Can You Put a Pool Table Upstairs? Weight & Floor Guide

Yes, you can put a pool table upstairs if your floor can support the weight and access allows safe delivery. That holds for most home pool tables, whether MDF or slate. A 7ft slate pool table typically weighs around 200 to 250 kg, while most residential floors are designed for around 150–200 kg per square metre, so the weight must be spread correctly.

Keep reading to learn how heavy pool tables really are, how your floor handles the load, and what to check before installation.

You may wonder whether an upstairs room can safely support a billiards table. It’s a sensible question to ask before you make a purchase.

Pool tables are substantial pieces of furniture. Their large dimensions and significant weight make upstairs installation more complex than placing one on your ground floor.

A typical UK slate bed pool table weighs around 200 kg or more. Popular home sizes are usually 6ft pool tables or 7ft models. For exact measurements, see the guide to UK pool table dimensions.

Several factors influence whether an upstairs installation is practical for you. These include the table’s total weight, the structural capacity of your floor, access routes through your home, and whether you use professional installation.

While it may sound challenging, installing a pool table upstairs is entirely possible. Many homes across the UK have successfully created upstairs games rooms with careful planning.

This guide explains the key considerations for you: structural capacity, choosing the right table, and arranging safe delivery.

Can You Put a Pool Table Upstairs?

Yes, you can often install a pool table upstairs. The key factor is whether your floor structure can safely support the weight.

Most modern homes are designed to handle heavy furniture. Still, you should understand how the weight of a pool table is distributed before installation.

Proper planning helps you make sure the table is safe and stable.

Is It Safe to Install a Pool Table on the Second Floor?

Installing a pool table on the second floor is usually safe when your floor structure is strong enough and the weight is spread correctly.

Typical Structural Capacity of Residential Floors

Most residential floors are designed to support around 150–200 kg per square metre.

A typical slate pool table spreads its weight across several legs and a large footprint. In many cases, this falls within the limits of modern flooring.

How Pool Table Weight Is Distributed Across the Frame

Pool tables distribute their weight through multiple legs and a wide base.

As a rough estimate, a full-size snooker table weighing over a tonne spreads roughly 150 kg onto each of its eight legs.

This level of pressure is similar to a heavy adult standing in one spot.

When Upstairs Installation Is Usually Safe

Installation is usually safe in a room with solid flooring and good structural support.

Positioning your table over floor joists and near load-bearing walls can improve stability.

If you have any doubts about your floor’s strength, it is wise to seek professional advice.

How Much Does a Pool Table Weigh?

The weight of a pool table varies depending on its size and construction. For a full breakdown, see how much a slate pool table weighs.

Slate bed models are typically the heaviest because of the thick stone playing surface.

Weight of a 6ft Pool Table

As a rough guide, a 6ft UK slate pool table weighs around 200 kg.

This smaller size often makes it easier for you to install in an upstairs room or tighter space.

Weight of a 7ft Slate Pool Table

A 7ft slate pool table typically weighs around 200 to 250 kg.

It gives you a larger playing surface but also adds additional load to your floor.

Many pub pool tables use the traditional 7ft size, making them a popular choice for home games rooms.

 

Weight of a 8ft and 9ft Pool Table

Larger 8ft or 9ft pool tables can weigh considerably more.

You will often find these tables in dedicated games rooms, and they may require stronger floor support.

What Floors Are Best for Supporting a Pool Table?

The type of flooring in your home plays an important role when you install a pool table upstairs. For a side-by-side comparison of surfaces, see the guide to the best flooring for a pool table.

Concrete Floors vs Timber Joists

Concrete floors provide excellent load-bearing strength and are ideal for supporting heavy furniture.

Timber joist floors are common in many UK homes. They can support a pool table when the weight is distributed correctly.

Floor Joist Spacing and Support

The spacing and condition of your joists affect how well the floor handles weight.

Positioning the table legs directly over joists rather than between them gives you stronger support.

Using Floor Protection Pads

Steel plates or protective pads placed under each table leg help spread the load.

This reduces pressure on your floor and improves stability.

Getting a Pool Table Upstairs

Getting your pool table upstairs requires planning and care.

Professional installers usually dismantle the table so each component can be moved safely.

Can Pool Tables Be Carried Upstairs?

Yes, most pool tables can be carried upstairs once they are dismantled into manageable sections.

Dismantling a Slate Pool Table

During delivery, installers normally remove the table components in stages.

Rails, pockets, cloth, and slate pieces are taken off before the cabinet is moved.

This process makes transport easier and safer.

Moving Slate Pieces Individually

Slate pieces are extremely heavy but can be carried separately.

