Regulation-size shuffleboard tables are 22 feet long by 20 inches wide. We can design a shuffleboard table to fit your room, regardless of how big or small your house is. In general, we build tables in 2-foot increments beginning with the 12-foot shuffleboard table size, but we can build one to fit your house to a custom size. Continue reading, you will know what shuffleboard table fits your home.
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What is the Guide for Shuffleboard Table Buying?
For anyone looking to purchase the best indoor shuffleboard table, whether for private use in a recreation room at home or for business use in a bar, our shuffleboard table buying guide is the ideal resource.
Before making a choice, we will teach you everything there is to know, including the quality of table materials and how they affect play, how much space a shuffleboard table requires, various surface finishes, wax, puck types, and much more.
Official Shuffleboard Table Size
The dimensions of a tournament table (also referred to as a regulation-size shuffleboard table) are 22 feet long by 20 inches wide. The actual size is closer to 23 feet long and 31 inches wide because the cradle, the narrow area surrounding the playing surface, adds inches to these measurements.
A regulation-sized shuffleboard table requires a room that is at least 26 feet long and 8 feet wide. Keep in mind that you must also leave a free space of at least 2 feet around the table for the players to maneuver around.
Best Shuffleboard Table Size for Your Home
Talking about the “best” size for a shuffleboard table is a little subjective. Instead of talking about the table size you want, the conversation is more frequently about the size of the table you can fit in your home. The ideal shuffleboard table is 22 feet long, but a smaller table can offer a similar vibe and countless hours of fun. After all, having a smaller shuffleboard table is preferable to none at all, right?
Here is a list of the most commonly available table sizes and their advantages:
- 8-foot shuffleboard table: Most people believe this to be the smallest shuffleboard table that can still offer a playable surface. Since you don’t have the space but still need to play shuffleboard, we only advise this option.
- 9-foot shuffleboard table: It’s much simpler to clean and maintain than a 22-foot monster, to start. In addition to making it simpler to fit multiple tables into a single space, the smaller size also makes the game easier to learn and more kid-friendly. Even though the casual play is what it’s best for, it also encourages a more controlled playing style.
- 12-foot shuffleboard table: The 12-foot table is great for businesses because it’s another option for casual players and allows you to fit more tables into a single space. Having a play feel similar to a 9-foot table.
- 14-foot shuffleboard table: The 14-foot table is halfway between small and medium-sized shuffleboard tables in size. It’s still compact enough for recreational players and beginners but provides space for a wider range of playing techniques. Perfect for those who desire a satisfying game of shuffleboard but who are still constrained by a lack of space.
- 16-foot shuffleboard table: A 16-foot mid-range table provides a similar experience to a full table while still being accessible to newcomers. If you have the extra 2 feet in length, it’s a good improvement over the 14-foot table overall.
- 18-foot shuffleboard table: The 18-foot table is a great addition to any recreation room, whether it be in a home or business, that has room for it. The size of the table will appeal to customers who are already interested in the game the most, so the increased difficulty will keep them coming back. While this is happening, the length of a table for personal use is not far from full size, so even if you don’t have room for one, the experience is still very similar.
- 20-foot shuffleboard table: simply the second-best choice for shuffleboard fans after regulation size.
- 22-foot shuffleboard table: Because it is the official size used in competitions, this is the regulation size. You’re good to go if you can fit this table in your home.
In a sense, it’s also more important to consider the people than the shuffleboard table. We are talking about elbow space, room for other people to sit back and watch, a healthy distance away from fragile things such as windows or decorations (there’s always a player who loves wild shots), and the space required for players to maneuver.
Custom Shuffleboard Sizes
Your best option is to have a table specially created for your space if you have very specific space-related needs and want one that perfectly addresses those. In addition to being made in the size that you specify, a custom shuffleboard table will also use the wood, pucks, finishes, and other materials that you prefer.
But keep in mind that this will also increase the cost of the table relative to a standard table made in one of the sizes that the supplier provides.
Shuffleboard Tables for Narrow Spaces
You should probably think about a table in the smaller size range if your home’s only available space is still quite constrained. Even after taking everything else into account, an 8 to 12-foot table will still be too small to accommodate unless you’re a professional or a dedicated shuffleboard player.
Other Considerations Before Getting a Shuffleboard Table
PUCKS AND BOWLING PINS
Pucks, which are also known as weights and have hard plastic caps on top, are needed for playing shuffleboard. The highest quality pucks are constructed from sturdy chrome-plated steel and are perfectly balanced for speed and control.
Shuffleboard bowling, a fun game that emphasizes technique and control more than traditional bowling, uses pins. They typically come with a setter, or triangle, that is used to arrange them on the table. They are typically made of solid wood.
CLIMATIC ADJUSTER
As you probably know, temperature changes cause wood to expand or shrink, which means that seasonal changes will affect your table, along with humidity in the air.
Location is important, of course, but even if you live somewhere with very mild temperatures, you shouldn’t completely discount your table swelling or shrinking because that can cause bowing and leave you without a playable surface.
