You can’t play pool without a light. And if you want to attract new players and get them to stick around, it’s time you installed a light!
You can’t play pool without a light. And if you want to attract new players and get them to stick around, it’s time you installed a light!
Installing a pool table light is easy if you know what you’re doing. But most people who attempt it will make a mess of things and have to call a professional. That’s not the way to go if you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
If you’ve always wanted to install a pool table light but just haven’t gotten around to doing it yet, here’s an article with step-by-step instructions. I’ve put this article together from various sources on the web, and from my personal experience.
So, How to Install a Pool Table Light
Here’s what I learned during my installation. This project is not for the weak at heart and requires some experience with plumbing and electrical work.
Here is a step-by-step guide to installing a pool table light for a commercial grade table.
It’s easy to install pool table lights. We’ll show you how to do it yourself and save money, too.
Guide for Installing Pool Table Light
Use a tape measure to measure the length and width of your pool table. Mark the center, and then use tape to mark it.
Using a plumb line, align the center of the table with the ceiling. Then mark the ceiling at the point where it is aligned with the center of the pool table.
Measure the length (x) from the center of your lighting system to both sides of its chain. If you have to measure twice, to make sure you didn’t do it wrong the first time.
Measure the same length (x) on both sides of the pencil-marked point of the ceiling, and then drill two holes in a stud on either side of the point.
Screw the hooks into the wall so they are tight.
Hang the chains to the hooks and make sure the chains are the correct length.
To keep the lighting even, you must keep the chain links the same size as one another.
After installing the lighting, you should turn it off and adjust any other sources of light so they don’t cast any shadows.
How to Hang a Pool Table Light
It’s no surprise that there are more people who want to play pool in their own home than have a house full of rooms to accommodate the game. But whether you’re a pro or just a casual player, having a pool table light is essential for setting the mood and making it look like you mean business. Here’s how to hang the right pool table light in your own space.
The official rules for a regulation size American billiards/pool table are set by the World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA). If the fixture above the table may be moved, the minimum height of the fixture should not be lower than 65 inches above the bed of the table. Now if the light is non-movable, the fixture should not be lower than 95 inches above the bed of the table.
You should aim to get as much light as possible on your subject while keeping the light soft enough not to be blinding. That means your light should be about 40 inches above the top of your subject’s table (if they are sitting up) and no more than 70 inches above the bottom of the table.
You should be aware that your light fixture should be at least 30 inches above the table. It should be placed at least 30 inches away from the edge of the table so that people don’t hit their heads when they’re playing. If the light fixture is too close to the table, you may need to adjust it.
If it’s too high, it might cause glare and make it difficult for players to see the balls. Also, try to place the light a little bit further away from the table so you don’t have any glare. If your light isn’t placed properly, it can also affect your game.
In addition, the lighting needs to be aimed in a certain direction. If it’s aimed in an incorrect direction, it can make it difficult for you to see where you’re going. Your light should be aimed at the center of the table.
Tips for Installing Pool Table Lighting
- Find the center of the table.
- A good starting point is to install a single spotlight above your pool table and another near each of the corners.
- Place lighting on the ceiling and adjust.
- Use light that is evenly distributed around the table.
- Find the right size light bulb for the job.
- Adjust the shade to your liking.
- Use dimmer switches.
- Use a dimmer switch to adjust the level of illumination when it’s time to game.
- Get a timer for your lighting.
Further Maintenance of Your Pool Table Light
It’s important to keep the pool table light clean and clear of dust and dirt. This will ensure that the light stays bright and effective. You should use a tack cloth to clean the light fixture. Using a rag or a dust-free cloth could cause the lamp to get dirty.
If that happens, you’ll have to disassemble the fixture and clean it. That’s time-consuming and unnecessary. A tack cloth is much cheaper than having to do this every once in a while. Clean the pool table light fixture every couple of months.
This will help maintain its effectiveness. You should dust the fixture with a damp cloth at least once a month. You should clean the pool table light after every use.
Finally, you should replace the old lamp with a new one. The bulbs on these lights usually last about five years. The fixture itself can last longer than that, but it can still be a hassle to replace. What to Know Before Installing Pool Table Lights You should never install pool table lights in an area where people are likely to fall.
If someone were to get hurt while using your light, that could be considered negligent. You must also think about how your light might affect the way that you play pool. You may want to use a smaller light for practice so you can keep the light aimed in the right direction.
Hanging Pool Table Light Fixtures If you have a room with a ceiling height of more than 18 feet, you might have some difficulty hanging the pool table lights. There’s no perfect solution for this situation, but you have a few options.
Achieving the most optimal light output
There are many variables that can affect the intensity of the light from a pool table lamp. This is a very important factor to consider if you want to achieve the most optimal results when using a pool table light to illuminate your game.
You see, if the light is too intense, it will wash out the delicate colors of the balls and cause them to appear gray. This will make it harder for you to accurately determine where the balls land on the pool table.
On the other hand, if the light is not intense enough, then the light will not be bright enough to read the cue ball and give you the necessary visual cues to enable you to make a good shot.
You should use a high-wattage bulb, but not just any old bulb. You’ll want to look for a bulb with a reflector and a long, thin filament. In most cases, this means a bulb that is about 3 inches in diameter. The filament is the wire inside the bulb, and it’s the part of the bulb that gives off light. The filament has a specific size and shape that determines how much light it will put out.
Conclusion
Installing a pool table light is a fairly simple job, and it’s an easy DIY project that won’t cost you much. It’s also something that most homeowners can do themselves, but if you have any issues with it, a professional pool table installer can install a pool table light for you.
When installing a pool table light, it’s important to make sure that you choose a light fixture that is designed for your particular installation. It’s also very important to install the pool table light properly so that you get the most out of the light, and it doesn’t affect the playability of your table.
