Table Tennis, or Ping-Pong if you prefer, originated in England near the close of the 19th century when Victorian upper-crust types decided they wanted to play their beloved lawn tennis indoors. Unexpected ingenuity in the process of designing their table tennis table included a row of books standing in a line across the dining table serving as the net, empty cigar boxes used for rackets, and a champagne cork or ball of twine functioning as the ball.
Today, the common table tennis rig is much more advanced but just as simple and straightforward in its design and function. Of course, you'll find many improvements such as wheels for mobility and stronger materials used in their manufacture for outdoor use. However, one thing is still very certain and that is these tables are just as much fun as the ones first developed in the 1800's.
Table Types
Indoor Tables
Indoor table tennis tables are made of some type of wood, usually Masonite, which is a strongfabricated wood similar to particleboard (a material you'll also find in many table tennis tops). To prevent warping, you're looking for the table surface to be at least 3/4” thick with thicker surfaces up to 1” which last longer and provide even better bounce on your ball. However, the real quality of your table isn't found in the wood or the thickness alone as there are a variety of resins, finishes, and material densities that help provide the real long-lasting resilience of a strong, sturdy table top.
Outdoor Tables
Outdoor tables are manufactured to withstand the elements. The tables are still made of wood or composite materials, but they also utilize an aluminum or plastic component to keep the surface from warping under the hot sun or persistently wet conditions. These tables often have weather-proofing laminate finishes and additional elements which are coated to prevent rust (such as the chassis beneath the table).
You can obviously use these tables indoors but you're going to pay extra for the protective materials that make them suitable for use outdoors, so decide on where your new table will be used before you buy. If you plan on moving it from indoors to outdoors, then it makes perfect sense for you to invest the extra money.
Table Components
Frame
The frame is the chassis the table-top rests upon, including the under-carriage and the legs. Obviously, this needs to be sturdy and stable, but thicker legs don't necessarily give you both. Take a look at a few models and investigate the thickness of the legs and, more importantly, the material they're made from.
You're also looking for galvanized or resin-coated steel, and outdoor tables should have some kind of powder or weather-proof coating to keep them from rusting. A good leg thickness is usually somewhere between 1 3/4” to 3 1/2”, and also check out how many contact points there are between the frame and the table-top. The more which are present, the more stability you're going to get.
Mobility
You have a choice between a stationary table and one which can be moved from room to room. If you’ll need to maneuver the table around the house, or from inside to outside, you're going to want casters or wheels on the table frame.
Rolling one of these tables around can be a challenge depending upon its weight so a set of larger wheels will afford you more convenience than a smaller set will. You also want to make sure the casters lock so the table stays in one place while you're playing and it doesn't roll away. However, if you only have one place to put this table in your home then you don't need the casters which will reduce the price of your table.
Folding
Many tables fold up to allow for space-saving storage. If you don't plan on keeping the table in one place or wish to put it away after you're done playing with it, then you'll want a table that can fold up. This feature usually affords you a “practice” mode of game-play in which one player can use the table by themselves, hitting the ball against the vertical side of the table.
When purchasing a table that folds up, make sure there’s no gap between the two sides when the table is in practice mode. Another thing to look for is the way the net maneuvers when the table folds. Is the net removable or does it stay on the table when it's folded? Be sure to check, because net brackets can become damaged with sub-standard tables or simply user error.
Some Assembly Required
You'll find tables which require no assembly, partial assembly, or total assembly when you get it home. Some retailers offer assembly services, but only you know how mechanically inclined (and patient) you are when it comes to these things. Improper or incomplete assembly may result in damage to the table and injury to you or other players. Choose wisely, if you don't want to put any time into building your new table; instead, find one that’s ready to go straight out of the box.