Every pool table owner should have one. Unless you have a dust-free pool room, it makes sense to provide a pool table cover for that delicate piece of gaming furniture. Dust and debris have a way of eroding your pool table rails and felt cloth top. Never mind the hardwood rails as they can withstand dust.

Nothing beats being pro-active and preventing dust to accumulate to begin with. And there's a wide variety of pool covers to do the job well. When you've spent anywhere from $3000 to $5000 and higher on a spanking pool table, investing on as little as $60 or less for a pool cover is pittance.. That's just the equivalent to about 1% to 2% of your pool table cost.

So how does one go about getting the right pool cover? If the dealer of your pool table didn't offer you one when you bought it, there are aftermarket pool covers in a variety of brands, colors, sizes, materials and prices to fit your taste and budget. It would also be a good idea to get one that matches your pool table's wood color or room d'cor.

If you are in the market for one, the first thing to do is to get the table specs and check its dimensions. You can measure that yourself. Sizes typically matches pool table dimensions with the smallest around 38? x 76? to the largest at 50? by 100.? A good fit gives always makes the cover look good on your pool table.

Looking at most pool cover inventories on the net, some of the better ones hover in the $100 price point. And there are truly inexpensive ones starting at $7. Of course, just like any merchandise item out there, there are exotic covers that can cost an arm.

In general, the better and practical pool table covers are made of leatherettes on the outside with soft cloth linings on the inside to gently protect the pool table top and wood rails. You can see different descriptions such as fabric-backed or polyester-lined vinyl covers. The inexpensive ones forgo the linings altogether but are nonetheless gentle as they are made of soft synthetic cloth-like materials or plastic.

While the more expensive one use soft suede, real leather or some exotic cloth with silk linings. Some even have pillow-like fillings in-between. And they often look better on your pool table especially if it matches your interior design.

Regardless of which pool cover you choose, just remember that pool covers do an ounce of prevention every time you use it. Arguably the more expensive ones do a better job. But you need not spend more than necessary. Anything above $100 would most likely belong in the frivolous luxury category.