The average cost to refelt a pool table is $200-600. That total breaks down into two parts: the cloth itself ($50-300) and professional labor ($100-200). The biggest variable is what kind of cloth you choose. A budget woolen felt for a 7-foot table might run $50. Simonis 860 for a 9-foot table can hit $300.
I’ve had two tables refelted over the years, and the cost was reasonable both times once I understood what I was paying for. Here’s the full breakdown so you know what to expect.
Cloth Type and Quality
The cloth is the single biggest cost variable. There are two main categories: woolen felt and worsted cloth.
Woolen felt is the cheaper option, running $50-100 for an 8-foot table. It has a fuzzy, napped texture. Balls roll slower on it, and the surface pills and wears faster. This is what you’ll find on most budget home tables and bar tables. It works fine for casual play.
Worsted cloth (brands like Simonis, Championship Tour Edition, and Hainsworth) costs $150-300 for an 8-foot table. The weave is tighter and smoother, so balls roll faster and more consistently. Worsted cloth also lasts 3-5 times longer than woolen felt. Every tournament table and serious home setup uses worsted cloth.
The price scales with table size. For budget cloth, expect roughly $10-15 more per foot of table length. For mid-range cloth, the jump is about $20-30 per foot. For premium Simonis, it’s around $50-60 per foot.
If you play competitively or just want a better-feeling table, worsted cloth is worth the higher upfront cost. It plays better and you won’t need to replace it for years. I’ve seen cheap felt start pilling and showing wear marks within a year of regular play. My Simonis cloth held up for over five years before it needed replacing.
Professional Labor Costs
The average labor cost for a professional refelt is about $100-200. This typically covers removing the old cloth, applying the new cloth to the slate and rails, and basic leveling.
A few things can push the labor cost higher. If the slate has chips or cracks, the tech needs to fill them before applying new cloth, which adds time and materials. Some companies charge travel fees if you live outside their normal service area. And if the table needs full disassembly to access the slate (common with one-piece slate tables), that adds another hour or two of labor.
Some companies offer a discount if you provide the cloth yourself rather than buying through them. Always ask about this. I’ve saved $30-50 by ordering cloth online and having it ready when the tech arrived.
If your rubber cushions have gone dead (balls bounce weakly or inconsistently off the rails), getting them replaced during the refelt makes sense. The tech already has the rails off. Adding new cushion rubber costs an extra $50-100 in parts. Doing it separately later means paying for another full service call.
DIY Refelting
If you’re comfortable with basic hand tools, you can refelt a pool table yourself and save the full labor cost. You’ll need a staple gun, spray adhesive, a utility knife, and a few hours.
The bed is the easier part. You spray adhesive on the slate, lay the cloth flat, stretch it tight, and staple the edges to the underside of the table frame. Take your time getting the cloth smooth with no wrinkles or bubbles.
The rails are harder. You need to remove each rail, strip the old cloth, wrap new cloth around the cushion rubber, and staple it tightly enough that the cloth stays taut during play. This is where most DIY jobs go wrong. Loose rail cloth affects how balls bounce off the cushions.
Budget 3-4 hours for your first attempt. After that it goes faster. There are plenty of YouTube walkthroughs that show the process step by step.
Special Cases
Bar box tables (coin-operated, usually 7 feet or smaller) often have one-piece slate without wooden backing. The cloth on these is typically glued rather than stapled. The refelting process is slightly different, and some techs charge a small premium for bar boxes, though the total cost is usually similar to a standard table.
MDF tables (medium-density fiberboard instead of slate) can technically be refelted, but check with the manufacturer first. Some MDF tables aren’t designed to be disassembled and reassembled. The felt is often glued on and removing it can damage the playing surface.
Outdoor tables use a special acrylic fabric that’s UV-resistant and waterproof. This cloth rarely needs replacing because it’s built to last as long as the table itself. If it does need work, contact the manufacturer for the correct replacement material.
When to Combine with a Move
If you’re moving your pool table, the movers will disassemble it and remove the felt anyway. This is the perfect time to refelt. Provide the new cloth and have the movers install it when they set up the table at the new location. You’ll save money by avoiding a separate service call, and the table gets a fresh surface in its new home.
Worth checking out: If you need replacement felt, take a look at the Championship Saturn II Billiard Felt on Amazon.
FAQ
How much does it cost to refelt a pool table?
The average cost is $200-600 total. That includes $50-300 for the cloth depending on quality, plus $100-200 for professional labor. Table size, cloth grade, and whether you hire a pro or DIY all affect the final number.
What’s the difference between woolen and worsted pool table felt?
Woolen felt is cheaper ($50-100) and has a fuzzy texture that slows the ball down. Worsted cloth like Simonis 860 costs $150-300 but plays faster, lasts 3-5 times longer, and is what you’ll find on tournament tables.
Can I refelt a pool table myself?
Yes, if you’re handy. DIY refelting saves $100-200 in labor. You’ll need a staple gun, adhesive for the slate, a utility knife, and patience. The rails are the hardest part. Budget 3-4 hours for a first-timer.
How often does pool table felt need to be replaced?
It depends on how much you play and what cloth you have. Cheap woolen felt on a heavily used table might last 2-3 years. Quality worsted cloth on a home table can last 5-10 years or more with proper care.
Related Articles
For more on this topic, check out pool table felt guide, best felt color, how long felt lasts, ironing pool table felt, and how felt is attached.
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