Outdoor Pool Table Buyer's Guide

Overview

If you've got the space, an outdoor pool table is a fantastic addition to any garden, particularly if you have a decking or a patio area for a strong foundation. It's also a great option for any keen pool players who lack space or cueing room indoors for a table.

The Fusion Outdoor Pool Table on a Decking (From £2299.00) [ view in store ]

In the British climate we'd always advise to position the table to get as much natural protection as possible, from wind, rain and direct sunlight. But we also always advise the use of a heavy-duty protective cover.

The RS Barcelona Diagonal Outdoor Pool Table (From £11995.00) [ view in store ]

Table Construction

Outdoor pool tables are built to withstand the worst of the weather. You might use it more in the summer, but it needs to be tough enough to be stored outdoors all year round - including in the depths of winter. This means it should be resistant to the very worst of the weather, including rainfall and damp, freezing temperatures and high winds. Outdoor tables use a variety of specialist materials to achieve this, which can make outdoor models a little more expensive.

Marine Ply

Marine ply is a type of heavy-duty plywood. It's made in the same way as regular plywood, but the wood fibres selected are of a higher quality, free of knots or anomalies that could be a weak point for rot to enter.

It's then bonded using a much more heavy-duty resin than standard plywood. This resin is thicker and tougher, making the finished wood highly resistant to moisture of all kinds including rain, damp and condensation. It's then usually sealed with a laminate or coating.

Marine ply is most often found in boat hulls and outdoor structures - yes, it's that tough. Nevertheless, it requires some care. It should be kept clean - using only appropriate cleaning products - and, wherever possible, dry, with a cover or some other protection. If not neglected, marine ply can tolerate all-year outdoor environments for decades.

It is also heavier than regular ply, due to the denser resin used in the bonding process. So you should bear in mind that a marine ply pool table is likely to be a little heavier than its indoor equivalent.

The Outback Pro Outdoor Pool Table (From £1999.00) [ view in store ]

Aluminium

Another, more unusual choice for an outdoor table is aluminium. This element is well-chosen for its tough, lightweight characteristics. However aluminium can corrode when exposed to oxygen and moisture, so aluminium-bodied outdoor tables like the Pureline California use a special 6061 aluminium alloy.

This is made with additional alloys and treatments to prevent any corrosion, and is then sealed with a weatherproof powder-coated outdoor paint. It's the same aluminium that can be found in yacht and aircraft construction, and is designed to cope with saltwater immersion. So it'll shrug off a winter storm in your garden with no problem.

Again, if properly looked after with regular cleaning using approved agents, marine aluminium can last for a very long time. Its light weight makes it relatively easy for a few people to lift and carry if needed.

The Pureline California Outdoor Pool Table (From £2895.00) [ view in store ]

Steel

Another tough metal that is sometimes used for outdoor pool tables is steel. Like aluminium, standard steel can suffer from corrosion if left exposed to the elements. So manufacturers of steel outdoor tables, such as French manufacturer Cornilleau, use corrosion-resistant galvanised steel and apply a heavy-duty surface treatment to protect it.

For longevity, good care is key. Any steel outdoor table should be kept clean and as dry as possible, and inspected regularly for any weathering or corrosion damage.

The Cornilleau Hyphen Outdoor Pool Table (From £3995.00) [ view in store ]

Glass

As a weatherproof material, glass should need no introduction. It's certainly an unusual choice for a pool table, but one that creates an unmistakeably unique visual effect. The FAS Shadow as shown below is made from strong, tempered glass, so it's resistant to impact and accidents - but it's not invincible. As a more delicate option compared to metal or plywood, a glass table should be well protected against drops and accidents with a good cover at the very minimum.

The FAS Shadow Outdoor Pool Table (From £18995.00) [ view in store ]

Playfield Beds

The playfield beds on outdoor tables are often similar to indoor tables. Slate is the most common and reliable material, but increasingly modern fibres are being used as a lightweight weatherproof alternative.

You might notice that there are no MDF bed tables mentioned here. That's because the fibres of MDF boards are not suitable for damp or exposed environments, being vulnerable to rot and moisture damage.

Slate

The most popular material for outdoor pool table beds is, of course, slate. Renowned as the superior bed for any pool table, whether indoor or outdoor, it offers unmatched play performance and durability. Slate beds are made, as the name suggests, from pure, machined granite rock, and are unaffected by rain, damp, UV rays or any other weather conditions.

