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Ceiling Too High For A Drop Down Light

4/5/2007 8:11:20 PM

Ceiling Too High For A Drop Down Light

The ceiling above my table is about 30 feet high. Does anyone have any ideas on how to light my table?

Ceiling Too High For A Drop Down Light

Replies & Comments
  1. El Cubanobilliardsforum on 4/5/2007 9:12:34 PM

    Hello, welcome to the Home Billiard Room Forums!

    Can you give us some info about what type of ceiling you have? Is it in a house, a warehouse? Would it look weird if a light was hanging from a 20 foot set of chains (this would look normal in a warehouse, not so much in a home billiard room.

    The other alternative is that you could adequately light the entire room with traditional lighting and hope that's enough. (This would be pretty bright) If it is in your house, you may have to sacrifice style and beauty for lighting functionality.

    And just seeing the pictures you updated. That is an amazing pool room. I love the openness. I've actually checked with a few of my contacts at lighting suppliers, and I'm just waiting on the reply.

  2. El CubanoEl Cubano on 4/5/2007 10:07:32 PM

    The pool table is in my living room which has an open ceiling up to the second story.

    My family and I are really enjoying it, and the dimensions of the room are almost perfect. I only need to use a 48" cue at the head of the table if the cue ball is up close to the rail. I appreciate you checking with your contacts about the lighting. Also I am having the felt changed to what the manufacturer calls Navy Blue. I think it will brighten the table play a bit. When they set the table up they did not cover up the holes along the rail where the slate is screwed onto the table so they need to re-felt it anyways.

    I was thinking about putting a tall lamp in the corner opposite of the cue rack.

    • Should the lamp shade be facing upwards or downwards?
    • What wattage bulb should I use?
    • Will this cast shadows on the table?

    Also, just wanted to know if you have heard anything from your contacts in the lighting industry on the best way to light my playing area?

  3. El Cubanobilliardsforum on 4/10/2007 9:04:41 AM

    Okay, one response, from a large chain of pro shops...

    Hello, The down side to such a high ceiling is the chains of the pool table light will be so long that it won't take much to cause movement to the light. If you had rods made instead of the chains it may reduce movement but probably won't prevent it.

    I wonder if there is some sort of light (flexible or adjustable) you could install on the wall and have it pointed at the table? Depending what you find or what is available you may need a few of them. The lights would probably have to be installed high enough that that when playing the light would be coming down over the players. And of course it depends how it will look in the room.

    I'll make a few phone calls this week and see if any other suppliers or manufacturers have any ideas. Denis

    I had thought about a lamp on an arm that you could have mounted on the wall. When you are playing, you could swing it out, and when the table is not in use, you can swing it back. I'll post more as I receive replies.

  4. El CubanoEl Cubano on 4/10/2007 5:11:14 PM

    Thanks @billiardsforum for the ideas. The light on the wall that swings out sounds Good but It will have to be higher than the players, so that they do not have to duck every time they go by that side of the table. I will probably try to find a lamp that I can put in that corner and see how that works.

  5. El CubanoSuprcontraTX on 6/17/2007 4:12:09 PM

    I saw a light system at Ikea that hangs above the area you would like to illuminate per suspended halogen. It may not be what you are looking for but it may be an option. I have been to specialty stores in my hometown that offers such system at long applications.

    These systems are popular at bars.

    Here is the link if you are interested.

    ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20095262

  6. El CubanoJohninTennessee on 11/28/2007 4:36:37 PM

    What about 3 aimed pot flood lights?

  7. El Cubanothedoorsguy on 12/7/2007 3:04:43 AM

    My architect friend has the Ikea cable suspension system suggested in reply #12 by: SuprcontraTX. You could run it from just above the pictures on the wall at the foot end of your table to just above the archway entrance of the dining room. One caveat though - replace the spotlights that come with the unit by using floodlights (two, at least, maybe three) instead for better coverage of the table's playing surface. Maybe use the spots to illuminate the wall hangings and/or the doorways..

  8. El CubanoDLCBreaks on 12/8/2007 12:10:50 AM

    The lighting on a pool table is very important, and it should be between 40" and 48" above the center of the table. It should also be about 36" to 48" long, consisting of three 100 watt cool white bulbs enclosed in a diffused box OR a set of two cool white flourescent tubes 36" to 48" long. The appearance can be improved by using a smooth, white electrical cord coming straight down from the ceiling. An electrician can install the necessary box in the ceiling. Judging by the look of your room, a large white glass globe containing a 250 watt buld would also work well and blend in nicely with the architecture. The three spots shining toward the table from the walls will create three different shadows on the table and you would not like that. Nor would a swinging wall mounted lamp work very well.

  9. El Cubanobilly on 6/5/2008 8:09:10 AM

    I know this is off topic, and the topic is old, but I'm wonder how you find playing on the black pool table cloth? Is it tough on the eyes? What about after longer periods? Does it get dusty and full of chalk? I like the look of it, but have heard so many negative things about it.

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Ceiling Too High For A Drop Down Light

  • Title: Ceiling Too High For A Drop Down Light
  • Author:
  • Published: 4/5/2007 8:11:20 PM