Why Isn't My Billiard Cloth Lasting Longer?
Yeah, we get that question a lot.
Billiard cloth can last anywhere from a day to several decades. Those two extremes represent someone having a knife fight on the table the first day versus a table that sits lonely and ignored. Typically, cloth in a home setting lasts longer than the homeowner's decision to redecorate. We often see perfectly good cloth replaced simply because someone wants a different color.
Historically, pool halls replaced their cloth three or four times a year. As the economy has changed, many now recover their tables about every six months. The worst abuse happens in locations where the players don't have a financial incentive to take care of the table - colleges, apartment complexes, and community centers.
Let's start with the cloth itself.
Where did you get it? If you purchased it from a fabric store or bought some imitation billiard cloth online, that's probably your problem. However, if you purchased commercial- or tournament-grade cloth from a reputable billiard dealer, the wear you see is usually influenced more by the balls you're using and how the table is played than by the quality of the cloth itself.
If you're seeing gray or white tracks on the cloth, that's what we call ball burn. It's caused by the friction generated when a billiard ball slides across the cloth before it begins rolling. Temperatures at that point of contact can become surprisingly high. Aramith cites temperatures approaching 250°C (482°F) during powerful shots. Even in normal play, the effects of friction become visible over time.
How much ball burn you see depends largely on the quality of the ball set you're using.
Aramith balls, manufactured in Belgium, are widely regarded as the finest billiard balls in the world. Their sets are made from cast phenolic resin and manufactured to extremely tight tolerances for sphericity, diameter, and weight. Over the years, Aramith has also continued to improve its resin formulation, finish, and manufacturing technology.
I was fortunate to tour the Aramith manufacturing facility in 2019. While I did not get to observe the actual manufacturing process due to the company's policy of protecting its proprietary manufacturing methods, I was able to see the various product lines, observe the quality control procedures, and learn about the technical differences between the different grades of balls.
By comparison, most economy ball sets manufactured in China, Taiwan, and India are made from polyester resin. While they provide an enjoyable game and represent a good value, polyester resin generally produces more friction and retains its polished finish for a shorter period of time than cast phenolic resin. The increased friction generates more heat, which contributes to additional cloth wear. These sets also do not typically maintain the same degree of spherical accuracy and weight uniformity found in Aramith balls.
Now let's talk about how the table is being used.
If you or someone you know practices jump shots or masse shots, I can almost guarantee the cloth is being pitted or torn. These shots take years to master, and even experienced players occasionally strike the cloth with the cue tip. For apartment communities and other multi-family recreation rooms, I often recommend prohibiting jump and masse shots altogether. Some facilities have even gone so far as to fine players who are caught attempting them.
You'll also notice the greatest amount of ball burn around the breaking area and along the rails. Those marks are a normal result of repeated play, especially when players practice break shots or common position drills.
The main thing to remember is that billiard cloth is a lot like the clothes you wear or the tires on your car. Higher-quality materials generally last longer under the same conditions, but how they're used ultimately determines their lifespan. If you play rugby, you'll replace your clothes more often. If you street race, you'll replace your tires more often. The same principle applies to your billiard cloth.
