It’s no secret that quality pool tables are heavy. Weighing as much as 1200 pounds, a pool table placed on carpet or a rug leaves dents that will never come out. So, whatever type of flooring you have deserves some consideration before placing a heavy pool table on it. With vinyl plank flooring becoming increasingly popular, I’ll answer the burning question: Can you put a pool table on vinyl plank flooring?
You can safely put a pool table on vinyl plank flooring. Most pool tables have fairly wide feet to help spread their weight around, making them fine to put on vinyl flooring. However, there are some things we recommend you do to help protect the flooring, such as placing furniture pads underneath the table.
How Heavy Are Pool Tables?
There are many different sizes and types of pool tables out there. Slate bed tables, which have slabs of stone as the playing surface, weight the most. 8-foot slate tables generally weigh somewhere between 700 and 1,000 pounds. 7-foot tables tend to weigh less, and 9-foot tables weigh more.
MDF or wood-bed pool tables weigh significantly less than slate tables. Usually, MDF tables weigh under 500 pounds. So, if you have an MDF table, you should be fine putting it on your vinyl plank flooring. Simply take the common precautions you would take with any piece of furniture. Vinyl plank flooring is extremely tough and durable, but it can still become scratched or stained.
Even heavier slate bed tables should do fine on your vinyl flooring, but there are some precautions to take, just in case. First, let’s take a look at how much weight vinyl plank flooring can handle. Then we’ll look at the proper precautions.
Related Article: How Much Does a Pool Table Weigh? Slate vs Wood (MDF)
How Much Weight Can You Put on Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Most vinyl plank flooring has a weight limit of 500 pounds. At a glance, this may not seem like enough for a pool table. Luckily, that weight is spread out on four or more legs.
So, a 1200 pound pool table with four legs will only be placing 300 pounds of pressure on the flooring under each leg, which is well under the limit. Still, there are some things you can (and probably should) do to protect your flooring.
Pool Tables With Small Feet May Damage the Flooring
Although most pool tables have wide feet, some do not. Or, some that appear to have wide feet actually have small feet that are hard to see unless you’re down next to the table.
Small feet are the number one concern for placing a pool table on vinyl plank flooring. The smaller surface area is more likely to dent the flooring over time. Feet under 1-inch square can damage the vinyl plank flooring.
Luckily, you can purchase furniture pads that can help spread the weight out and protect the floor all at once.
Protecting Your Vinyl Plank Flooring
Whether your pool table has small feet or not, we recommend using some sort of non-slip protection pads underneath. Although pool tables are heavy, they can still slide a little bit on a hard floor when bumped. Placing furniture pads underneath the feet can help protect the floor from both scratches and dents.
These Stay! Furniture Pads are ideal for use under pool tables. They don’t have to be glued or stuck on, so they don’t damage the legs. They simply sit underneath the pool table legs to protect the vinyl flooring.
Although these are rated for use on vinyl flooring, it’s always a good idea to test them on your particular vinyl plank flooring before putting them to use. The same goes for any type of flooring protector you choose. If you’re worried they may stain the floor, you can always put a layer of felt padding underneath them for more protection.
Using a Rug Under a Pool Table on Vinyl Plank Flooring
You can also use a rug under your pool table to help protect the floor. But, again, if the feet on the pool table are around 1-inch square, you may want to use additional padding (like the options mentioned above) to ensure you don’t dent the floor underneath.
If your pool table legs are larger, you don’t generally have to worry about additional padding on the rug. All you have to do is make sure the rug is large enough for protection and comfort during play.
Moving a Pool Table on Vinyl Plank Flooring
Lastly, moving a pool table on vinyl plank flooring can leave scratches or dents if you’re not careful. Whether you’re moving it into the room, or simply trying to slide it a few inches, it can damage your floor.
But, you can always use furniture sliders to protect the floor as you move the table. This means you’ll have to pick up one side of the table at a time to place the sliders underneath. This takes a few friends, because, as we discussed before, pool tables are heavy!
The best sliders for this are these made by X-Protector. They utilize felt on one side to help you slide heavy furniture across the floor. Just make sure they’ll fit under your pool table’s feet before you purchase them.
In Conclusion
Putting a pool table on vinyl plank flooring is fine to do, but it’s always best to take some precautions so you don’t scratch or dent the floor. You can use felt furniture pads to protect the floor if your pool table has feet larger than 1-inch.
If your table has small feet, it’s best to buy some wide rubber pads to help spread the weight out. Some rubber will stain the vinyl flooring, so test your pads or use a layer of padding between the flooring and the rubber.
Feel free to put a rug down under the pool table. And, lastly, move the pool table with furniture sliders to avoid damaging the vinyl plank flooring.
