FAQ
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Who is Citadel?
Citadel is a reputable brand that utilizes a solution-driven business model to create innovative, sustainable building materials and systems that add value to customers’ lives.
What is Citadel composite?
Citadel Composite is a co-extruded decking line featuring a specially engineered lightweight core made from PVC and bamboo, encapsulated in a durable acrylic polymer shell. With its advanced design, NaturaCedar delivers superior performance and a more realistic wood-like finish than ever before.
Where is Citadel composite manufactured?
Citadel Composite was scientifically developed through extensive testing under extreme weather conditions in China. It is now manufactured and distributed throughout the world. We are setting a new standard for sustainable manufacturing, demonstrating that high-quality products can be created in harmony with the environment.
What are the advantages of Citadel composite compared to traditional timber?
Citadel Composite outperforms traditional timber in every way. Unlike wood decking, it requires no staining, sanding, or sealing, making it a far lower-maintenance option. Built-in safety and durability features include industry-leading resistance to slips, stains, splinters, and cracks—along with protection against fading, mold, mildew, moisture, and even microbial growth.
Beyond performance, Citadel Composite is also a more sustainable choice. Made from renewable materials and manufactured using solar power, it eliminates the need for tree harvesting or chemical treatments, making it an eco-conscious alternative to wood.
With superior longevity, safety, and environmental benefits, Citadel Composite offers a smarter solution for outdoor spaces. And with a wide variety of colours and textures available, you can achieve the natural beauty of timber without the maintenance or environmental impact.
Is Citadel composite more expensive than wood?
Citadel composite is a long-term investment. Over time it proves its value and works out to be more cost-effective than wood decking.
While the initial purchase price of Citadel composite may be higher than standard timber decking, like pine, Citadel composite installs faster, does not require additional treatments or specialized cleaning products, lasts longer, and is stain, fade, rot, warp, crack, splinter, and moisture resistant, meaning you can avoid the costs of premature replacement. Its industry-leading warranty stands testament to the long-term durability of Citadel composite – and its long-term savings.
How does the warranty work?
All Citadel products are backed by long-term warranties to give you peace of mind—offering the same reliability as they do sustainability.
Warranty terms may vary depending on the product line. Please visit our Warranty Page to view and download the specific details for each product.
Proper installation and usage are essential to ensure full warranty coverage. We strongly recommend reviewing the relevant installation and care guidelines before using any Citadel product. If you have any questions about warranties, installation, or product use, our team is here to help.
Can Citadel products be sanded?
Avoid sanding any Citadel capped composite product, such as Natura Cedar decking. Sanding may jeopardize the integrity of the material and void any ensuing warranty claims.
Does Citadel composite expand and contract?
All composite, including Citadel composite, expands and contracts. Allow for this expansion and contraction before installing any Citadel composite in order to adhere to warranty parameters. Each Citadel product line has its own installation guide which gives the exact rate of expansion of the material in question, and provides an optimal gap size to leave between boards for a long-lasting deck.
Does Citadel composite get hot?
All Citadel Composite products may warm up under direct sunlight, as is common with most outdoor materials. However, Citadel Composite absorbs up to 30% less heat than traditional WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) decking, making it a more comfortable choice for hot, sunny environments.
Lighter colours tend to retain less heat than darker shades, which is worth considering if your space receives prolonged sun exposure. Choosing a lighter tone can enhance comfort and usability, especially for barefoot traffic.
Does Citadel composite require cleaning?
Citadel composite is low-maintenance and designed for long-term usage with minimal upkeep. In fact, only a hard bristle broom or mop is required for most cleaning situations. Stubborn stains may be addressed through the careful use of a high-pressure hose. However, no other cleaning products or methods are required.
Does Citadel composite require special tools for installation?
Regular saws, drills, and tools used for installing timber decking can be used to cut and fix Citadel composite; no special machinery is needed. Please refer to the installation guide of the specific Citadel composite product you are using before beginning your project for a complete list of applicable and necessary tools.
What is the lifetime value of Citadel composite?
The lifetime value of Citadel composite entails the money it costs (and saves), the lifestyle freedom it provides, and the natural resources it preserves.
Citadel composite is a long-term investment. Over time it proves its value and works out to be more cost-effective than wood decking, while also providing value in terms of lifestyle, health, and sustainability.
Citadel composite pays for itself as it installs faster than wood decking, does not require additional treatments or specialized cleaning products, lasts longer, and is stain, fade, rot, warp, crack, splinter, and moisture resistant, meaning you can avoid the costs of premature replacement. Its industry-leading warranty stands as testament to the long-term durability of Citadel composite, and its long-term savings.
Additionally, Citadel composite adds value to your lifestyle by freeing up your spare time to enjoy life, instead of maintaining your decking. It also serves as a stake in your commitment to the future; a sustainable product that can do the job of wood better than wood, itself.
Why is Citadel composite not a structural material?
Citadel composite is specially engineered to function as decking, cladding, screening, architectural beams, or railing, rather than structural material. That’s because we’re focused on doing things thoroughly, and so we’ve dedicated ourselves to continuing to improve composite for its specific purpose, rather than for substructure. We do, however, design our composite decking to work with the structural material of your choice.
What colors are available for Citadel composite?
Citadel Composite is available in a beautifully curated palette inspired by the natural world. The five colour options—Driftwood Cedar, Walnut Cedar, Charcoal Cedar, Silver Cedar, and Golden Cedar—capture the timeless tones most commonly found in nature.
Whether you’re drawn to the weathered elegance of Driftwood Cedar, the rich depth of Walnut Cedar, the bold modernity of Charcoal Cedar, the soft sophistication of Silver Cedar, or the warm glow of Golden Cedar, each shade is designed to bring an organic, wood-like feel to your outdoor space.
These colours aren’t just visually appealing—they’re chosen to complement a wide range of landscaping styles and architectural finishes. With Citadel Composite, you can enjoy the authentic look of natural wood without the upkeep, all while staying true to the tones that nature has perfected.
Does Citadel composite decking require gaps to let water and organic matter through?
Yes, all Citadel decks will have gaps between deck boards. The decking clips used to install grooved boards will act as spacers to help streamline installation. These gaps allow dirt and debris to fall between the deck boards and prevent any build-up of debris that could cause issues down the line.
How heavy is Citadel composite?
Linear foot of Citadel decking weighs approximately 1 pound.
