Knowledge
Frequently Asked Questions
Quiet reading on the questions buyers and dealers ask most. Sizing, slate, finish, delivery, and the lifetime structural guarantee that follows every table.
Buying and Pricing
C.L. Bailey pool tables are sold exclusively through authorized dealers, and pricing is set by each dealer based on table size, finish, accessories, delivery distance, and installation complexity. The locator at /dealer connects you with the nearest dealer for a current quote on any model. Pricing is consistent with premium residential billiards in solid hardwood with a lifetime structural guarantee.
Why does C.L. Bailey only sell through dealers?/Can I buy a C.L. Bailey table online?
A solid hardwood pool table is not a product that should be installed by the buyer. Slate seating, leveling, seam work, and cloth stretching are skilled trades, and a poorly installed table plays poorly regardless of construction quality. The dealer model exists so a trained crew handles delivery, installation, and warranty service in your region.
How much does a C.L. Bailey pool table cost?/Can I buy a C.L. Bailey table online?
C.L. Bailey tables are not sold online or shipped direct to the buyer. Every table is sold, delivered, and installed by an authorized dealer. The dealer locator at /dealer pulls up your nearest authorized dealer with quoting and installation in your area. The dealer can typically begin a quote by phone or email if a showroom visit is impractical.
Why does C.L. Bailey only sell through dealers?/How do I find a C.L. Bailey dealer near me?
The dealer locator at /dealer accepts a ZIP code and returns the nearest authorized C.L. Bailey dealers, ranked by distance, with phone and email contact for each. Most regions have a dealer within a reasonable drive, and dealers serve a defined territory for delivery and installation. If no dealer appears for your ZIP, contact us through /contact-us and we will route you to the nearest one.
Why does C.L. Bailey only sell through dealers?/How much does a C.L. Bailey pool table cost?
C.L. Bailey does not run national sales or promotions on residential tables. Individual dealers occasionally offer floor-model pricing, package pricing on table-and-accessory bundles, or seasonal incentives, but these are dealer-specific. The price you receive is what the dealer needs to deliver and install the table well, and it does not fluctuate with marketing calendars.
A C.L. Bailey table ships with the cabinet, slate, rails, cushions, pockets, and your chosen cloth. Most dealers package the table with an accessory kit that includes cues, balls, a rack, a brush, a chalk dish, and a cover, but the kit configuration varies by dealer. Confirm exactly what is included in your quote before signing the order.
Does the quote include delivery and installation?/Can I customize the finish or hardware on my table?
Most authorized dealer quotes include white-glove delivery and professional installation in the dealer's standard service area. Long-distance delivery, stair carries, and complex installation conditions can add to the quote. The dealer will confirm the included scope and any conditions specific to your home (stair access, narrow thresholds, second-story rooms) before installation day.
How long does pool table installation take?/What comes with a C.L. Bailey pool table?
C.L. Bailey tables are available in a curated selection of standard finishes. Each finish is hand-applied across multiple coats for depth and durability. The available finishes vary by model. Confirm finish availability for your chosen table with your authorized dealer.
It depends on your room size and how you plan to use the space. Pool tables are the centerpiece of most game rooms and accommodate 2 to 4 players at a time. A 7-foot pool table needs a room at least 13 by 16 feet. Shuffleboards are longer but narrower; a 12-foot shuffleboard fits comfortably along a wall in a room that might not have enough width for a pool table. Many buyers start with a pool table and add a shuffleboard later, especially when choosing from a matched collection like Skylar, Viking, or Tunbridge.
What room size do I need for a pool table?/Should I buy a 7-foot, 8-foot, or 9-foot pool table?
Sizing and Room Fit
With a standard 58-inch cue, a 7-foot table needs roughly 13 by 16 feet, an 8-foot table needs 13 feet 6 inches by 17 feet, and a 9-foot table needs 14 by 18 feet. These are minimums measured with cue clearance on every side of the playfield. Detailed dimensions per cue length live at /room-size.
How do I measure my room for a pool table?/What if my room is just slightly too small?
Measure the working dimensions of the room with all furniture out, then mark the playfield footprint of the table you are considering in painter's tape on the floor. Walk the cue path on every side with a broomstick or cue, simulating a back-stroke. If the back-stroke clips a wall, a piece of furniture, or a doorway, the room is short on that side.
What room size do I need for a pool table?/What if my room is just slightly too small?
If a single side of the room is short by six to twelve inches, a shorter cue (52 inch or 48 inch) preserves play on that side. If multiple sides are short, or one side is short by more than a foot, a smaller table is the right answer. A 7-foot table fits in roughly 13 by 16 feet, which solves most marginal-room situations.
What room size do I need for a pool table?/Should I buy a 7-foot, 8-foot, or 9-foot pool table?
An 8-foot table is the right answer for most American homes. It plays well for casual entertaining, serves a serious player, and fits the most rooms. A 7-foot table is right for tighter rooms and family-shared use. A 9-foot table is the tournament size and the right call only if the room genuinely accommodates it and a serious player wants the longer geometry.
