Free Guide to Replacing Pool Table Felt

Understanding Pool Table Felt: What You're Replacing

Pool table felt, also called cloth, covers the playing surface of a pool table and affects how balls roll, how they grip, and overall gameplay. The felt is stretched tightly over a slate or wood bed and fastened underneath with staples. Understanding what you're working with before replacement begins helps you make better decisions about the type of felt to purchase and the difficulty level of the job ahead.

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Pool table felt comes in different qualities and materials. Professional-grade felt, often made from a wool and nylon blend, costs between $200 and $400 for a standard 8-foot table. Lower-cost options made from polyester run $100 to $200. The difference matters because higher-quality felt lasts longer, resists pilling and wear, and provides more consistent ball roll. Budget felt may need replacement in 3 to 5 years, while quality felt can last 10 years or more with proper care.

The color of pool felt varies beyond the common green. Blue, burgundy, black, and gray are popular choices. Some tables use a tight weave, while others use a looser weave. The weave affects how quickly balls travel across the surface. A tight weave slows ball movement, while a loose weave allows faster play. Tournament-quality tables typically use a tighter weave to standardize play across different venues.

Before you begin replacement, inspect your current felt to identify wear patterns. Balls rolling unevenly, visible pilling, stains that won't come clean, or thin spots indicate replacement is needed. Many pool halls replace felt every 1 to 2 years due to heavy use. Home tables may go longer between replacements depending on usage frequency and maintenance.

Practical takeaway: Measure your table's playing surface and note whether it's 7, 8, or 9 feet long before purchasing felt. This measurement determines how much material you'll need and which pre-cut kits are available for your table.

Tools and Materials You'll Need to Gather

Replacing pool table felt requires specific tools and materials to complete the job properly. Having everything on hand before you start prevents interruptions and reduces frustration. Most materials can be found at hardware stores, online retailers, or specialized pool supply shops.

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Essential tools include a staple remover or small pry bar to remove old staples, a staple gun rated for at least 6mm staples, heavy-duty scissors or a utility knife for cutting new felt, and a measuring tape. You'll also need a straight edge or level to ensure the felt sits evenly across the table. Some people find a heat gun helpful for stretching felt during installation, though it's not required for basic jobs. A rubber mallet can help you position felt and secure it before stapling.

Material costs vary based on quality. Budget for the following: new felt ($100 to $400 depending on grade and table size), staples designed for staple guns (boxes of 1,000 staples cost $5 to $15), contact cement or spray adhesive if your table uses glued felt ($10 to $20 per can), and possibly a replacement staple gun if you don't own one ($20 to $50). Protective equipment like work gloves and safety glasses prevents cuts and splinters.

If your table uses a felt bed with a rubber cushion rail system, you may need replacement cushion felt as well. Cushion felt costs less than playing surface felt but still matters for proper ball response. Some tables have felt on all rails, while others have felt only on the top playing rails. Check your specific table model before purchasing.

Consider purchasing felt in a kit designed for your table size. Pre-cut kits include the correct measurements and sometimes include all staples and adhesive needed. Kits cost more per unit than buying materials separately but reduce cutting errors. Some manufacturers offer instruction videos with their kits, which provide visual guidance for your specific table model.

Practical takeaway: Call local pool supply stores to compare prices on felt and staple guns before purchasing online. Shipping can be expensive for bulky materials, and local pickup may save money and time.

Removing Old Felt: Step-by-Step Instructions

Removing old felt is the first stage of replacement. This process involves taking out staples, peeling away the old material, and preparing the slate or wood bed for new felt. Expect this stage to take 2 to 4 hours depending on how well the old felt was installed and how many staples need removal.

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Start by taking clear photos of how the old felt is attached underneath the table. Document the staple pattern, how many staples are used, and whether the felt is glued or stapled. This information helps during reinstallation. Next, clear the table completely of balls, cues, and any other equipment. Lay the table on its side if possible to reach the underside more easily, or work with the table upright if moving it isn't an option.

Use a staple remover or flat pry bar to carefully lift each staple. Work in small sections, removing staples every few inches along the perimeter. As staples come out, gently peel away the old felt. If the felt is glued rather than stapled, you'll need to scrape it away using a putty knife or scraper. This takes patience to avoid scratching the playing surface. For stubborn adhesive, rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover can help, though you must test these on a hidden area first to prevent damage.

Once all old felt is removed, inspect the playing surface carefully. Look for gouges, warping, stains, or damage to the slate or wood. Small dust particles should be vacuumed away thoroughly. If you find dips in the slate using a straightedge, note where they are. These dips may require filler material before new felt is installed. If the playing surface has significant damage, consider professional resurfacing before installing new felt.

For cushion rails, remove old felt using the same staple removal process. Take photos of the cushion structure and how the old felt was wrapped around it. This helps during reinstallation. If cushions are damaged or compressed, they may need replacement along with the felt.

Practical takeaway: Keep removed staples in a container and count them. This number helps you plan how many staples you'll need for reinstallation, as modern staple guns sometimes require slightly different quantities based on their size and design.

Installing New Felt: Proper Technique and Common Mistakes

Installing new felt requires careful measurement, patient positioning, and attention to detail. Improper installation leads to wrinkles, bunching, uneven ball roll, and failed seams. Most first-time installers take 4 to 8 hours for the playing surface, with additional time needed for cushion rails.

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Begin by measuring your playing surface precisely. Measure length and width in multiple places to account for any irregularities. Add 2 to 3 inches to each dimension to provide material for wrapping underneath the table. Cut your new felt slightly larger than these measurements rather than slightly smaller. Excess felt is easier to trim than insufficient material.

Lay the felt across the table, centering it so equal amounts overhang on all sides. Check alignment by looking at the pattern or grain of the felt from multiple angles. The felt should run parallel to the length of the table. Use a straight edge to verify proper positioning. Many installers mark the center of the table and the center of the felt to aid alignment.

Once positioned correctly, begin securing the felt. If using a staple gun, start at the center of one long side, pulling the felt slightly toward you as you staple. Space staples about 4 inches apart. Work outward from this first staple toward the corners on both sides. Next, staple the opposite long side the same way, pulling the felt taut. Finally, staple the short sides.

When you reach corners, fold the felt neatly and staple the corner flaps last. Proper corner folding prevents bunching and creates clean lines. Some installers use hospital corners (folded like bedsheets), while others simply fold the excess and trim. The method depends on your table's design and personal preference.

Common mistakes include stapling too tightly, which can warp the felt and create ridges; not pulling felt evenly, which causes uneven ball roll; and insufficient staples, which allows felt to shift during use. Leave slight slack rather