In this article, we’ll present a short analysis of the kinds of concrete ping pong tables that are available and how much these types of tables can cost. You can learn about the special features of each table and make an educated decision about which one will be best for you. Here are some of the most important features to look for when you are considering getting a concrete table tennis table.
The durability of concrete ping pong tables is a good reason to put in the time and effort required to make them!
A Concrete Playing Surface
If you are in the market for a new table tennis table, you will find that there are plenty of options available at a wide range of different prices. A concrete ping pong table can vary widely in price. The most important thing to remember is that you’ll be setting up your table soon and hearing the enticing sounds of ping pong balls bouncing on the concrete in no time.
The most important thing to look for when you are considering a new table tennis table is the thickness of the top. Tops can range in thickness from half an inch to an inch. A good rule of thumb is that the playing surface should be at least 3/4 inches or 19 millimeters thick.
A table like the JOOLA Inside model features a 15 millimeter MDF playing surface. This table provides a consistent bounce but it plays a little bit slower than a thicker 22 millimeter or 25 millimeter table. A table like the Stiga Advantage features an identical 15 millimeter MDF playing surface. Generally, you will get better performance from table tennis tables that are 22 millimeters or 25 millimeters.
So keep those numbers in mind when you are looking for a concrete table because the thickness of the table will certainly affect the bounce of the ball. Also, the tabletop needs to be extremely smooth, which is especially important for concrete tables, so that the ball does not hit a crack or a ridge and bounce erratically in a strange direction.
When you install an outdoor ping pong table, it is easier to provide enough space for everyone to be comfortable. Outdoor game tables can often be made out of concrete so that they are more resistant to the elements. Even with thick surfaces, it can often be hard to achieve a uniform bounce on this kind of surface, but that is one of the trade-offs you might have to make if you decide on an outdoor environment.
Balls that bounce a little erratically can be part of the fun if you are playing beer pong. You might have seen the game on TV, been involved in a game yourself many years ago, or heard about it and wondered how to play.
Beer pong is really fun for people of all types. Tall people or short people, men, and women can all take part in the fun. Most standard beer pong party cups that people use at house parties are 16 ounces, but using bigger cups can increase the amount of fun you have! For example, some party cups are 36 ounces and you can even find them going up to 110 ounces! With cups that size, you and your friends can keep the beer pong games going all night long.
How to Make a Concrete Ping Pong Table
You can even go online to learn how to make your own concrete ping pong table, which could be a good idea if you are on a budget and don’t want to spend a lot of money. A real concrete ping pong table can cost several hundred dollars, but you can easily make your own by using your own concrete and other cheaper materials from Home Depot or Amazon.
Some bags of concrete and a few pieces of plywood, MDF, or particle board can help get your project completed and allow you to get some table tennis playback right away. Make sure you know your strengths and weaknesses before diving into something you might be unable to finish. The satisfaction that comes from finishing a DIY project can be worth the money you save.
But also remember that the cost of a new ping pong table might not be much higher than it could turn out to be if you take on this DIY project. Just keep in mind that you might also need a few other people to help you create your concrete ping pong table and also to help you transport it. Lifting a concrete ping pong table can be an almost impossible task for a single person.
How to Purchase a Concrete Ping Pong Table
For some people, buying a concrete ping pong table makes more sense. We deal with apartment communities, schools, resorts, parks and recreation departments, universities, government institutions, and more. These types of customers benefit from buying a concrete table tennis table that will last for decades. There are only a few manufacturers of concrete ping pong tables in the United States.
The concrete tables that they offer come in a range of designs (such as Uptown and Cantilever) with customization of the net system (such as a steel net) whenever this is possible. These companies also make other structures like concrete cornhole boards, concrete foosball tables, and concrete chess tables.
Stone Age Outdoor and Henge are two examples of concrete ping pong table manufacturers that feature models that are well suited for outdoor public spaces. They produce similar, sturdy structures. Table dimensions mostly follow the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) regulations except that the nets are flush with the table as a safety precaution.
The most noteworthy ITTF regulation regards “the bounce:” balls must bounce back 9.5 inches when dropped from 12 inches. It has been found that both companies satisfy these regulations in their models. Bravado and Henge both offer at least two models and numerous customization options for clients. You’ll find these companies are located on opposite sides of the coast in Roseburg, Oregon, and New York City, and this means you can select the vendor that is closest to you.
Why Choose a Concrete Ping Pong Table?
Concrete ping pong tables are structures that can be used in multiple ways with versatility beyond just ping pong, bringing people together for outdoor fun. Built to last, the best outdoor ping pong tables can withstand all of the seasons for many decades of memories, entertainment, and family fun. Durability is the very first thing that comes to mind for tables in an outdoor space.
Many commercially available concrete tables feature concrete that is triple-reinforced and solid with no hollow spots. You can install these types of concrete top tables on any existing solid surface or even on a flat patch of grass. These tables are designed to last up to 100 years.
