If you’ve noticed the felt on your pool table looking worn, faded, or just a little off, you’re not alone. Pool table refelting is one of the most common service requests we handle — and one of the most misunderstood. Homeowners often aren’t sure when it’s truly necessary, what the process involves, or how much they should expect to pay. This guide covers all of it.
What is pool table refelting, exactly?
Refelting — also called re-covering — means replacing the cloth on your pool table’s playing surface and rails. The word “felt” is a bit of a misnomer; modern pool table cloth is typically made from a wool blend or worsted wool, not traditional felt. But the term stuck, and you’ll hear it used interchangeably.
The process involves more than just laying down new fabric. A qualified technician will:
- Remove the rails and pockets
- Strip the old cloth and adhesive from the slate
- Smooth out any minor chips or imperfections in the slate surface
- Stretch and secure the new cloth evenly across the playing surface
- Re-cover the rails and reassemble the table
- Level the table to ensure a true playing surface
Done right, the job takes two to four hours and leaves you with a table that plays like new.
Signs your pool table needs to be refelted
You don’t have to wait for the felt to rip before scheduling a re-cover. Here are the most common signs it’s time:
- The surface looks visibly thin, faded, or worn in high-use areas (typically near the center and break spot)
- Balls don’t roll true — they curl or slow inconsistently
- You can see or feel texture differences across the playing surface
- The cloth has absorbed chalk, spills, or pet hair that brushing can’t fully remove
- It’s been more than five to seven years of regular use
Napped cloth vs. worsted wool: which should you choose?
This is the question we get most often, and the answer depends on how you play.
Napped (standard) cloth
This is the traditional option — a softer, slightly fuzzy surface that most home tables use. It’s less expensive, widely available in many colors, and forgiving for casual play. The tradeoff is that it requires more maintenance (regular brushing) and wears faster under heavy use.
Worsted wool
Worsted cloth is woven tighter, with a smooth surface that allows for faster ball speed and more predictable rolls. It’s the standard on tournament tables and in pool halls. It costs more upfront but tends to last longer and requires less maintenance. If you play seriously or entertain frequently, worsted is worth the investment.
Choosing a felt color
Green is traditional, but it’s far from your only option. The most popular colors we see in Massachusetts game rooms include:
- Tournament green (classic)
- Camel / tan (warm, modern look)
- Electric blue (bold, popular in finished basements)
- Burgundy / red (rich, traditional)
- Black (dramatic, requires more maintenance to keep clean)
- Grey (clean, contemporary)
Standard colors typically come without any upcharge. Specialty or custom colors may add a small additional cost depending on the cloth manufacturer. If you’re unsure, bring a photo of your game room — it helps to choose a color that complements the space rather than clashes with it.
Can you refelt a pool table yourself?
Technically, yes. DIY refelting kits exist, and the material cost alone typically runs $100 to $250. But refelting is harder than it looks. The cloth needs to be stretched evenly and secured without wrinkles or soft spots — even minor inconsistencies affect how balls roll. On a slate table especially, the margin for error is very small.
Most experienced pool table owners who’ve tried it once tend to call a professional the second time around. If the refelting is tied to a move or any other service visit, the labor cost of hiring a pro becomes even more manageable when bundled.
Refelting in Massachusetts: what to look for in a service provider
Not every billiards company offers the same quality of work. A few things worth asking before you book:
- Do they re-cover the rails as part of the standard job, or is that extra?
- What brands of cloth do they carry?
- Do they level the table after reassembly, and what tools do they use?
- Are they insured in case of slate damage?
All Pro Billiards has been refelting, moving, and servicing pool tables across Massachusetts for over 25 years. We carry a range of cloth options — from standard to tournament-grade worsted wool — and every job includes a full leveling check with machinist-grade equipment. Whether your table is in a finished basement in Westborough or a game room on the South Shore, we’ll get it playing perfectly.
Ready to schedule a re-cover or just want to talk through your options? Reach out for a free quote.