Are you looking to buy your first pool table, and you’re not sure which colour felt to go with? Or, perhaps you’re looking to replace your current felt with a type more suited to your needs? At Hamilton Billiards, we supply and manufacture a wide selection of pool tables in various designs and colours to match your style and function requirements. Using our expertise, we’ve put together a short guide, with some points to consider when choosing the felt that’s right for your table.
Choosing felt colour
While the colour of your pool table felt may seem like a trivial, unimportant choice, it can drastically affect your gameplay.
Black felts may look suave, smart and fit with your decor, but they can be impractical and a nightmare to play on. This is because black, and other dark colours like navy and charcoal, can cause the shadows of the corner pockets to blend into the rest of the table, making the pockets hard to see, and ultimately making shots a lot harder.
On the flip side, choosing colours that are too bright can also pose an issue. If your pool table lights are harsh and bright, combining them with a bright felt can bother your eyes. Some players have even reported getting headaches from the brightness. If you have bright lights, consider more muted colours, such as burgundy reds or darker greens, instead of a bright orange or yellow.
It’s also worth considering which colours will hide general wear and tear more. For example, green is a popular colour, as it hides marks better than other shades, meaning scuffs and tears will be less visible than they may be in other shades.
If you’re still not sure on what colour to choose, why not visit a showroom? This way, you’ll be able to see what different colours look like different under lights, and see the colours in real life, as some may look different in pictures. The typical colour for UK pool tables is green, while American pool tables are often jewel-blue (this is what American pros play on, as the colours and pockets are vivid). That being said, you don’t have to stick with traditional colours, you have full creative control.
It may seem like a lot to consider, but ultimately, as long as your colour isn't too bright or too dark, you’ll be fine. Try taking into account your room’s décor, and what colours would go well with it, while also allowing for good gameplay. We have a variety of different table colours and styles, as well as fully customisable pool tables for sale, so the sky is the limit!
Choosing a cloth type
The type of cloth used can completely alter the way the game is played. While thinner cloths allow the balls to maintain a lot of momentum, they also require more maintenance and need to be replaced more frequently than thicker cloths.
In the UK, most pool tables use standard-grade felt, which is napped in a single direction, giving the cloth little ‘hairs’. The tiny hairs create friction between the pool balls and the felt, causing the balls to roll slower and with less accuracy. British pubs use thick felt, as it can last a long time with heavy daily use.
American pool tables often use professional-grade worsted wool, known as ‘speed’ cloth, which is a smoother, harder, tightly woven fabric. Speed cloth has no nap, allowing the balls to roll faster and more accurately, which in turn makes it easier to play on. Although you may choose to stick with the regular felt for your table type, you can always switch things up and put professional-grade felt on a UK pool table or vice versa.
If your pool table is outside, you will need to use a more durable felt to keep it protected from moisture and heat. Most heavy-duty felts are made from strong, acrylic fabrics which are fade and water-resistant.
Though it may seem like speed cloth is a better option for your table, standard-grade felt is recommended for casual players, as it’s easier to maintain.
We hope that these tips have been helpful in your search for the perfect felt for your pool table. Be sure to browse our site to see beautifully crafted tables, like our Buffalo Napoleon American Pool Table or Broughton Pool Table.