When the budget's is tight and costs are rising, it’s tempting to grab the cheapest castors on the market. They look the same, and they ‘work’ the same so what's the problem?


You find out the hard way when winter hits your business.


That’s when the difference between a cheap castor and a quality one becomes crystal clear. Saving a few pounds now doesn't mean much when you're replacing them all again in January, resulting in a way higher spend. Freezing temperatures, wet floors, and uneven surfaces push castors the limit. A poorly-made castor will end up costing you loads in repair and downtime as opposed to spending a bit extra for that quality factor.


Why do Castors, especially budget ones, deteriorate in the cold?


Simple: they're made of cheap material and not designed for adverse conditions. Low-cost castors often use basic plastic, thin steel, or low-quality rubber. These might roll fine on a normal summer’s day, but they can give up very fast when the conditions turn, even slightly.





  • Brittle materials: Rubber and plastic get hard and can go brittle, this leads to cracks or chips in the material.
  • Weak components: Thin metal brackets rust quickly, corrode, or even bend from pressure.
  • Frozen grease: The grease inside cheap bearings can thicken or freeze solid, seizing the wheel completely ending in you replacing them (again).

The final result? Jammed wheels, terrible rolling, or a wheel that gives up at the worst possible time – causing delay you would never have had to worry about.


The cold also highlights load capacity. Many cheap castors aren't designed or built to carry heavy loads over ground that isn’t in a perfect test environment. This leads to cracked housings and flat spots on the wheels – problems that you will not see until it’s pretty much too late.


For instance, the rubber castors available with us at Castors Online, are built to absorb shocks and resist hardening. They keep performing even in cold adverse conditions, which is vital for warehouses and loading bays in the winter season.


The Real Cost of a Broken Wheel


It's easy to think "It’s just one wheel” but how much does it really cost you long term when one fails?


When a trolley or moving rack stops, it puts everything to a stop. You’ll need to transfer them to another one… or worse. Wait until a new one comes – this can be a nightmare if working in a busy environment, logistically and money wise. In almost any workplace, that means shipments can be delayed, staff get fed up, or damaged inventory. The cost of repeatedly replacing cheap castors quickly adds up to more than just buying high-quality castors in the first place.


Our quality castors are built for all conditions and loads. The industrial heavy-duty castors we offer, for example, use reinforced material and improved bearings to help keep the job moving, even with heavy loads in the cold.


Winter Headaches: Rust, Grease, and Safety


Winter means damp floors, icy surfaces, and rapid temperature changes.



  • Rust: Moisture gets into poorly treated metal parts, causing bearings to rust and seize. In that case, stainless steel castors would be perfect.
  • Grease: As mentioned, cheap grease is a common failure point. High-quality options can help keep moisture out and lubricant in, so they roll smoothly without constant maintenance and downtime.

A failed castor isn't just a hassle; it could be a serious safety failure. When wheels jam or collapse, equipment can tip over unexpectedly. That could easily result in a loss of inventory or worse, staff being injured. This is especially apparent in the winter when floors can be slippery. Investing in good brake castors gives you much more control over the transport.


Buy Right, Buy Once


It might feel like you're spending more upfront, but quality castors have a much longer life, better efficiency and less maintenance long term. It’s an investment worth making, preventing costly mistakes in the future just to save a few pounds.


By choosing castors designed to cater to your needs, you'll spend way less time and money on preventable situations. For businesses in cold storage or with outdoor yards, puncture-proof castors can be very helpful, and rubber-tyred swivel castors are great for easing out the product moving process when going over bumps on frozen ground.


Time for a Winter Check-Up?


Before it gets any colder, it’s worth checking your existing equipment. Look for flat spots on the wheels, stiffness in the swivel, or any rust. Those are all early warning signs that could save you money if spotted early.


If you need replacements, don’t go for the cheap option; invest in some high-quality castors and enjoy a safer, more efficient workplace. At Castors Online, we stock a wide range of winter-ready solutions, from industrial-grade castors to stainless steel variants for all settings. Each one is built for reliability and quality.