Considering its location, a pool table’s felt takes the brunt of gameplay wear and tear from cue stick scrapes to ball friction to light exposure and more. As a result, it isn’t uncommon for a well-used pool table to need refelting, but at what cost?
Here’s a quick rundown of the average cost for refelting a pool table:
| Table Size | Average Refelting Cost |
| 7 feet | $265 to $450 |
| 8 feet | $270-$500 |
| 9 feet | $280-$560 |
However, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on various factors, the most common being size.
This article will break down the average costs of pool table refelting in terms of what factors contribute to the overall number and if the investment is worthwhile. So, if you’re considering getting your pool table refelted through a professional service, we encourage you to read on.
Average Cost to Refelt a Pool Table
The iconic colored felt on a pool table is one of its most distinguishable characteristics, but when this vibrant color fades and is interrupted by various tears and scratches, it’s time for an upgrade. There are many professional services that will refelt a pool table, but each has its costs.
On average, refelting a pool table will cost owners anywhere from $265-$560, depending on the service of their choice, the material they use for felting, and the table’s size. Additional restorations or replacements connected to this task will also contribute to the overall cost.
Typically, a portion of this cost is the price of the felt material itself, and the rest is an hourly cost of labor, which typically ranges from $125-$280 or more, depending on the company.
Refelting the average pool table takes at least two hours, with larger tables taking longer, so labor is often the bulk of the refelting cost. However, there are several other factors that will play into how much refelting your pool table will cost.
Factors that Contribute to Pool Table Refelting
Before you pay for any professional service, it’s always important to know exactly what all of your money is going towards. We’ve already mentioned that the cost of labor per hour accounts for a significant percentage of the refelting cost, but other factors come into play, namely:
- Table size
- Felt material
- Refinishing/ additional replacements
Table Size
As you can see from previous estimates, the size of your pool table plays a large role in the cost of its refelting because this will dictate how much material you need and how long it will take the service to complete the task.
Unsurprisingly, refelting a large 9-foot table will cost more than a small 7-foot table, with the larger size cost about $280-$560 and the smaller costing about $265 to $450. Pool tables measuring 8 feet in length sit nicely in the middle with an estimate of $270-$500.
Of course, there is much overlap in these estimates, which brings us to the next most influential factor.
Felt Material
The word “felt” is a catch-all term used to describe a man-made textile material produced by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers together. The actual fibers used for pool table felt can vary and will affect the refelting cost.
The most common materials used for pool table felt are wool, worsted wool, and outdoor felt cloth. Of the three, woolen felt is the cheapest and most common felt found on public and home pool tables.
Worsted wool is the more expensive option for felting pool tables because of how the material is created and the increased speed it provides on a table. As a result, this material is almost exclusively found on professional pool tables.
Outdoor felt is often made from acrylic fabrics and marine-grade cloths to ensure the material is durable, weather-resistant, and waterproof so that it can withstand outdoor conditions. Unfortunately, the specialized materials often mean outdoor felt is pricier than woolen felt.
In addition to these material options, a four-felt choice could skyrocket your overall cost: customized felt. Adding a customized felt to your pool table is an exceptional way to make this table a staple piece of any room. But, of course, it always comes at an additional cost.
Refinishing/ Additional Replacements
While this factor doesn’t deal exclusively with the refelting itself, many owners should consider when they pay for this service. It isn’t uncommon for pool tables to need other services besides refelting, such as leveling, bumper replacements, and refinishing, which will all increase the overall cost.
While these aren’t required, it is often easiest to perform them while your table is being refelted, so be conscious of your table’s condition and make sure it doesn’t need these services as well.
Is the Cost Worthwhile?
Pool tables are made with a series of high-quality materials, but the tabletop felt is arguably one of the most essential. Not only does it help protect the slate or wood underneath, but it also ensures the balls travel smoothly at optimal speeds and with the desired spin.
Therefore, if the felt on your table is worn or even scratched, you’ll probably find your pool game is significantly diminished. In addition, you’ll have to consider the tabletop’s condition when calculating your shots, rendering shots you once sunk easily to be much more difficult.
If using your pool table is leisure you rarely have, you might not think spending hundreds of dollars to refelt it is worthwhile if the material is merely worn. However, if you are an avid pool player passionate about the game, refelting your table is necessary.
Those considering merely repairing or patching your felt table know that patching it could still affect your game, and repairing the pool table felt is much less cost-effective than replacing it.
Final Thoughts
Pool tables are pricy objects, so it stands to reason that maintaining their condition and replacing old, worn, or damaged components isn’t always cheap.
While refelting might seem costly, it is often an essential service for pool tables owned by avid players who prioritize optimal playing conditions. If you want to save some service costs, consider purchasing your felt separately rather than through the company, but we don’t recommend going the DIY route for the entire refelting process.