Keeping a Pool Table in the Garage – What to Know?

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While an ideal spot to set up your pool table is in a game room or finished basement, not everyone has the extra space in their home. 

Even if you’re limited on space, you don’t need to say no to having a pool table.

A garage is a great alternative for storing your pool table, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Read on.

Is it Wise to Keep the Pool Table in the Garage?

A garage is a great place for your pool table, but it does require maintenance and planning. 

When considering using your garage as a place to play pool, there are a few things to consider like the amount of space you need.

You also need to think about what type of table you’re moving into the garage, and if it’s protected from regular wear and tear. 

It’s also important to consider the overall climate and potential moisture issues, such as water pooling in the garage.

Moving your pool table into the garage is not necessarily expensive, but does require careful planning and some hard work.

Setting Up a Pool Table Inside the Garage

Only have a one-stall garage and worried that you can’t move your pool table into the garage? While more space is ideal, a single car garage is usually more than enough space to have a pool table.

Some people even opt to park outside the garage while turning the space into a small pool hall, which is more or less highly reminiscent of a man cave. 

We’re here to help you figure out the best possible set-up while also telling you what challenges you might have in the long run. 

The Space Needed for a Pool Table

We know your garage is spacious, but it’s a common problem that people usually overlook the actual space they need for installing a pool table inside it.

People tend to forget that they need legroom and adequate space for the pool cue stick to move, often leading to a lacking or undesirable installation.

Here’s what you have to keep in mind:

  • A 4.5’ x 9’ pool table needs a minimum of 14’ x 18’ worth of free space
  • A 4’ x 8’ pool table requires a minimum of 13.5’ x 17’ worth of free space
  • A 3.5’ x 7’ pool table requires a minimum of 13’ by 16’ worth of free space 

For reference, a standard 2-car garage is 22’ by 20’. Keeping these dimensions in mind, you can decide if you’ll have space for your car and your pool table or even some additional storage.

What’s the Best Kind of Pool Table for Your Garage?

Climate control and insulation are important for your pool table.

If your garage is not insulated and climate-controlled (and you’re not planning to have the garage upgraded anytime soon), you may want to opt for the following:

  • Slate bed pool tables are known to last a long time and are highly resistant to warping, as the sheet of slate (which is a type of rock) on the table won’t be affected by a certain level of humidity or temperature. The slate bed pool table will play like it is brand new for several decades as long as you give it some TLC.
  • If that’s a bit out of your budget, you may also look into the medium-density fiberboard (MDF) bed pool table. Made from tiny wood fibers pressed to a board and sealed with moisture-resistant chemicals, what you get is a pool table that can last you several years. 

While slate tables are an excellent option for garages, it’s important to keep in mind that moisture and extreme temperatures can affect the table.

The Effect of Climate on the Garage Pool Table

The two worst enemies of the pool table are high levels of humidity and extreme temperatures. 

These mess up the pool table’s overall playability.

Since your pool table is an investment that you want to enjoy for years to come, controlling the climate of your garage is essential. 

Extreme Temperature

Because pool tables are vulnerable to extreme temperature changes, there are a few things that can happen due to prolonged exposure.

The first target of the extreme heat or cold is the rail cushions, which can harden due to prolonged exposure. 

Though the cushion can easily be replaced, it tends to be quite an expensive and time-consuming procedure. 

A hardened cushion doesn’t really affect the overall playability, but if you’re keen on the look and the feel of your table, this is something you might want to look out for. 

Comfortable Playing

Since the garage is susceptible to getting too hot or too cold depending on the season, it can be uncomfortable to play pool when the temperature fluctuates.

It’s admittedly hard to try and play pool with several layers of clothes and a jacket if the garage gets too cold, while also it’s equally not as fun to play when you’re dripping in sweat. 

Humidity

Since most pool tables are made of wood, they’re not that moisture resistant, even if the wood is treated properly.

The parts of your pool table that are most susceptible to the fluctuation of moisture (too dry or too humid) include the legs, table felt, rails, and frame.

If your garage has high levels of humidity the wood can warp and crack. There’s also an increased risk of mold growth due to warm temperatures and excess moisture.

The humidity may also lead to the table’s felt loosening up, making it harder to play more appropriately as the balls get a certain level of resistance.

Luckily enough, there are actual ways for you to prevent this from happening.

Easy Ways to Protect Your Pool Table in the Garage

Even though storing your pool table in the garage requires a little maintenance, here are a few easy ways to protect your pool table.

Dehumidifier

If you live in a humid climate, dehumidifiers are a “must-have” for any garage with a pool table to help the overall cooling and drying. 

Some experts recommend controlling the environment so that the humidity is between 40 and 60%.

Depending on where you live and the time of year, you might find yourself running your dehumidifier constantly, so always keep an eye on it and empty or adjust as necessary.

Humidifier

If you live in an area where the air is consistently dry year round, you may benefit from running a humidifier as added protection for your table.

Floor Coverings

Even with insulated walls, the concrete floor in your garage may cause temperatures to fluctuate.

Whether you choose some carpet remnants to cover the floor under and around the table or invest in some foam floor padding, a floor covering is an effective way to help insulate the floor and regulate the temperature inside your garage.

Even a thin floor covering can provide a more comfortable playing experience by placing a cushion between you and hard concrete. It can also help protect your billiard balls if they fly off the table. 

Choose floor coverings that are easy to clean, will not be a tripping hazard, and will not interfere with the level of your table.

Add Insulation

While most people think that insulation is only effective at keeping cold air, it’s also effective at regulating the temp on warmer days.

Putting up insulation pads on the garage walls fixes most of the problems a pool table can face, making sure the table stays safe and intact throughout the temperature changes, in summer and winter. 

Affordable and easy to install garage insulation kits are readily available online or at most home improvement stores.

Air Conditioning Unit or Space Heater

Having an air conditioner and heater is the most sensible option in regulating the garage’s internal temperature for the pool table. 

If you cannot tap from your house’s centralized air condition system, you always have the option to bring over a portable or window-type air conditioner efficiently. 

For the heater, you may opt to purchase an infrared-driven space heater.

However, some air conditioning systems are now also offering heating technology to make it convenient for people like you that need it.

Table Cover

If you don’t have cover for your pool table, it’s a good idea to invest in one if you plan to play in the garage.

Table covers will not only keep dirt from collecting on the table felt but can protect your table from direct sunlight and other factors that can wreck your table.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a pool table inside your garage is definitely possible, but it takes a little TLC and regular maintenance.

By ensuring that your table is protected from fluctuating temperatures, excess moisture, and overall dirt and debris, you can enjoy playing pool comfortably in your garage for years to come.

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