Your table’s convexity or concavity can be adjusted with the aid of climate adjusters. Outside of professional settings, of course, this is completely up to preference, but most people will choose to have their tables slightly concave to make it harder for pucks to fly off the edges.
CABINET DESIGN
The construction of shuffleboard tables varies. Many modern shuffleboard factories make laminated tables, which can be good for commercial use but won’t quite have the right “feel” to them that shuffleboard lovers are looking for. These establishments may choose a cabinet made of particleboard or even MDF, which means that the owners won’t be too upset if the tables start to look a little worn out after frequent use.
However, high-quality tables are constructed from solid hardwood, forgoing laminated materials in favor of a shop-grade hardwood plan for the playing surface. The body of the table is typically made of the same material as well, giving it a more durable structure. Those who adore shuffleboard enough to own a table at home usually choose this!
SCORE METER
Why not complete the set with a shuffleboard score meter to play in style if you already have a gorgeous hardwood shuffleboard table and a set of high-quality pucks? You could probably keep score on a piece of paper, but having a special piece of equipment makes everything feel much more official.
There are many different types of score meters, from electronic ones with a wide range of options to straightforward analog ones like classy meters made of wood and brass that you slide, just like in the old days. However, some of them require installation into your table, so be cautious when selecting.
How to Care for the Shuffleboard Table?
You might quickly become overwhelmed by the number of factors to take into account when choosing a shuffleboard (nay, the ideal shuffleboard table).
Best Materials for Your Table
The components used to construct each shuffleboard are available in a wide variety. Before making a purchase, consider the type of wood and finish you want because each choice will affect the price of the shuffleboard table in addition to how it looks. Before making your choice, read everything there is to say about each type of wood because there are just as many fervent supporters as there are vocal opponents. The following is a list of the most popular materials used in the construction of quality shuffleboard tables:
- Popular
- North American Maple Wood
- White Maple
- Russian Birch
- Canadian Soft Maple
- Maple
- Birch
- Oak
- Mahogany
The thickness of Your Playing Field
A shuffleboard table’s surface board can be anywhere between 1.5 and 3 inches thick. It’s a good idea to go by the latter measurement since it’s probably the most typical and is determined by the thickness of the board itself plus the sealants and surface finishers.
Additionally, keep in mind that the surface board is not meant to be completely flat. It is customary for shuffleboard tables to have a slight concavity.
Surface Finish
Shuffleboard tables were traditionally made of harder wood, with lacquer or shellac used to finish the surface. The table itself needed to be re-coated frequently to prevent the wood from being harmed due to the thin layers of material used for the surface. Furthermore, it was discovered that early lacquers were dangerous.
Today’s surface finishes are made of sturdier synthetic polymers like epoxy and polyurethane. Your table will be able to withstand more blows without denting thanks to these materials, along with sturdy construction and a hardwood base. This does not necessarily imply that one is superior to the other, though.
Using Wax Or Powder on Your Table
Although it goes by many names, shuffleboard wax serves the same purpose. Shuffleboard sand or shuffleboard powder are other names for shuffleboard table wax. It’s regarded as a crucial component of indoor shuffleboard competition, whatever name it goes by.
The shuffleboard wax is made of ground corn and tiny silicone beads. The idea is to make the puck move from one end of the table to the other as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“There are numerous varieties of wax available, so it’s critical to choose the one that is appropriate for your table’s size and level of expertise. Slower waxes generate more friction, which slows the puck’s motion. Small tables and new players will find this to be ideal. Long tables and professional play benefit from faster waxes since these situations call for greater skill. Fast waxes are NOT recommended for short tables.” (source) Before a game, shuffleboard wax is sprinkled on the table. Shuffleboard table wax also referred to as shuffleboard powder, shuffleboard sand, and by many other names, is a substance used to facilitate the puck’s easy transition from one end of the table to the other. For some, it is a crucial aspect of the shuffleboard experience.
Although there is some disagreement among players regarding the proper use of wax in shuffleboard, this section is written with the premise that you have already made the decision to use wax and are looking for the best solution available.
How about the composition of shuffleboard wax? The most common components of shuffleboard wax are diminutive silicone balls and ground corn (which explains why it’s also called “shuffleboard dust”). Depending on the size of your table, you should choose among the various types of wax. A longer table will benefit from a “faster” type of wax, but a shorter table will need the “slower” type to keep the puck from flying off from end to end each turn.
How Much Space Do You Need for a Shuffleboard Table?
The recommended space is between 2.5 and 3 feet, but you might want to leave a little more for personal preference. How much room is needed behind a shuffleboard table could be as little as 2 feet but this is a little tight 28-30″ is more than enough space to enjoy the shuffleboard.
Conclusion
To ensure that the table pieces you are interested in can pass through doors and hallways unharmed, remember to test your home. Then, make sure there is enough space (2 feet is ideal) for people to play shuffleboard without being obstructed. By keeping everything in mind, you’ll be able to choose the ideal shuffleboard for your house and be overjoyed with your purchase.