A pool table is a fun addition to any home, but is it suited to apartment living? The answer is yes, you can absolutely have a pool table in an apartment, providing you have enough space to accommodate it. The trick with getting a pool table in an apartment is finding an apartment big enough to fit your pool table inside with sufficient space to move around it.
Most apartments have smaller rooms than regular houses, but don’t let that deter you. Apartments with large rooms are certainly available and even if you are unable to find one, then buying a smaller pool table is always an option.
But before you sign on the dotted line, or go place an order for your dream pool table, there are a few factors you should consider before moving or converting your spare room into a games room.
Can My Apartment Floor Support a Pool Table?
The number one concern for apartment dwellers with pool tables is the weight. Without solid earth supporting your home, you are left with reinforced beams that are more than capable of supporting regular furniture, but pool tables may be another matter.
Providing your apartment building is in good condition and built to regulation, all floors from the second story up can hold between 30 – 50 lbs per square foot. This varies according to where the joists are placed and what the room was designed for. Office spaces tend to lean towards the 50lb mark, whereas bedrooms may only be around 30lb per square foot.
Heavy Slate Pool Tables
Either way, you should have no problem supporting the weight of a pool table on the second floor. Pool tables weigh anywhere between 650-1000 lbs this is due to the pool table bed which is often made of slate. Slate is a heavy stone but is preferred by pool enthusiasts as it allows for more precise leveling.
The weight of a slate table may seem like a lot, but the heavier tables tend to also be longer, so the weight distribution evens out.
If you are still concerned that your second-floor games room might fall to the first floor, fear not. There are plenty of lightweight pool tables made from MDF that look good and work just as well, which may be more appropriate for apartments. They are also easier to move up and down staircases.
Did you know? Pool tables made out of MDF are the lightest pool tables on the market. Check out this MDF Pool Table by Mizerak. It’s light, and is designed to fit specifically into smaller rooms and spaces.
Is It Safe to Put a Pool Table Upstairs?
If you are looking just to install a games room with a pool table on the second floor of your traditional two-story home, the same weight rules apply to apartments (between 30 – 50 lbs per square foot). This varies depending on the age of your home and where the joists are positioned.
For both upstairs apartments and the second floor of traditional homes, the safety issue comes into play depending on if you want other items in the room along with your pool table.
If you opt for the heaviest pool table you can find to install on the second floor, you may notice a slight flex in the floor at most, especially if you are a heavy person. However, this is rare and it is unheard of for a pool table on its own to fall through the floor, even with the weight of the players and one or two spectators.
Additional Furniture
Now if you wish to have a pool table along with a large fish tank, a bar, large sofas, and 30 – 40 friends over, then there may be a problem. If you are lucky enough to have an apartment with a room large enough to accommodate all of this, then you may have to pay for reinforced flooring.
There are plenty of bars and clubs that do have all this on the second floor and encounter no problems. Trusted liability protection providers can offer peace of mind in such scenarios, ensuring your safety and security. Otherwise, regular-sized apartments are likely to only fit your pool table, so as far as safety is concerned, you have nothing to worry about.
Where Do You Place a Pool Table in an Apartment?
Now the spare room in your apartment may allow for a pool table to be placed inside, but have you considered the extra space needed to safely maneuver around it?
Unlike other bulky game items such as arcade machines and foosball tables, a pool table requires access to all four sides, and enough room to bend over and pull back the cue. To avoid constantly denting or putting holes in your walls, the recommended room size for a pool table is 16ft by 13 feet.
Unless you have a master bedroom going spare to accommodate your regulation-size pool table, you may want to consider buying a smaller table. You could opt for a portable pool table that is very lightweight and can be stored away if the room has another use. They don’t look as good as permanent tables, but they will do the trick.
Noise Level
Another factor to consider is how much noise you will make and when. Pool is not generally considered a noisy sport, but it can be surprising how much noise travels through apartment buildings, especially the noise of the break.
Some apartments have a noise restriction at certain times and no one wants to be on the wrong side of their neighbors, so it is recommended to place your pool table in a room that is not directly above or below your neighbor’s bedroom and keep playing times within sociable hours.
Can You Put a Pool Table on Hardwood Floors?
Hardwood floors are ideal for pool tables. Wood is a lot softer than tiles so your balls will be protected from chipping should they fall off the table. Hardwood floors also improve the leveling of your table over that of carpets. Carpets do reduce the noise level for your neighbors, so which floor you decide to have will depend on your preferences.
However, if you have a heavy pool table, it can leave impressions on your hardwood floors so it’s recommended to buy appropriate floor protectors, or a rug to place under the legs.
Final Thoughts
There is no reason why you cannot place a pool table in an apartment or second-story room. The weight and size of regulation pool tables mean that you won’t have to go far to find an apartment that can safely accommodate a pool table. Pool tables are safe to install on the second floor and will not fall through or damage the integrity of your home.
Due to the small room sizes in apartments, you may only have space to install just the pool table alone, but if it is a dedicated games room then this shouldn’t be an issue. It is best to try to avoid placing your pool table in a room directly next to a neighbor’s bedroom if possible, to avoid noise complaints.
Pool tables can be installed on any floor type, but hardwood is recommended. Tiles are an option but they may chip your balls should they fall off the table. There is no issue with placing a pool table on carpets but it could affect the leveling of the table, but carpets would reduce the noise level.