What Material Do They Use to Make Pool Tables?

Pool playing began in Europe but the exact date is unclear. It appears to be an indoor version of croquet. The first documented pool table was constructed for King Louis XI of France in 1471. Between 1800 and 1850, the Billiards Congress of America (BCA) established some standards, a slate table bed is one of those standards.

Slate

Slate is a heavy, stable foundation for a pool table bed.

Slate is the most common pool table top base material, the most common source being Italian slate. The table is usually constructed with three equal-size pieces of slate mounted tightly to a wooden structure. This allows for shimming to maintain a smooth, level surface.

Wood

Usually even high grade plywood is too irregular to make a good pool table bed.

Wood was the major material for pool table bases until the 1800s. Using wood, even plywood, created many problems for a pool table and its use. Warping and chips are the major source of roughness and irregularities with wood table bases. Since the change by the BCA to slate, wood has only become the material used by hobbyists not wishing to pay for the more expensive slate.

Composites and Synthetic Slate

Many alternatives are available for pool table beds.

There have been several attempts to make pool table beds with a honeycomb pattern plastic and synthetic slate. These have not gained official sanction and often have a shorter life span then a traditional slate bed pool table. The major reason to use alternative materials is to save money in the original purchase.