When you have a covered patio or garage, you may be tempted to put a pool table outside in one of these locations. While you are free to place your pool table anywhere you like, there is some essential information you need to know before doing so.

Why You Shouldn’t Keep a Pool Table Outside

If you do a search about putting a pool table outdoors, you will get mixed results. Some posts say you can, and others say you should not. With almost 100 years of pool table experience, we highly recommend never keeping an indoor pool table in an outdoor environment.

Indoor tables are made with hardwoods, felt, and other materials that can easily be damaged by extreme temperature changes, high humidity, rain, and snow. Therefore, indoor pool tables require a controlled indoor environment with a constant temperature and low humidity levels.

In addition, owning an indoor pool table is an investment. Most handcrafted tables will last for generations when used indoors. However, if you put it outdoors or in your garage, your table will quickly wear out and need to be replaced.

That being said, there are specialty outdoor pool tables designed to be used outside or in your garage. Interestingly, the only similarity to indoor tables is that outdoor tables should also use slate beds.

Slate is a naturally occurring material that is weather and temperature resistant. So, it makes the perfect bed material to use in outdoor tables.  

Why Outdoor Pool Tables Are Better in All Weather Conditions

Outdoor pool tables are designed using weather-resistant, waterproof, and UV-resistant materials, such as heat-treated powder-coated aluminum, Sunbrella fabrics, and vinyl pockets. In addition, these materials are able to withstand extreme temperature changes.

However, the difference in materials can affect gameplay. So, if you already have an indoor table and get an outdoor one, you will notice there is a difference in how the balls move.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Pool Table Looking New

Even though outdoor pool tables are designed to stand up to the elements and extreme temperatures, you still need to care for them to ensure they last. Ideally, when selecting an outdoor space for your table, choose one that is covered.

A covered area ensures you can enjoy playing pool, rain or shine. Plus, it limits the amount of exposure the table receives. Therefore, it will last longer than an outdoor table in an uncovered area.

Other things you should do to keep your table looking new include:

• Regularly clean the pool table to keep dirt and dust off it.
• Allow the felt to fully dry if it gets wet.
• Ensure the water drain holes in the pockets do not get clogged with dirt, dust, or debris.
• Never store items on top of the pool table.
• Store billiard balls and cue sticks indoors when you are not playing.
• Remove heavy snow accumulations from the tabletop in winter.
• Always use an outdoor waterproof cover when the table is not being used.

What Type of Table Cover Is Best for an Outdoor Pool Table?

Unlike indoor tables, where you just need to cover the top of the table, outdoor tables need to be fully covered. You also need a thicker cover to protect the table. You need to cover the table’s top, sides, and legs.

For example, some people use a thick table cover over the playing surface. Then they use a second thick outdoor cover to cover the entire table. It never hurts to have added protection over the playing surface.

Where Can I Purchase an Outdoor Pool Table?

When you want to take your pool game outdoors, you can purchase a completely weather-proof pool table made by the pool table experts at Blatt Billiards. All of our outdoor pool tables are custom-built to order using the same craftsmanship and attention to detail we use for our indoor tables.

We also offer custom-built combination tables that provide you with a combination outdoor pool table and outdoor dining table or an outdoor pool table, outdoor ping-pong (table tennis) table, and outdoor dining table.

No matter which table you select, our outdoor tables are 100 percent resistant to all the elements and types of weather, including sun, rain, and snow. Explore our outdoor pool table designs and contact us at 212-674-8855 to order your custom-built outdoor table today.