Types Of Ping Pong Tables You Should Know

If you are looking for a new, exciting and challenging game to play with your friends and family then you need to check out ping pong! There are so many different rules, regulations, and strategies involved with this sport that it can keep even the most avid poker player on their toes.

However, unless you know what you are doing, you could easily end up with a table that is too hard or too easy for you and your loved ones to enjoy. This article will give you the low-down on the different types of ping pong tables available and help you choose the one that is right for you and your family.

Types Of Ping Pong Tables

Indoor

Indoor tables are usually made of wood and come in standard sizes like 6 feet by 3 feet or 8 feet by 4 feet. These tables have a hard surface with a laminate or vinyl top. They are great for new players or those who just want a low-cost option. 

These tables are usually lighter in weight than outdoor tables, which means that they can be easily blown over. When storing your indoor table inside your home, it’s important that you keep it at a relatively stable room temperature so that there are not wild fluctuations. Any sort of fluctuations in temperature as well as humidity can warp the top surface of your table and cause it to peel apart. Surprisingly, warping is actually more common than peeling. It’s something that happens over time and even if you take proper care of your table. 

Outdoor

Outdoor tables are usually made of steel or aluminum and come in standard sizes like 10 feet by 6 feet or 12 feet by 8 feet. These tables have a wooden or composite playing surface with a vinyl or rubber top. They are very popular among tournament players and are usually much heavier than indoor tables.Some outdoor tables even have a canvas or nylon material covering the top. This is perfect if you want to play on a hot day or if you plan to entertain outdoors often.

Many outdoor ping pong tables are made of teak and have a natural wooden finish. They are more expensive than indoor ping pong tables but last much longer and have a very distinctive look.Then again, there are also outdoor ping pong tables that are made of synthetic materials and look exactly like indoor ones. These can be very useful if you intend to play on your table all the time because they will not get damaged by the elements. 

Regulation

Tables come in three different regulation sizes; 6 feet by 6 feet, 6 feet by 9 feet and 9 feet by 6 feet. The smaller size is perfect for home use, while the larger ones are more appropriate for a commercial setting. The middle one is the most common size used in clubs and restaurants. It’s also the one you should choose if you are going to play at someone else’s home. 

They have a hard top with an oiled felt bottom. This allows you to play on the hard surface if you desire but also has the added advantage of being resistant to moisture. This ping pong table has a soft top made of rubberized material that provides a non-slip playing surface. Also, it has a leather bottom for added durability.

This type of table can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Adjustable Height: This ping pong table has height adjustable legs that allow you to set the playing surface at just the right height. Some models have telescoping legs so you can make the adjustment at both ends. If your ping pong table does not have this feature, simply raise or lower the table as necessary by using a block of wood or other heavy object to push down on the legs.

Conversion

This is suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. It is made of all weather synthetic materials and has a vinyl coating on the top and bottom for extra protection against the elements. It is easy to clean and can be set up either as an outdoor table or an indoor one. The vinyl coating will not peel off and is impervious to moisture. This ping pong table has an iron frame with plastic corner protectors. This type of construction is more durable than one that is made of wood. This means you will have a truly pleasurable experience while playing on this table.

Mini Table

This mini ping pong table is ideal for home use and is usually about 42” in diameter. It is smaller than a regulation size table and is great for practicing on before taking your game to the next level. This type of ping pong table comes in different sizes. Also, because they are much smaller, they are easier and cheaper to ship and store.

Ideal for young kids who are just getting started playing ping-pong and are too small to easily use a regulation-size table, mini tables make it easy for even young children to play. Because they are so compact and lightweight, they are easy to fold up and store way and do not take up a lot of storage space in your home. Additionally, many mini tables have a feature that allows the table tops to be tilted slightly towards the middle.

Additionally, these tables are not as high as typical regulation tables. Not only does this mean that children can more easily see the game that they are playing but it makes it much easier for them to hit the ball as they will not have to reach up and over their heads in order to be able to control the ball.

Table Top

Novelty ping-pong tables are not great for training to become a professional ping-pong player but are a lot of fun for people of all ages and skill levels to use. They are very common in offices as they can be placed on a desk for an impromptu game that is sure to break the tension and help people relax.

If you have a very high-powered job with lots of pressure and stress, a simple game of ping-pong can help you deal with that tension and relax. If you are looking for a ping-pong table for a child or a teenager, the best option is a novelty ping-pong table with a brightly colored surface.

Although these tables are usually much cheaper than the others, they are not recommended unless the kids or teenagers have a passion for ping-pong. These tables are often made of a thin sheet of plastic and are easily damaged. Also, they don't provide enough stamina for adult players.

Feature

Folding

You can fold it up and put it on the wall easily. This makes it easy to store and takes up very little space. Most folding tables only fold in half, meaning you still have to remove the legs to put them in the trunk of your car or in the back of your pickup. With this desk, you can fold the top and sides together, then roll up all your furniture and store it in a cupboard or under the bed.

Wheels

Four casters underneath that allow it to be moved easily. The wheels have brakes on them so they won't spin out of control even if someone is pushing hard on the table. This means you can push the table very close to the wall without having to worry about it tipping over. If you need more stability, you can lock the wheels by pulling a small knob located next to each one.

Material

Fabric

There are some conversion top ping-pong tables that do have fabric. This is because they often double as a pool table as well when the net is removed. While this type of table is fine if you want to play on it with friends, you will never experience a very high-quality game the way you would from a table that is made with a wood or even a quality plastic top. The fabric will naturally create more friction with the ball and cause it to slow down.

Wood

Ping pong tables that are made with wood have all the qualities of a great ping pong table. They offer the most stability and also the best bounce. They also last forever. If you are looking for a ping pong table, this is definitely the type you should be considering. But, they do have one drawback. The fact that they are made with wood means they are not as portable as some other options. 

Plastic

Plastic is the most durable and long-lasting material available for countertops. It is waterproof and can withstand the elements. It comes in a variety of colors and can be ordered with a print or a plain vinyl coating. This countertop is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use and is easy to clean. In addition, it is resistant to scratches and dents. This means you'll get years of enjoyment with this ping pong table.

While plastic is a good choice, it has some downsides. For one, it is more prone to scratches and cracks than other materials. Second, as it is plastic it will eventually crack or peel if used outdoors in all weather conditions.

FAQS:

Can you make a ping pong table out of plywood?

 

Plywood sheets are sold in a few different sizes, making it easy to purchase the correct size of plywood for a ping pong table. Select plywood that is 1 inch or 3/4 of an inch thick. This size of plywood is acceptable for a homemade ping pong table.

What is the best material to make a ping pong table?

Generally, plywood, spruce, and pine wood are ideal for making the ping pong table. Spruce or pine wood is softwood that can offer good bounce of the ball. If you want a better quality one, you can also use the medium-density fibreboard (MDF) 

How thick should a ping pong table be?

The playing surface should be at least 3/4 inches or 19mm thick. Anything of lesser thickness will warp too easily and not give consistent ball bounce.

Conclusion

There are different types of ping pong tables. Each has its own characteristics and is very popular in bars and restaurants. Therefore, it is important that you be aware of the different types of tables. The types of tables above will help you decide which type of desk you need.