Your pool table felt is worn out. The balls roll slowly. The surface feels rough. You know it is time for a change. But you are wondering what is the cost to refelt a pool table?
The answer depends on a few things. Your table size, the felt you pick, and whether you hire a pro all affect the price. In this guide, we break it all down so you can plan your budget and make the best decision.
At Beer City Billiards, we have helped hundreds of pool table owners across Michigan restore their tables. We know exactly what this process costs and what you should watch out for.
Refelting means replacing the cloth on your pool table. The cloth is the fabric that covers the playing surface. It is also called pool table felt or billiard cloth.
Over time, that cloth wears out. It gets thin, fuzzy, or torn. When that happens, the balls do not roll straight. Shots become unpredictable. That is when you need new pool table felt cloth.
Refelting is not just swapping fabric. A professional removes the old cloth, cleans the slate, stretches the new felt tight, and staples or glues it into place. It takes skill and the right tools to get it right.
Not sure if you need new pool table cloth? Here are the most common signs:
If you notice one or more of these signs, it is time to act. Delaying can damage the slate underneath and lead to a much bigger repair bill.
The average cost to refelt a pool table in the USA ranges from $265 to $560. Most homeowners pay around $300 to $450 for a standard 8-foot table with professional installation.
That price includes the new pool table cloth, labor, staple removal, and basic leveling. If you need bumper replacement or rail recovering, expect to pay more.
Here is a quick breakdown of what the pool table refelting cost looks like by table size:
| Table Size | Felt Cost (Materials) | Labor Cost | Total Estimated Cost |
| 7-Foot Table | $100 – $200 | $120 – $250 | $265 – $450 |
| 8-Foot Table | $120 – $250 | $130 – $280 | $270 – $500 |
| 9-Foot Table | $150 – $335 | $150 – $300 | $280 – $560 |
| Bar / Coin-Op Table | $100 – $200 | $120 – $250 | $250 – $450 |
| Custom Logo / Color | $300 – $550+ | $150 – $300 | $550+ |
Note: These are national averages for 2026. Prices vary by location, felt brand, and installer experience.
Several things push the price up or down. Here is what matters most:
Bigger tables need more felt and take longer to refelt. A 9-foot table costs more than a 7-foot table. This applies to both materials and labour.
There are two main types of pool table cloth: napped and worsted. Napped felt is the cheaper option. It feels softer but wears out faster. Worsted wool pool table felt is smoother, faster, and more durable. It costs more upfront but lasts longer.
Brands like Simonis, Championship, and Predator Arcadia are popular choices. Simonis worsted felt is a favorite among serious players. Championship felt pool table cloth is a solid choice for home use.
Professional labor usually runs $120 to $300 depending on your area. In Michigan, rates tend to be reasonable. Big cities can charge more. Always ask for a quote before booking.
Bumper replacement adds $60 to $180 to the total. Rail recovering is often included with refelting but can add cost if done separately. Disassembly, moving, and reassembly can add another $200 or more.
Doing it yourself costs only the price of materials, which runs from $100 to $300. But pool table cloth installation requires precision. Wrinkles, loose spots, or uneven stretching will ruin the playing surface. We strongly recommend hiring a professional for the best results.
The type of pool table felt cloth you choose affects your game, your budget, and how often you need to refelt. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Napped Felt | Worsted Wool Felt |
| Texture | Soft and fuzzy | Smooth and flat |
| Ball Speed | Slower | Faster |
| Durability | 3 – 5 years | 5 – 10+ years |
| Maintenance | More brushing needed | Easier to clean |
| Cost (Material) | $80 – $150 | $150 – $335 |
| Best For | Casual home players | Serious players, tournaments |
| Popular Brands | Championship, generic | Simonis, Predator Arcadia |
For home use with casual play, napped felt gets the job done. If you play often or want a faster, more consistent surface, worsted wool pool table felt is the better investment.
Many people wonder if they can save money by refelting their pool table themselves. The short answer is yes, but there are risks.
DIY kits are available online for $100 to $200. You get the felt, adhesive, and sometimes a basic guide. The process involves removing old staples, cleaning the slate, cutting the new felt, stretching it tightly, and stapling it down.
The main risk is getting the stretch wrong. Too loose and you get wrinkles. Too tight and the felt can tear. Without experience, it is hard to get the surface perfectly flat.
A professional billiard table repair service brings the right tools and years of experience. They know how to prep the slate, stretch the felt evenly, and finish the rails cleanly. They also spot other issues like damaged cushions or a warped slate before they become big problems.
Beer City Billiards offers professional pool table repair service across Michigan. Our team handles refelting, bumper replacement, leveling, and more. We get it right the first time.
With casual home use, quality pool table felt lasts 3 to 5 years. If you play every day or host regular games, you may need to refelt every 1 to 3 years. Worsted wool felt used in tournament settings can last 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Regular billiard table maintenance extends the life of your felt significantly. Brush the surface after every session. Keep food and drinks off the table. Use a cover when not playing. Avoid sitting or leaning on the rails.
Refelting does not have to break the bank. Here are smart ways to lower the cost:
Once you have fresh felt, protect that investment with good billiard table maintenance habits:
Beer City Billiards is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We are a team of billiards experts with hands-on experience in table repair, refelting, and restoration. We use quality pool table cloth from trusted brands. We handle everything from staple removal to final leveling. And we stand behind our work.
Ready to get started? Contact us today or visit our table repair service page to request a quote.
The average cost to refelt a pool table in the USA is $265 to $560. Most homeowners pay around $300 to $450 for a standard 8-foot table with professional installation included.
A professional can refelt a standard pool table in 2 to 4 hours. If bumper replacement or disassembly is needed, the job may take up to a full day.
Yes, if the table frame and slate are in good condition. A quality pool table can last decades. Refelting is far cheaper than buying a new table and gives you a like-new playing surface.
Simonis 860 is widely considered the gold standard for worsted wool pool table felt. Championship felt is a great budget-friendly option for home players. The best felt depends on your budget and how often you play.
You can, but it is difficult. Refelting requires precise stretching and stapling. Mistakes lead to wrinkles and uneven ball roll. We recommend hiring a professional for best results.
With regular home use, plan to refelt every 3 to 5 years. If you play daily or use the table commercially, you may need to refelt every 1 to 2 years.
Not always. Some installers include bumper recovering in the refelting price. Others charge separately. Always ask your installer what is included before booking.
Refelting your pool table is one of the best investments you can make for your game room. It restores the playing surface, improves ball roll, and makes your table look brand new.
The cost to refelt a pool table ranges from $265 to $560 depending on table size, felt type, and labor. Worsted wool pool table felt lasts longer and plays better. Hiring a professional ensures the job is done right the first time.
Do not let worn-out felt ruin your game. Protect your table with proper pool table maintenance and schedule a refelt when the signs appear.
Beer City Billiards is here to help. Visit our table repair service page or contact us today to get a free quote from our Michigan-based billiards experts.
