Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Too Cold! Large Area of Tiles at Taipei Main Sta”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
A strong continental cold air mass has moved south, turning all of Taiwan into a frozen sweet potato. The floor tiles at Taipei Main Station were the first to succumb. At the B1 High-Speed Rail West Exit, after descending the escalator from the South 3 Gate, a large area of tiles has bulged and cracked.
Experts suspect that when the tiles were originally laid at Taipei Main Station, a method of applying a large area of cement and then placing the tiles was used. This allowed air to become trapped. Combined with the extremely cold weather, thermal expansion and contraction caused the problem.
The large area of bulging tiles looks as if an invisible hand is squeezing them forcefully. The gaps between the floor and tiles are so wide that a 10 NT dollar coin can be stood upright in them. At the highest point, the entire tile has been pushed up, visually estimated to be at least 10 centimeters high!
A member of the public said: "My guess is it's thermal expansion and contraction. Although the temperature is lower today (the 6th), it feels much colder than yesterday (the 7th)."
Another person commented: "This seems a bit dangerous, especially in such a busy area. It's cold when it rains outside, but not so cold that this should happen."
It's really too cold! The floor tiles at Taipei Main Station have cracked over a large area, with the bulge height visually estimated at 10 centimeters.
The gaps between the floor and tiles are so wide that a 10 NT dollar coin can be stood upright in them (Photo: FTV News).
Yesterday, only the large area near the underground street was cracked. Unexpectedly, on Tuesday, as soon as the strong continental cold air mass arrived, it seemed contagious, and several more tiles burst. Taiwan Railway personnel quickly deployed, setting up cordons to keep the public away.
Another tile industry source said: "Taipei Main Station is a large area. When they laid the tiles, they probably just spread cement evenly and placed the tiles one by one. They didn't apply a bonding agent to the back of the tiles. Over time, some areas didn't get enough adhesion, making them more prone to bulging."
Experts say that modern tiling methods are more refined. In the past, only cement was used as an adhesive, leaving gaps for air to enter. Over time, with earthquakes or thermal expansion and contraction, cracking can occur.
It's really too cold! The floor tiles at Taipei Main Station have cracked over a large area, with the bulge height visually estimated at 10 centimeters.
At the highest point, the entire tile has been pushed up, visually estimated to be at least 10 centimeters high (Photo: FTV News).
Lai Xinguo, a forecaster at the Central Weather Administration, said: "The low temperature in Taipei is currently around 12 to 13 degrees Celsius. At night, temperatures will continue to drop. Until Saturday, the 10th, temperatures across the region will remain relatively low."
The location of the tile cracking is right in front of the High-Speed Rail West Exit, just after descending the escalator from the South 3 Gate. With heavy foot traffic, many passengers are looking down at their phones while walking, and could easily trip. As temperatures are expected to drop further, pedestrians need to be especially careful.
Source: Read the original article | Published: January 07, 2026