generally roll much slower on woolen cloth. Pilling, the shedding of the cloth into tiny little fuzzy bits, is common with this type of cloth, and therefore not allowed for use in any WPA sanctioned tournament. This type of cloth is usually recommended for casual play situations.

– Worsted Wool: Worsted cloth is used primarily in professional tournaments, in pool rooms that host league and tournament play, and by discerning home owners looking for a high quality billiards gaming experience. Worsted cloth generally doesn’t “pill” like a woolen cloth will. Because worsted pool table cloth is generally made from the best quality combed wool found in the world, and manufactured on highly specialized machinery built specifically to produce top quality billiards cloth, it is usually much more expensive than its woolen counterpart, but also delivers a much higher level of response for more consistent and accurate play.

– Snooker Cloth: Snooker cloth is commonly referred to as “nap” cloth, meaning it is directional and the fibers of the cloth point in one direction. If you run your hand along the cloth towards the top of the table it feels smooth, however when you rub your hand in the opposite direction it feels rough. It is thick, heavy, and made from 100% wool.

– Carom Cloth: Carom cloth is usually a worsted cloth, but made even thinner to facilitate even more speed for the larger table and numerous bank shots required to score.

 

 

Proper installation of your cloth can prevent premature wear. You can count on C.P. Dean, who have serviced pool tables throughout Virginia for well over 100 years, to get the job done right. Contact us at (804) 355-6588 or contact C.P. Dean online!