Short answer: no—not if you spec the right materials. The cold itself is rarely what destroys an urban bench. The real killer is water: it gets into pores, seams, or tube sections, freezes, expands, and cracks the material from the inside. That said, some materials do become more brittle at subzero temperatures, so material choice and drainage details matter.
If you want a bench that will sit outside through a subzero winter without cracking, here's how I'd break it down.
Wood can crack, but it depends on the wood and moisture level. Solid hardwood like oak or ash that has absorbed water will split when that water freezes. Thermally modified wood, ipe, or properly sealed hardwood performs far better. Even then, end grain should be sealed, and boards need expansion gaps.
Metal frames rarely crack from cold alone. Structural steel and aluminum are fine in subzero conditions. Cast iron is more brittle and can crack if water trapped inside a casting freezes, but standard street furniture is rarely cast iron now. Avoid sealed steel tubes that can collect water; if you use tube, add a small drain hole at the lowest point. Galvanized or powder-coated steel is your best metal choice.
Plastic and HDPE are the safest in cold climates. High-density polyethylene lumber—the recycled plastic often used for park benches—gets slightly stiffer in extreme cold but does not absorb water, so it won't crack from freeze-thaw cycles. Look for UV-stabilized HDPE with stainless steel fasteners.
Concrete is the one to be careful with. Non-air-entrained concrete absorbs water and can spall or crack after repeated freeze-thaw cycles. If a bench has concrete legs or bases, specify air-entrained, low-absorption concrete or use precast elements designed for freeze-thaw exposure.
The details matter as much as the material. Use stainless steel hardware, allow thermal movement between boards and frame, avoid horizontal crevices that hold water, and make sure every tube or profile drains. A well-designed bench in a cold city is less about finding one magic material and more about keeping water out and letting the assembly move.
For a low-maintenance urban bench that can handle subzero winters, my standard recommendation is a galvanized steel frame with HDPE slats, stainless fasteners, and drainage holes in the frame. If you want a warmer look, thermally modified hardwood slats on the same frame will work—just expect a little more maintenance.
That combination is used in cold-climate cities because it survives freeze-thaw cycles without cracking, warping, or corroding badly.