A Slate Bed for a Pool Table

Best-Selling Outdoor Slate Bed Pool Tables

Resin Laminate

Recent developments in resin technology mean that increasingly, a resin laminate playfield bed is a good choice, as used by Cornilleau on their Hyphen table. These moulded playfields can be created with perfect flatness and therefore good game performance, though not as good as slate. Impervious to moisture and damp, they're tough enough to live outside all year round - but should be protected from any impacts.

The Resin Laminate Bed of the Cornilleau Hyphen Outdoor Pool Table (From £3995.00) [ view in store ]

Best-Selling Outdoor Resin Laminate Bed Pool Tables

Fibre Cement

A more unusual choice, consisting of a material formed through solidifed cement fortified with cellulose fibres. While it can't match slate in terms of performance, it can still be moulded flat and is relatively lightweight - ideal for fun, recreational play. However it's also very tough, and is more commonly found in external roofing applications and panelling. Rot-proof and strong, it's a lightweight material that is used in tables made by Spanish billiard table manufacturers RS Barcelona.

The Fibre Cement Bed of the RS Barcelona Diagonal Outdoor Pool Table (From £11995.00) [ view in store ]

Best-Selling Outdoor Fibre Cement Bed Pool Tables

Cloths

Standard billiard cloths can suffer the effects of outdoor exposure. This particularly affects any cloths with organic fibres, such as British-spec cloths with a high wool content, and even found as a blend in some American-spec cloths. As with any organic material, prolonged exposure to moisture and dirt can promote mould and break down fibres, eventually giving you holes in your cloth and some unusual aromas.

Outdoor tables are equipped to overcome this. Purpose-made outdoor cloths are usually made from artificial, plastic-based fibres such as nylon. Often, premium outdoor cloths will be prepared with anti-fungal treatments and colour protection to mitigate against UV bleaching from the sun.

These cloths still require a lot of care though, as dust and other particles can settle into the fibres. We always recommend use of a cover whenever the table isn't being played, and you should brush and clean the cloth regularly - more regularly than you would an indoor table. It doesn't take a lot of particles to become stuck in the fibres to start to affect your gameplay. See our range of pool table cloth care and maintenance products here.

Like any billiard cloth, outdoor cloths still have a lifespan. You should expect to replace it at some point in the future. This is a specialist procedure best left to the experts - book our Pool Table Recovering Service and let us take care of it.

A Waterproof Cloth As Fitted to a Rene Pierre Caraibes Outdoor Pool Table (From £2995.00) [ view in store ]

Covers

Yes, these tables are made to be weatherproof. But make life easier for yourself and use a cover. A decent, heavy-duty, waterproof cover should be fitted to the table whenever you're not playing on it. In the winter, it'll protect against torrential rain and occasional snow. And in the summer, it'll protect against torrential rain and occasional UV rays. Browse our range of pool table covers here.

The more protection you give your table, the longer it will last. If you do have space to store it indoors for winter, such as a shed or garage, then it's the best option.

A Cover Fitted to a Fusion Outdoor Pool Table (From £2299.00) [ view in store ]

Indoor Use

Of course, the best option is to bring your outdoor table indoors in winter. Place it into your warm, dry games room and enjoy it all year round!

Any outdoor table is perfectly suitable for indoor use as well, making it a really versatile addition to any home. The lighter tables could perhaps be carried in or out by a group of people, but if in doubt, take advantage of our Pool Table Moving service.

Other Accessories

Dining Tops

Some outdoor pool tables are made with shallow cabinets and lots of space underneath. This allows them to be fitted with dining tops and converted into a table instantly! Some dedicated pool diners include tops with the table, whilst on others they might be available as an optional extra.

Either way, it's a fantastic way to enjoy your garden with an al fresco dinner party or drinks! And for home workers, it can also make for a relaxing home office out in the fresh air.

A Dining Top Fitted to the Cornilleau Classic Outdoor Pool & Dining Table (From £2995.00) [ view in store ]

Pool Cues

Having weatherproof, waterproof cues might not be essential for you, especially if you can store your standard cues indoors when not in use. But these cues should be protected from damp, direct sun and extremes of temperature to prevent warping.

If you need cues that can be stored outside or in a cold shed over winter, consider a purpose-made outdoor cue like the Pureline Storm. It's made of fibreglass so it won't degrade or warp.

A Pureline Storm Fibreglass Cue (From £60.99) [ view in store ]

Best-Selling Fibreglass Pool Cues

Go Buy Your Outdoor Pool Table!

If you still have unanswered questions about general pool table buying, please see our comprehensive Pool Table Buyer's Guide.

Or you can browse our selection of outdoor pool tables and choose the one that's absolutely right for you.

And as always, if you need further advice, our sales staff are ready to help you with your decision. Contact us now with any queries!