7 Best Pool Table Shims For Uneven Floors That Level

Nothing ruins a Friday night game of eight-ball quite like a ball that refuses to stay centered or consistently rolls toward the corner pocket. Even a slight floor pitch can turn a professional-grade table into a source of constant frustration. Finding the right shim solution saves hours of gameplay headaches and preserves the long-term integrity of the slate surface.

Wobble Wedges: Best All-Around Leveling Solution

Wobble wedges are a staple in most households because they offer a reliable, non-slip grip that holds up under the immense weight of a slate pool table. The patented ridged design allows these plastic shims to lock into place without sliding out over time, even with the subtle vibrations of daily house activity.

Because they are made from a high-density, flexible polymer, they won’t crack or splinter under the pressure of a heavy table frame. They are especially useful for renters or homeowners who move frequently, as these wedges can be reused indefinitely without losing their structural integrity.

The bottom line is simple: choose these if the floor has minor dips or if the table needs to be adjusted slightly to compensate for settling floorboards. They are affordable, discreet, and arguably the most forgiving option for a beginner attempting to level a table for the first time.

Build-A-Shim: Best for Stacking on Deep Slopes

When the floor has a noticeable, dramatic pitch, a standard single-thickness shim often falls short. Build-A-Shim systems allow for an interlocking, modular approach where each layer snaps into the next, ensuring the stack remains solid rather than shifting like a deck of cards.

This is the preferred choice for older homes with uneven hardwood flooring or basements where the concrete slab was never poured perfectly flat. By creating a custom height, you ensure that the load is distributed evenly across the frame rather than forcing the table to balance on a single, precarious point.

These are best suited for households that prioritize stability over aesthetic invisibility. While they might be slightly bulkier than simple wedges, the peace of mind provided by a locked, stable stack is well worth the trade-off.

Beechwood Shims: The Traditional, Trusted Choice

For those who believe that wood belongs with wood, beechwood shims offer a natural, aesthetically pleasing alternative to plastic. These provide a firm, rigid surface that won’t compress over time, ensuring that the heavy weight of the pool table remains exactly where it was placed during the initial installation.

Beech is an ideal wood choice because it is hard enough to resist crushing but easy enough to trim or shave down with a standard wood chisel. This makes them perfect for custom-fitting to the specific grain of your flooring or the unique geometry of a table leg.

Consider these if the table is situated in a formal dining room or a dedicated game room where exposed plastic might look out of place. They are the traditional choice for a reason: they are durable, reliable, and blend seamlessly into the character of the home.

Deslauriers Shims: For Extra Heavy-Duty Support

When dealing with a professional-grade pool table featuring thick slate, the weight requirements are significantly higher than standard furniture. Deslauriers shims are designed for the construction industry, meaning they are built to withstand structural loads that would crush thinner, hobby-grade leveling products.

These shims are often larger and more robust, making them ideal for table legs that have a wide footprint. Because they are typically injection-molded for high-impact environments, they offer maximum resistance to compression, even if the table is relocated or bumped during regular use.

Opt for these if the household has a high-traffic game room where bumps and vibrations are frequent. They provide a “set it and forget it” solution that ensures the slate remains perfectly horizontal regardless of external pressures.

Ram-Pro Wedges: A Versatile, Multi-Use Option

Ram-Pro wedges excel in households where versatility is valued. Their tapered design allows for fine-tuning, while the textured surface provides enough friction to prevent the table from “walking” or shifting during an intense game of billiards.

These are particularly useful for homeowners who want a product that can serve multiple roles throughout the house, from leveling a wobbly bookcase to stabilizing a washing machine. Their compact size makes them easy to store in a junk drawer or toolkit for whenever a household project arises.

If you are looking for a cost-effective solution that balances performance with practical accessibility, this is a strong contender. They represent a smart, thrifty choice for the homeowner who prefers to keep a supply of reliable hardware on hand at all times.

Q-Shims: Easiest to Trim for a Clean, Custom Fit

Sometimes the gap between the floor and the table leg is irregular, requiring a shim that can be manipulated without cracking. Q-Shims are designed to be easily trimmed with heavy-duty scissors or a utility knife, allowing you to hide the shim perfectly under the shadow of the table leg.

Their soft, pliable material is forgiving during the cutting process, reducing the risk of splitting that often occurs with wood or brittle plastic shims. This makes them an excellent choice for a DIY project where you want a clean, professional finish without needing a workshop full of tools.

These are best for homeowners who value a discreet look. Once installed, they are virtually invisible to the naked eye, keeping the focus on the table itself rather than the corrective hardware underneath.

Bedrocks Levelers: The Permanent, No-Slip Answer

For those who want a high-performance solution that integrates directly into the table, Bedrocks offer a specialized leveling system that feels less like a temporary fix and more like a permanent repair. They provide a massive surface area, which helps prevent the damage that smaller, point-load shims can cause to delicate flooring.

The “no-slip” nature of these levelers is their standout feature, as they are engineered to maintain a high coefficient of friction against both carpet and hard surfaces. This keeps the table locked in its precise position, even if it is placed on a slightly slick surface like polished tile or laminate.

While these may carry a higher price point, the investment is justified for homeowners who have already spent a significant amount on their table and want to protect that investment. They are the top-tier choice for those who want their pool table to remain perfectly level for years without needing any maintenance or readjustment.

How to Properly Install Your New Pool Table Shims

Installation starts by using a high-quality bubble level, or better yet, a carpenter’s level, placed across the slate in multiple directions. Never place a shim until you have identified exactly which corner is the lowest and by how much, as adding height to the wrong side will only compound the problem.

Always lift the table leg carefully using a furniture jack or with the help of two people to ensure the slate does not crack during the shift. Slide the shim underneath slowly, checking the level again before gently lowering the weight back down.

Safety Tip: Never work alone when lifting a pool table, as the immense weight can lead to injury or structural damage to the table. Once leveled, double-check every corner, as adjusting one side often causes a slight shift in the others.

Plastic vs. Wood: Which Shim Material Is Right?

Choosing between plastic and wood depends primarily on your floor type and your patience for maintenance. Plastic shims are generally immune to moisture, making them the superior choice for basements or garage-converted game rooms where humidity levels fluctuate.

Wood shims, however, offer a level of rigidity that some traditionalists prefer, and they can be sanded or stained to match the finish of the table legs. If the floor is carpeted, wood often provides a more stable foundation, as it doesn’t flex as much as cheaper plastic options.

Consider the environment of the room first: if the space is prone to dampness, skip the wood to avoid potential rotting or swelling. If the area is climate-controlled and the priority is aesthetics, a high-quality hardwood shim will provide a classic look that holds up just as well as synthetic materials.

Using a Level: The Only Way to Know It’s Perfect

A visual guess is never enough when leveling a pool table, as the human eye is easily deceived by baseboards and walls that may also be crooked. A professional-grade long level is the most important tool in this process; it ensures that your measurements are based on gravity rather than the surrounding architecture.

Always check the table in all four directions: side-to-side, end-to-end, and diagonally across both long axes. If the bubble is even a fraction off-center, the balls will inevitably drift during a slow roll.

Do not settle for “close enough” simply because the task is tedious. Taking the extra twenty minutes to ensure the bubble is dead-center will pay dividends in years of accurate, professional-feeling gameplay.

Properly leveling your pool table is an essential part of home ownership that rewards patience with a superior gaming experience. By selecting the right material for your specific environment and taking the time to verify with a level, you ensure your table remains the centerpiece of the room for years to come.