With rising expectations for quality, homogeneous vinyl flooring is now favored in hospitals, schools, malls, and factories for its wear resistance, antibacterial properties, and overall performance.

However, many users notice that as October the month with the most significant temperature fluctuations and lower ambient temperatures arrives, the flooring underfoot seems to become “cold and stiff”: not only does it feel chilly to the touch, but its texture also hardens noticeably, with elasticity greatly reduced.

Is this a problem with the flooring or just a normal physical change? As makers, what can we do during production to improve the floor’s resistance to cold? This article gives a simple, clear answer to these questions.

Part 1:  Why Does Homogeneous Vinyl Flooring Become Stiff in Winter?

First and foremost, it is essential to establish a key understanding: the winter stiffness of homogeneous vinyl flooring is an inherent physical property of the material, not a product defect.

The Nature of “Thermoplasticity”: Temperature as the Switch

PVC is a type of plastic that gets harder or softer depending on temperature. This quality is called “thermoplasticity.”

In summer or warm conditions, the tiny parts of PVC—called molecules—move around more easily. They have more space to shift, which makes the flooring feel soft and springy.

In winter or cold conditions, the molecules in PVC move more slowly. They stay in place, making the flooring harder, less bendable, and less flexible.

Winter stiffness is a common characteristic of all PVC flooring, and indeed most polymer materials. Our goal is not to defy the laws of physics, but to leverage advanced production techniques to maximize the flooring’s performance in low-temperature environments while minimizing its perceived stiffness.

Part 2: Our Formula for Flexible PVC, Even in the Cold

A responsible and technologically advanced manufacturer focuses on the following four core aspects to ensure excellent low-temperature performance from the source.

1. Optimizing Formulation: The Key in the Plasticizer System-DOTP

The choice of plasticizer is the most critical factor in determining the low-temperature performance of flooring.

Avoid Low-Cost Solutions: Traditional plasticizers, such as DOP, are inexpensive and effective. However, their small size can cause migration and evaporation. At low temperatures, they may lose compatibility, making the flooring stiffer and more brittle and reducing its durability.

We recommend DOTP (dioctyl terephthalate) as the main plasticizer for premium vinyl flooring. Its linear structure ensures excellent mixing with PVC and gives better cold flexibility, migration resistance, and insulation than DOP. DOTP acts as a “lubricant” for the PVC chains, keeping them flexible at low temperatures. A DOTP-based formula, combined with added polymeric plasticizers, creates durable, cold-resistant floors.

2. Foundation Optimization: Selecting the Right Resin and Fillers

PVC Resin:Opt for high-polymerization-degree PVC resin. Higher polymerization degrees result in longer molecular chains, which generally improve the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and low-temperature resistance of the final product. This provides a sturdier “skeleton,” enhancing the flooring’s ability to buffer against temperature changes.

Fillers (Calcium Carbonate):The primary role of fillers is to reduce costs, but excessive or low-quality fillers can severely compromise flexibility.

Controlled Addition:High-end flooring strictly limits calcium carbonate content, prioritizing performance over cost savings.

Enhanced Quality:Use ultra-fine, surface-activated nano calcium carbonate. This type of filler integrates better with the PVC/plasticizer system, minimizing obstruction to molecular chain movement and reducing damage to low-temperature flexibility.

1. The Essence of Craftsmanship: Homogeneous Plasticization and Precision Calendering

Even the best formulation requires precise craftsmanship to realize its potential. Uniformity of plasticization is a key parameter that affects the final performance of PVC products.

Efficient Homogeneous Plasticization:Utilizing advanced internal mixers and twin-screw extruders under precisely controlled temperature and shear forces ensures complete melting and highly uniform mixing of all components—PVC resin, plasticizers, stabilizers, and fillers. Inconsistent plasticization can create internal stress weak points, which are the first to crack under low-temperature conditions.

Precision Calendering for Final Shaping:The calendering process determines the density and thickness uniformity of the flooring. Precisely controlling the temperature, speed ratio, and gap of the calender rolls produces a perfectly formed sheet with a dense structure and minimal internal stress. A uniform structure allows stress to distribute evenly during low-temperature bending, preventing localized stress concentration and brittle failure.

4. The Golden Rule of Quality: Rigorous Low-Temperature Testing

A trustworthy manufacturer must subject its products to mandatory low-temperature bend testing as a final “exam” before leaving the factory.

Testing Standards: Following international standards (e.g., EN ISO 10582, EN 435) or even stricter internal corporate standards, flooring samples are conditioned at extremely low temperatures (e.g., -25°C or lower) for several hours, then immediately subjected to a 180-degree bend.

Result Assessment: The sample surface is inspected for cracks. Products that pass more stringent low-temperature tests demonstrate greater reliability in real-world winter conditions.

As a manufacturer, our mission extends beyond producing flooring. Through continuous technological innovation, we strive to push the physical limits of materials further, ensuring comfort and durability seamlessly transition through every season, warming every step our users take.