They can be shipped all over the world and they can be easy to assemble in a couple of hours. You can also dismantle the tables and move them around (with the help of a few friends!). There are also vandal-resistant fasteners that come with the tables, which could be useful if your table will be exposed to the public.
You might have seen these types of tables at resorts, hotels, condos, parks, or schools. They feature regulation lines and offer low reflectivity for playing in sunny conditions. The colors that are available are dark green and gray or a custom order of blue or black. These permanent concrete ping pong tables are built to last with stainless steel legs and a steel net.
Other Types of Ping Pong Tables
If you don’t want to make or purchase your own concrete ping pong table, the next option that naturally comes to mind is to explore the types of ping pong tables that are commercially available. From a manufacturing point of view, no tables are made the same and so they all tend to differ quite markedly in price.
As is the case with so many other products, some manufacturers build with a budget in mind while others go all out to produce premium, state-of-the-art table tennis tables. While indoor tables are good for places like game rooms, homes, or offices, outdoor tables are for areas like backyards or patios, where the table is exposed to all types of weather conditions.
Concrete tables are naturally resistant to the elements, but there are a few other options to consider as well. Concrete tables are notoriously heavy. This might not be a problem if you are building a table that will never be moved, but you may need to consider portability as well. Also, because of their constant exposure to the sun and other elements, all outdoor tables (not just concrete ones) are usually made with durability in mind.
For example, all of these tables usually have a special coating on the surface to protect the table from the exposure that comes with constant outdoor use. Here are a few of the types of outdoor tables you might want to purchase in lieu of a concrete table. It would interest you to know that many of these tables meet the standards and table tennis table dimensions laid out by the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation).
Outdoor Table Tennis Tables
- Stiga XTR: this durable outdoor table tennis table is specifically designed and manufactured to withstand all the elements with stainless steel legs.
- Kettler Eden: this 9-feet long table tennis table has a weatherproof melamine top that can stand any climate and offer a great ball bounce.
- Joola NOVA DX: this table has a weather-resistant 6-millimeter aluminum-plastic composite surface.
You’ll find that all of these tables are readily available online through websites like Amazon, but many of them can also be purchased through Walmart or other large retailers. This can be quite an important consideration if you would like to actually touch the table and get a feel for how large and heavy it is.
If you don’t really like any of the particular models we mentioned, there are other types to choose from too. It is a good idea to research which table gets the top reviews in terms of what you are looking for, and then you can place an order for that model. Many tables come with a year warranty or more, so you can enjoy peace of mind with your purchase, even when it is an outdoor table.
More About Concrete Ping Pong Tables
In general, concrete ping pong tables made for the public can weigh over 1000 pounds. They are made with specially treated concrete, and professional installation requires special tools. The completely concrete aesthetic can look very industrial at times and it is common in Europe to see these types of tables in public environments like schools, resorts, parks and recreation departments, universities, government institutions, and many more places.
In the USA, it has not really been common for individuals to buy these types of tables for their personal use. However, the manufacturers that we mentioned above are more than happy to work with you if you would like to put one of these very versatile tables on your own property.
How Much Should You Spend On A Ping Pong Table?
Now that you know more about the types of tables available, you can decide whether it is better to build your own concrete table, purchase an outdoor concrete table, or look at another type of table that can be used outdoors. We’ll consider all of these options in the kind of pricing you might be looking at.
Outdoor tables are usually more expensive than indoor tables, although the difference in price mostly depends on the quality, as well as the brand and the retailer you are purchasing the table from. Outdoor tables need to be protected from warping, and so it is not surprising that they would cost a little more than indoor ones.
The average price range of a ping pong table will be along the lines of $400 to $700 for outdoor tables, and more than $1,000 for the more luxurious ones. Concrete tables can generally be made for about the same amount of money or less, but if you are looking for a high-end concrete table designed for public use, it can sometimes cost upwards of $7000!
Since there is no set price for a ping pong table, how much you should spend depends on your budget, your taste, and what function you want your table to have in your home. Alternatively, the cost for a concrete ping pong table goes down considerably if you decide to take on the job as a DIY project.
Concrete Ping Pong Table Maintenance
Like pretty much everything you own, it is always a good idea to try and keep your concrete ping pong table as clean as possible. This is for general maintenance, but it can also help improve the performance of the table. Tables that are covered in pet hair or dust are less attractive to play on, and if there is enough debris, it might even affect the bounce of the ping pong ball even more.
So if you do have a ping pong table in your house or garage, or even more so if it is an outdoor table, do some regular maintenance on it. This can be as simple as using a broom with loose bristles to sweep the surface periodically. A good maintenance routine will improve the longevity of your concrete ping pong table and keep you playing on it for many years.
Cleaning your concrete ping pong table really should not take you very much time at all. It can be very exciting to get the best concrete ping pong table you can find. It can add a lot of fun to your gatherings with friends and family and it is also a good way to bond with a group of kids.
