What Are Ping Pong Tables Made Of – Let’s Take a Closer Look

Do you ever find yourself wondering, ‘what are ping pong tables made of?’ Well, congratulations! You’ve become so invested in the game that you’re now curious about the specifics of the equipment. Knowing this kind of information is important because it sharpens your skills when it comes to choosing the right kind of ping pong table. There are so many models in the market, and choosing the best one isn’t as straightforward as it seems. You need to make your decision based on your needs and experience level. In this article, we will take you through the ping pong table materials and the types of paints used in them. Hopefully, this information will come in handy the next time you’re shopping for tennis tables!

Ping Pong Table Materials

According to The Guardian Trusted Source How ping pong helps prisoners turn the tables on violence and reoffending | Prisons and probation | The Guardian A weekly table tennis session at HMP High Down improves behaviour, provides coaching skills – and boosts confidence<br> www.theguardian.com , Ping Pong is now being used in prisons to reduce the rate of violence. This is proof of how socially enjoyable the game is! One of the most critical yet overlooked elements of a ping pong table is the quality and make of the table itself. You can’t just go to your favorite retailer and purchase the most expensive table on display: you’ll likely end up losing your investment. You need to consider its construction. For instance, according to the International Table Tennis Federation, when a ping pong ball is dropped from a 30 cm height, it should achieve at least a 23cm bounce. When this rule was passed, manufacturers had to go back to the drawing board and design tables with a high bounce quality.

Here’s a quick overview of the main materials used on ping pong tables.

Table Top

The construction of the tabletop highly impacts the bounce quality. If you’re looking for the ideal ping pong table for indoor use, you should consider tables made from medium-density fiberboard, particleboard, and plywood. Outdoor ping pong tables, on the other hand, should ideally be made from metals, plastic, or fiberglass. This is because they are exposed to extreme weather conditions and require a more durable build.

Professional ping pong tables are often made from high-density fiberboard.

Undercarriage

The undercarriage of or ping pong table is responsible for supporting the tabletop from under. This is why it should have a robust and durable construction to prevent the table from being shaky. Most of the affordable options in the market have an aluminum undercarriage, and while this may sound like a great alternative, it’s susceptible to shaking and wears off easily, especially when the table is outdoors.

According to multiple reviews, the JOOLA NOVA Outdoor Tennis Table is one of the best models. The brand has been around for more than 60 years and the quality of its products is top-notch. This table, in particular, has a 30mm undercarriage and a high-quality tabletop that’s resistant to chipping and warping. It also comes pre-assembled and is tournament quality.

Alternatively, you could get the Killerspin MyT 415 model that also comes highly recommended. It’s foldable & easy to store, and the tabletop offers a high-quality bounce. It also has a UV-resistant finish that protects it from scuff marks, and you can calibrate it so that it’s the perfect playing level.

Net

Ping pong nets are often made from cotton cloth, nylon mesh, or synthetic materials and should be 6 inches high and 6 feet long. According to the ITTF, professional nets have to comply with various requirements, including color. It should be a single matte and should be made with a soft dark mesh. Yellow and white nets are not allowed.

Legs

Even though the undercarriage is responsible for stability, the legs on your ping pong table play a crucial role in enhancing its sturdiness and durability. They also impact your game because any minor shakes could compromise your play. The good news is that it’s easy to distinguish the quality of the ping pong table’s legs. You primarily have to look at the construction. The legs should be tubular and made from heavy-duty steel. They should also be powder coated as this will enhance their durability and enable them to withstand constant abuse without wearing off.

Types of Paint Used for Ping Pong Tables

According to the ITTF, Trusted Source The future is bright! How new rubber colours were decided... - International Table Tennis Federation Colourful racket coverings will arrive later this year. Many challenges had to be overcome along the way but we finally have our four new colours to choose from: pink, violet, green and blue. www.ittf.com tables tennis should be a colorful sport. However, what most recreational ping pong players don’t realize is that painting the table is a requirement from the ITTF and is not usually done for aesthetic appeal. Instead, the paint makes the playing surface smooth and easy to play on. The ITTF requires the tables to have a matte finish with a specular gloss to ensure high bounce quality. The standard color is usually a dark shade of blue or green for high visual contrast.

The powder-coating on the legs of the ping pong table is enough to protect them from corrosion and rust, so they don’t need to be painted.

Final Thoughts

What are ping pong tables made of? Well, the answer is dependent on the specific part of the table. For instance, the tabletop material varies based on whether it’s for indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor tables generally require strong materials such as heavy-duty steel because they are exposed to extreme weather conditions. In addition, the legs should be powder coated, while the undercarriage should be made from a durable material.

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