ᐅ Kallax and Moving in Winter – Will the Coating Freeze?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to move my Kallax shelf unit during the winter and have a specific question that I haven’t been able to find a clear answer to anywhere: Does the Kallax coating freeze at very low temperatures during transport or when exposed briefly to the cold?

Specifically, I am interested in whether frost damage or extreme cold can cause small cracks in the coating or even permanent surface damage, for example, if the shelf is moved through an unheated stairwell or car. The Kallax coating is a type of laminate or paint, and I’m unsure how sensitive it is to such conditions.

Perhaps you have experience with this or can provide some technical insight? Thanks for any advice!

No, the coating does not freeze off. Kallax is durable and can withstand short-term cold well without any damage to the surface.

Kallax shelves are made from coated wood-based panels, usually particleboard with a melamine resin-coated surface. These coatings are thermally quite stable and resistant to cold. Short-term exposure to freezing temperatures does not cause cracking or peeling of the laminate.

However, increased caution is necessary if the shelf is heavily saturated with moisture and then freezes – in such cases, the material can swell or be damaged. The coating itself does not technically undergo "freezing off."

nolan schrieb:
No, the coating does not freeze off.

That sounds very reassuring at first! 🙂 I have also carried my Kallax in severe winter weather – it was freezing, but I didn’t notice any damage. Still, I would recommend protecting the corners and edges well to prevent microcracks from occurring if it falls over in freezing temperatures. A little caution never hurts, in my opinion :-)

I would like to add that during my winter move, I noticed that what really matters is how long the shelf is exposed to the cold. A few minutes in a cold car or hallway won’t cause any damage. However, if you leave it outside for hours, you will notice the effects: the edges show it, becoming brittle much faster.

I was also worried that something might break at the time, but by wrapping it in a warm blanket, I was able to prevent that. In situations like this, it’s easy to feel helpless, so sharing experiences can help others avoid similar problems.

From a technical perspective, melamine-coated particle boards like those used in Kallax are not problematic for short-term exposure to cold. The coating is made of synthetic resins that remain stable down to around -30°C (−22°F). Damage during freezing conditions mainly occurs due to moisture penetrating the wood, which causes the material to swell when it freezes.

For moving in winter, it is therefore advisable to protect the furniture from moisture and avoid contact with ice or snow. Cold alone, without moisture, does not cause the coating to “freeze off” or peel.