Careful handling is essential because slate can crack if dropped or twisted.

Professional Pool Table Installation

Professional installers use specialised equipment such as lifting straps and furniture dollies.

They also follow the correct sequence when dismantling and reassembling your table.

Staircase and Access Requirements

Your access routes play a major role when you move a pool table upstairs.

Staircase Width and Turning Space

Your staircase must provide enough width for the cabinet and other components.

You also need adequate turning space at the top or bottom of the stairs.

Tight Corners and Landings

Tight corners or narrow landings can make manoeuvring large pieces difficult.

Taking measurements beforehand helps you avoid problems during delivery.

Moving Pool Tables Through Narrow Spaces

You can get some pool tables in dry-build designs.

These tables are assembled with screws rather than permanent glue, which allows them to be dismantled more easily for tight access routes.

Installing a Pool Table in an Attic or Loft Room

You might be thinking of converting an attic or loft space into a games room.

However, you should consider a few structural factors first.

Floor Load Considerations

Loft floors may not always be designed to support very heavy furniture.

Checking the load capacity of the structure is important before installation.

Roof Height and Cue Clearance

Roof height can also affect gameplay.

You need enough ceiling clearance to use full-length cues comfortably.

Tips for Installing a Pool Table Upstairs

Careful planning makes upstairs installation far easier for you.

Choosing the right table and protecting your floors are both important steps.

Choosing the Best Pool Table for an Upstairs Room

Selecting the right table helps you reduce structural concerns.

You might choose one of the Dining pool tables, as they combine a dining surface with a full-size pool table.

Slate Bed Pool Tables

Slate bed Pool Tables give you the best playing experience.

However, they are heavier and require careful planning during installation.

Lighter MDF Pool Tables

MDF or synthetic tables are significantly lighter than slate models.

They can be easier for you to install upstairs, although they may not offer the same level of playing quality.

Protecting Floors and Preventing Damage

Protecting the flooring beneath your table helps prevent long-term damage.

Weight Distribution Pads

Steel plates or protective pads placed under the legs spread the load more evenly.

This reduces pressure on wooden floors.

Protecting Wooden Flooring

Using protective mats or pads helps you prevent scratches or indentations.

These measures also add stability to the table.

When to Consult a Structural Engineer

In some cases, you may need professional advice.

Older Homes With Weaker Floor Joists

If your home is older, its joists may be thinner or more widely spaced.

A structural engineer can assess whether reinforcement is required.

Very Large Pool Tables (8ft or 9ft)

Larger tables place greater loads on the floor structure.

Professional guidance can confirm whether your installation is suitable.

Attic Installations

Where your indoor space is limited, you could also consider outdoor pool tables for a garden entertainment area.

Loft or attic installations sometimes involve unique structural considerations.

A professional assessment helps you make sure the floor can safely support the table.

With careful planning, your home can most likely support Pool Tables upstairs safely.

Understanding the table’s weight, the strength of your floor, and the logistics of delivery will help you achieve a smooth and successful installation.



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What Do Owners Say About Pool Tables Upstairs?

Owners who have done it tend to worry less about the floor giving way and more about bounce. In an AZBilliards thread on putting a pool table upstairs, one member with a 9ft table above his garage said keeping it level hasn't been an issue once it settled in, but there is "some movement when people are walking around it". Another member made the point that the focus should be on deflection, so the floor isn't moving as people walk round the table.

Several owners in the same thread describe stiffening the floor rather than hoping for the best. One had extra joists fitted directly under where the table would sit and "never had a problem", another added blocking between the joists and a well-nailed double subfloor and has never had to re-level, and a third suggested screwing the subfloor down along the joists to reduce bounce.

The same caution comes up in a Houzz discussion about pool table weight on a second floor, where one homeowner said their builder chose to add extra support to the existing joists, even though building to code was expected to be enough. If you're unsure, that's the conversation to have with a builder or structural engineer before your table arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What clearance is required around a pool table?

The rec.sport.billiards FAQ, quoted on Dr Dave's pool table and room size guide, puts the minimum at the playing area plus the length of a cue (58 inches) plus about 6 inches for the backswing on each side. Check this for the upstairs room before you worry about delivery, and remember that sloping loft ceilings can also restrict your cue.

Is it possible to move a pool table without taking it apart?

A slate table is normally dismantled first: the rails, pockets, cloth and slate come off before the cabinet is moved, because the slate is extremely heavy and can crack if it is dropped or twisted. Lighter MDF tables are easier to handle, but stairs, tight corners and narrow landings are still the main limits.