Skip to Content

Will A Pool Ball Break Porcelain Tile?

*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Have you ever been playing pool, and wondered what would happen to your tile if it went off the table? Maybe one of your friends has their pool table set up[ on tile and you want to know if a pool ball will break the tile? Well, in this article we will go over everything you need to know about pool balls and how strong they are. We will also answer your questions about porcelain tiles and if they will break by a pool ball. 

So will a pool ball break a porcelain tile?

Because there are different grades of porcelain tiles, it may break your tile, but it may not depending on its hardness. If you have porcelein tile that is a PEI 1 which is the weakest, it will probably break your tile. If you have a higher grade tile though that is made stronger, it will most likely just bounce off and not break the tile. 

If you want to know more about a pool ball breaking your porcelain tile, you will want to keep reading this article. If a pool ball has already broken your tile, you will definitely want to watch this video to learn how to replace one single porcelain tile in a room. 

If you are looking to get better at playing pool one of the best ways to do that is by upgrading your pool cue. One of my favorite cues is the Viking Valhalla. It is available in a variety of colors and won’t break the bank. You can find it by clicking here.

Porcelain Tiles

This tile is a new variety of ceramic tiles that many business owners and homeowners are not so knowledgeable about. They are known for their strength, durability and beauty.

Even though they are made from almost the same materials with ceramic tiles, they can be made stronger. Porcelain tiles are made better and offer many benefits. It is made from very dense clay that was fired at a standard temperature higher than how ceramic tiles are heated.

This makes them better at spaces that have fluctuating temperatures and are more reliable options in radiant heating solutions.

Pool Table - Premium Billiard 32 Pieces Accessory Kit - Pool Cue Sticks Bridge Ball Sets

If you have a pool table then you need to get this accessory kit. It includes pool cues, extra pool balls, and all the gear you need to keep your pool table in tip-top shape.

If you are tired of your kids (or friends) ruining your good pool cue when they play then having these extra ones will keep that from happening (just be sure to hide your good one!).

Pool Balls

Long ago, pool balls were made with ivory from elephants, sperm whales and walrus. Today, they are mainly made of polyester or phenolic resin. These pool balls are now made with these because if they continue making pool balls with ivory. They will threaten the animals in the wild. Though they are now made of resin, they are still durable as ivory made pool balls. 

It was also proven to be the best material available in making billiard balls due to its chip and scratch-resistant characteristics. Pool balls are widely made of phenolic resins that polyester. This is because the phenolic resin can last up to five times longer than polyester. Chemically speaking, it allows the ball to hold its high gloss polish over time creating less friction between the billiard cloth and other billiard balls.

Phenolic resins when heat cured properly, can offer a more stabilized material with homogenous density dispersion throughout each billiard ball. It means that the center of the ball is the genuine center of the ball giving you the guarantee that it is balanced and accurately rolls. Also, with the same process, it produces a vitrified high-density surface that can withstand any impact 50 times harder a polyester ball can.

Will a pool ball break a porcelain tile?

In terms of durability, porcelain tiles can hold up better than any other flooring types. It is known to be tough to be damaged. Phenolic resin and porcelain are different just by knowing their chemical compositions. Porcelain is made from ceramic materials while phenolic is made from polymeric materials. Their performance will be even more dissimilar than would be suggested by the difference in properties. In terms of mechanical properties such as elasticity and tensile strength, porcelain has greater value. 

In thermal properties such as maximum temperature is ranked first however for thermal expansion and specific heat capacity, the phenolic resin has greater values making it more durable in terms of temperature. Their strength to weights is almost the same. So concluding whether a pool ball can break a porcelain tile is quite difficult to say unless tested. Most likely, if the grade of the porcelain is in grade 1 which is the weakest then the porcelain tile will be broken by the pool ball. However, if it has a higher grade tile, it might be difficult to be damaged. A porcelain tile may also crack if it is not installed correctly because correctly installed porcelain tiles are said to never crack. In reality, it is not usual to have ceramic tile under a pool table.

What other floorings can be under a pool table?

Many people not only have tile in their homes, but a variety of their floorings. Below we will go over each one, and if a pool ball will damage them. This will give you the most knowledge to know where to place your pool table so you never have to worry about it damaging your floor. 

  • Area Rug

One of the best options for flooring is a thick area rug. It is placed underneath the pool table because it will not move around. Your pool table will stay level and the balls will land smoothly if they are knocked off the table onto the floor. Also, choose an area rug that can be cleaned easily if they are stained with food or drinks that are spilled while playing.

  • Linoleum

It was said that this type of flooring is the best to go underneath your pool table. It stays in place and will also keep your table in the level. If ever those balls are knocked off the table, they will not do too much damage on the floor. Its durability makes it easy to clean and is long-lasting.

Its most noticeable advantage of a linoleum floor is its price. It is much less expensive than any other natural materials such as ceramic, wood or stone flooring. It also utilizes a renewable resource because of its linseed oil from flax composition. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, and formaldehyde-free unlike other floorings such as vinyl flooring. It is smooth, water-resistant and easy to clean flooring that made it too popular nowadays.

  • Rubber Mats

This too offers great advantages. They are durable and long-lasting. It can ensure that you will get what your money is worth buying these mats. They also come in many colors that will give you more options in designing your room. These rubber mats are also so easy to clean if something is spilled over it while you are playing. Another advantage is that they are not expensive unlike other floorings. It can be removed easily as well and can be replaced anytime you want to change the flooring.

Conclusion

Tile can be a good option for those looking for a nice flooring underneath their pool tables. This will give you more reasons to be creative. It is also very easy to clean when food and drinks are spilled on the floor.

Nonetheless, tiles can give more drawbacks than any other possible flooring. It is more expensive than those that are mentioned above. It also has a lot of chances to break if a ball lands on it too hard. This is why it is recommended that if you want to use porcelain tiles, you have to pick porcelain tiles that are in the highest grade. This will further protect the tiles from damage. You may also put some rugs or rubber mats around or under the table to prolong the tiles life and to protect it from breaking that might be caused by pool balls.