Things To Consider When Buying An Outdoor Pool Table

These days, an ideal backyard space goes beyond growing a healthy lawn without harsh chemicals or maintaining an attractive garden. Many homeowners are adding other features to their yards to accentuate the concept of outdoor living. This can involve moving some activities you might find indoors to your backyard area, including playing pool. Adding an outdoor pool table to your yard is very realistic, but you cannot just place an indoor type outside. Instead, you'll need to purchase a pool table made specifically for the outdoors, and before you do this, you'll need to consider specific features that will help maintain both its durability and functionality as well as the overall dimensions and playing space.

First, make sure that a prospective outdoor pool table is truly made for being outside. Indoor pool tables contain a variety of materials that can get damaged by the sun, precipitation, and temperature fluctuations, so these should never be placed outside. Choose a table that is constructed with weatherproof materials, such as waterproof coatings and UV ray-resistant surfaces. Aluminum, slate, and marine-grade wood are all examples of materials that can withstand outdoor weather conditions. Additionally, a nylon cloth works well as a playing surface because it is more likely to withstand water and other elements compared to a felt one. It can also be helpful to have drainage holes in the pockets so water and debris do not accumulate. Even with all of these features, an outdoor pool table must be maintained with regular dusting and cleaning, and it should be covered when not in use.

Whether you're playing a game of pool with family or friends or perhaps practicing your skills in between games on your own, you will need to have enough space without feeling confined. As such, you will need to determine the size of your backyard and whether it can currently accommodate a pool table. You can consider using the best method for measuring the square footage of your lawn. As a rule of thumb, experts recommend that you allow for 5 feet of free space or more on all four sides of the table. This not only allows for a more comfortable shooting space, but it also adds some peace of mind. Ensuring there is enough space in your yard for a pool table may also reduce the risk of needing to fix cracked glass when a ball gets loose, and you might also decrease injuries to others in your outdoor space who might be enjoying other activities.

Most outdoor pool tables are 6 to 9 feet long, so you will need to measure your patio or other designated space in your yard to determine the best dimensions. If you want to have a larger playing area but are limited on space more generally, consider a convertible table. Depending on the style, these can double as other playing tables, such as table tennis, or they can be used as dining tables. A collapsible or mobile pool table is another option you might consider to help save space when you're not using it.