The Skylar/The Viking/The Dutchess
What room size do I need for a pool table?/What if my room is just slightly too small?
The bottom of the fixture shade should sit 32 to 36 inches above the cloth. That places the light low enough to wash the playfield without glare, and high enough that no one swings a cue into it. The fixture itself should run lengthwise above the table, sized to roughly two-thirds the playfield length, with warm white bulbs at 2700 to 3000 Kelvin.
Yes, with two conditions. The basement should be conditioned to residential interior climate (35 to 55 percent humidity, 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) so the cabinet does not cycle through extremes. Stair access has to allow the slate sections, which are heavy and rigid, to reach the room. Your dealer measures stairwell turns and thresholds before installation day to confirm.
A 58-inch cue is the residential standard and what most accessory kits include. A 52-inch cue saves six inches of clearance per side and is the right call if a single side of your room is short. A 48-inch cue is shorter still, useful for the constrained side in a tight room or for younger players. Most dealers can configure the kit to your room.
Materials and Construction
Yes, with one asterisk*. C.L. Bailey cabinets are built from solid hardwood throughout, with mortise-and-tenon joinery. No MDF, no particle board, no veneer over composite. That construction choice is what makes the lifetime structural guarantee feasible. *The Addison is solid hardwood with industrial grade laminate accents on the top rail.
What is the slate thickness on a C.L. Bailey table?/Where are C.L. Bailey tables made?
C.L. Bailey residential pool tables use 1-inch Italian slate, set in three matched sections seamed together at installation. That is the residential standard, and it is the thickness that holds level for the life of the table. Anything thinner is a compromise.
C.L. Bailey was founded in 1999 by Charles L. Bailey. The company's distribution hub is in Tomball, Texas. Slate is sourced from Italian quarries and seated on a hardwood substructure.
K-66 profile gum rubber cushions. The residential standard. Predictable rebound at every cue speed, consistent bank angles for casual or serious play. They wear on a long cycle, typically 15 to 25 years in a home, and are replaceable through your authorized dealer.
How long does pool table cloth last?/What cloth options are available on C.L. Bailey tables?
Every C.L. Bailey table can be fitted with Mali wool-nylon blend (75 percent wool, 25 percent nylon, Teflon coated, 21 ounce, more than 22 colors) or Velocity Pro worsted (85 percent wool, 15 percent nylon, 21 ounce, 12 colors). Mali is the classic napped American billiard cloth. Velocity Pro is the high-performance worsted alternative. Both are explored at /products/cloth.
Yes. Most C.L. Bailey models are available with a dining-top conversion that sets directly on the rails, transforming the table into a dinner table when not in play. Dining tops are sold as accessories per family (Skylar, Viking, Tunbridge, etc.) in matching finishes. Confirm dining-top availability for your chosen model with your authorized dealer.
Woolen cloth has a napped (fuzzy) surface and is the standard cloth on most home pool tables. It plays slower and is more affordable. Worsted cloth, like Velocity Pro, has a tighter, denser weave with no nap. Balls roll faster and more consistently on worsted cloth. Worsted also resists tracks, grooves, pilling, and liquid spills better than woolen cloth, and lasts longer under regular play. Velocity Pro worsted cloth comes standard on the Skylar, Viking, and Dutchess models and is available as a premium upgrade on all other C.L. Bailey tables.
Delivery and Installation
A residential C.L. Bailey installation runs roughly three to five hours with a trained two-person crew. The crew sets the cabinet, levels the slate, seams the joints, stretches the cloth, mounts the rails, and installs the pockets. The table is playable from the moment the crew leaves; the cloth needs about a week of light play to fully settle.
Does the quote include delivery and installation?/Can I install a C.L. Bailey table myself?
We do not recommend self-installation, and C.L. Bailey tables are not sold for self-install. Slate seating, leveling, seam work, and cloth stretching are skilled trades, and a poorly installed table plays poorly regardless of construction quality. The dealer model exists so a trained crew handles installation. Self-installation also voids the lifetime structural warranty.
How long does pool table installation take?/Why does C.L. Bailey only sell through dealers?
Clear the room of furniture, sweep the floor, install your overhead light fixture centered on the planned table position, and ensure a clear path from the front door to the room. The crew arrives with the cabinet, slate, rails, and cloth, and needs working space around the perimeter. Most dealers confirm thresholds, doorway widths, and stair access during the quote.
Yes. A C.L. Bailey table can be disassembled, transported, and reinstalled by a trained crew. The slate sections come up, the rails come off, the cabinet is moved, and the table is releveled and recovered (often with new cloth) at the new location. Plan for a professional move; do not have a general moving company attempt the disassembly.
Reschedule with your dealer. A C.L. Bailey table needs to land in a finished, climate-controlled room with the lighting installed, the floor swept, and a clear path for the slate. Installing into an unfinished space risks damage to the cabinet finish during construction work that follows. Most dealers can hold the table at their warehouse until the room is ready.
