If you’re thinking of installing a pool table in your home, then one of the first things you need to decide is what type of flooring the pool table should sit on. After all, once the pool table is in place and level, you don’t want to be moving it around to swap out a rug.
But should a pool table be on a rug? The best floor to have under a pool table is hardwood as it allows the pool table to be leveled immediately and accurately. However, hardwoods can become damaged and are costly to replace, which is why many people choose to place an area rug under their pool table.
Although area rugs and carpeting can be placed under pool tables, there are a few things you might want to consider first, which is why we put together this article. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of putting a pool table on a rug to help you make your decision.
Why You Should Put a Pool Table on a Rug
While carpeting is in no way required under a pool table, there are some reasons you might consider it. Let’s take a look at them.
- A rug protects the floor around the pool table. The main purpose of placing an area rug under your pool table is that it can protect the floor from extra wear and tear and balls that are struck off the table. A flying ball can actually cause dents in hardwoods and crack tiles, which can be expensive and time consuming to repair. Want to know what happens when the ball flies off the table? Check out our post What Happens When a Pool Ball goes off the Table.
- Rugs help reduce noise. The sound of two balls clacking into each other might be music to your ears, but if your pool table is set up near a space used by other people, they might appreciate the sound dampening properties of carpeting.
- It looks good. Many people like the way an area rug highlights and defines the playing area. Of course, this is somewhat subjective.
- A rug allows the pool table to be moved easier. If you aren’t sure about the exact placement of your pool table, you should consider placing the table on a rug or carpet. It is much easier to move it across carpet than across hardwood. Sliding the table across hard flooring leave large scratches behind. Area rugs are more forgiving.
So you can see that placing a pool table on a rug isn’t such a bad idea. It can help with style your room, protect your flooring, and reduce noise.
Some Disadvantages to Putting a Pool Table on Rug
There are some disadvantages to putting a pool table on a rug, of course, but they can be mitigated if you take special care.
- The rug will get damaged. Because pool tables are so heavy, they will cause dents in the carpet. You’re probably familiar with these. Your couch legs leave similar dents. The problem with the dents created by a pool table is that they don’t go away. This isn’t a big deal unless you need to move the pool table to a different location.
- It is more difficult to level the pool table. When you set a pool table on a rug, it will not settle right away. It could take weeks to months for the pool table to settle enough that you can level it and expect it to stay that way. However, you can have the pool table releveled a few months after installation.
- Rugs get stains. If you intend to have drinks or food anywhere near your pool table, then your area rug could get stained. Additionally, the area around a pool table gets a lot of foot traffic. The carpet will wear out eventually and need to be replaced. Installing carpet squares can make this job much easier.
- You need a big rug. Your rug needs to be large enough that players won’t have one foot on the carpet and one foot off the carpet when trying to shoot. If you need help measuring your pool table when figuring out what size rug you need, check out our post How to Measure a Pool Table Accurately?
Even though putting your pool table on a rug has a few disadvantages, most people wouldn’t consider them a big problem.
Is It Worth Putting a Pool Table on a Rug?
Whether you decide to put your pool table on a rug or not is really a personal decision. It can help protect your floors, but it can also lead to troubles of its own.
If you do want to have a rug or carpet under your pool table, we recommend using carpet squares as they are easier to replace if they get stained, or you want to swap out a design.