Alternatives to Slate in Pool Tables

While slate pool tables offer a durable and smooth playing finish, they can be quite costly, particularly for those just learning the sport. If you are not quite ready to make the investment, alternatives to slate tables exist and are available in a wide variety of materials and prices.

Permaslate or Slatron

Both of these forms are constructed to mirror slate and typically consist of a hard, synthetic plastic. It's often layered over particle board to give the material the ability to mirror the shock absorption natural slate provides. While these materials are considered of better quality than honeycomb or particle board, they are known to warp over time and might not be a lasting slate alternative.

Permaslate or slatron boards are best for beginning billiards players without small children, who could spill on the surface and cause premature warping. These materials can drastically reduce the price of a pool table (by thousands of dollars, according to ahpooltables.com).

Plastic Honeycomb

Named for the plastic honeycomb that lies beneath the sheet of plastic that lies on top of this type of board, a plastic honeycomb structure is another alternative to a slate pool table. The honeycomb is supported on either side by a plastic sheet.

At a price range of up to $1,000, according to Dick's Sporting Goods, a plastic honeycomb pool table might not be long-lasting, but it is affordable. This type of material is more suitable for children--it might warp less. Considered a less smooth playing surface than slate or slate imitations, pool tables made of plastic honeycomb typically require some assembly.

Particle Board

Also known as medium density fiberboard, this type of surface is made from pressing tiny pieces of wood together. Particle board can also be used in the cabinet (the material that boxes the surface in) and rails (which provide the barriers the pool balls hit up against).

One of the difficulties with particle board pool tables is that they are not very heavy or durable. If a person were to try to sit or lean heavily on the rails, the table could easily be turned over, or a piece could break off. For this reason, it might not be suitable for a home with children who might not understand the importance of not roughhousing around the table.