Warranty and Care
The C.L. Bailey lifetime structural guarantee covers frames, rails, slate substructure, and joinery on every solid hardwood pool table for as long as the original buyer owns the table. Wear items (cloth, pockets, rubber cushions, accessories) are not covered because they are designed to wear. Full guarantee terms live at /lifetime-guarantee.
Is the lifetime warranty transferable if I sell the table?/How do I make a warranty claim?
The lifetime structural guarantee covers the original buyer for as long as they own the table. The warranty does not transfer to subsequent owners. If you sell or pass on a C.L. Bailey table, the new owner can still purchase repair and recloth services through any authorized dealer, but the lifetime structural coverage ends with the original purchase.
Contact your authorized C.L. Bailey dealer first. They are your service contact for any structural issue and will document the claim, coordinate with C.L. Bailey, and arrange repair. If your original dealer is no longer in business or you have moved, the locator at /dealer can connect you with the nearest current authorized dealer for warranty service.
Brush the cloth lightly with a soft pool table brush, working along the length of the table from one short end to the other. On napped cloth, brush in the direction of the nap. A low-suction upholstery vacuum attachment can be used carefully on either cloth if dust accumulates. Avoid powerful vacuums, beater bars, and any wet cleaning. Detailed care guidance lives at /care-guide.
How long does pool table cloth last?/What cloth options are available on C.L. Bailey tables?
Most residential pool table cloth lasts five to ten years before showing wear that affects play. Worsted cloth (Velocity Pro) often runs on the longer end. Napped cloth (Mali) replaced on a regular cleaning schedule runs in the middle. Heavy daily use, sun exposure near a window, or liquid spills compress the cycle. Replacement is a half-day visit with your dealer.
How do I clean pool table cloth?/What cloth options are available on C.L. Bailey tables?
A C.L. Bailey table lives best in residential interior conditions: roughly 35 to 55 percent humidity and 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, with small daily and seasonal swings. Solid hardwood expands and contracts with humidity, and large swings stress the cabinet over time. A dehumidifier in damp basements and a properly conditioned room are the two most useful preventive measures.
Blot the spill immediately with a clean white cloth, working from the outside of the spill toward the center to keep it from spreading. Do not rub. Both Mali (Teflon-coated) and Velocity Pro resist initial absorption, which gives a few seconds before the liquid works in. If a stain remains after blotting, contact your dealer about cloth assessment or replacement.
How do I clean pool table cloth?/How long does pool table cloth last?
Dust the cabinet regularly with a soft dry cloth. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth followed by a dry wipe. Avoid silicone-based polishes, which build up on hand-rubbed finishes and dull the surface over time. A good quality lemon oil or beeswax polish, used sparingly twice a year, keeps the wood conditioned without altering the finish.
Call your authorized dealer when long rolls come up short, cushion rebound feels weaker, the cloth shows visible thinning or stains, or the table has shifted out of level after a move or floor work. The dealer scopes the visit (recloth, releveling, cushion replacement) and schedules the work. Routine cleaning between service visits is fine to handle yourself.
How long does pool table cloth last?/How do I make a warranty claim?
Shuffleboards
C.L. Bailey offers shuffleboards in 9-foot, 12-foot, and 14-foot lengths depending on the model. The Level Best is available in 9' and 12'. The Skylar and Viking shuffleboards are 12'. The Tunbridge shuffleboard is available in both 12' and 14'. Your authorized dealer can help you determine which length fits your room.
Viking Shuffleboard/Skylar Shuffleboard/Tunbridge Shuffleboard/Level Best Shuffleboard
Yes. All C.L. Bailey shuffleboards include climatic adjusters as standard equipment. Wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity, which can affect the levelness of the playfield. The adjusters let you fine-tune the surface concavity so pucks track straight regardless of seasonal conditions. Check and adjust them at least twice a year.
Clean the playfield with a soft, dry cloth after each session. Apply shuffleboard wax (silicone-based spray) before play to reduce friction and protect the polymer coating. Wipe down the cabinet with a damp cloth as needed. Check the climatic adjusters twice a year. The polymer-coated playfield does not require refinishing under normal residential use. Avoid placing the shuffleboard in direct sunlight or next to heating vents.
Yes. The Skylar, Viking, and Tunbridge shuffleboards are each designed to match the corresponding pool table collection in wood species, finish color, and design details. If you own a Skylar pool table, the Skylar Shuffleboard will share the same Warm Chestnut finish. The Level Best shuffleboard line stands on its own and does not match a specific pool table collection.
Viking Shuffleboard/Skylar Shuffleboard/Tunbridge Shuffleboard
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Answers from the C.L. Bailey workshop
Every C.L. Bailey table is sold, delivered, and installed by an authorized dealer. Find yours, and they will quote, schedule, and stand behind the table for life.
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