The pool table cabinet normally falls into one of five categories; laminate, wood veneer, wood on wood, solid hardwood, and metal on wood.
Laminate cabinets have either a paper or plastic wood grain glued on the exposed surface, normally found on inexpensive non-slate pool tables.
Wood veneer cabinets have either MDF or solid wood with a thin piece of hardwood glued to the exposed surface and is normally found on inexpensive to moderate priced pool tables.
Wood on wood cabinets have a quality hardwood glued on top of another type of wood and is usually found on moderate to good quality pool tables.
Solid hardwood cabinets are made entirely of quality hardwood, such as oak, tulipwood or mahogany and these are found on top quality pool tables.
Metal on wood cabinets have sheets of metal, such as aluminum, attached to a wooden frame and these are found on commercial pool tables.