What Are Pool Tables Made Of?

The game of pool, a popular pastime for amateurs and professionals alike, has been around for a great many years. While pool tables have undergone many face lifts and changes over the years, their simple exterior belies the relatively complex assembly of parts that makes up this playing board.

The Frame

The frame of a pool table, or the actual "table" part, is made out of a variety of materials. The legs, rails (the outside of the table) and the support of the playing area are usually made of wood, but heavy plastics and metals are not uncommon in smaller pool tables, usually meant for children.

The Cushion

The inside of the rails of a pool table are usually cushioned by thick pads of rubber so that the billiard balls will rebound. This rubber is usually of the elastic variety, and can be vulcanized.

The Cloth

The cloth that covers a pool table is a very specific variety of cloth usually mislabeled as felt. Billiard cloth is made from a wool/nylon blend called baize.

The Playing Field

Between the cloth and the support of the table is a long sheet of quarried slate. Though other materials have been used, slate is still the most common.

The Pockets

Depending on the pool table, there may be different materials used in construction of the pockets. Woven sacks might dangle from the pocket to hold the balls, or there might be hollowed tracks in the table itself that funnel the balls to one area.