Current Lead Times in the UK
The lead time for timber sash windows in the UK varies dramatically depending on where you buy. In 2026, you can wait anywhere from 4 weeks to 16 weeks or more. The difference comes down to one factor: where the windows are made.
| Manufacturer Type | Lead Time | Production Location |
|---|---|---|
| UK workshop (direct) | 4–6 weeks | Manufactured in Britain |
| UK workshop (via distributor) | 6–8 weeks | UK made, extra sales layer |
| Eastern European import | 8–12 weeks | Poland, Lithuania, Latvia |
| Chinese/Vietnamese import | 12–16 weeks | Far East + ocean freight |
| Large national brands | 8–12 weeks | Mixed — some UK, some imported |
Why Import Lead Times Are So Long
Imported timber windows follow a long supply chain: your order is placed with a UK-based sales company, who forwards it to an overseas factory. The factory batches orders (they will not start production for one or two windows), manufactures them, then ships by road or sea freight. Customs clearance, port handling, and final delivery add further time. If anything is wrong with the order — a colour mismatch, incorrect dimensions, transport damage — the cycle repeats.
This model was built to minimise cost, not time. The savings on labour are real, but they come at the expense of speed, flexibility, and quality control. You cannot visit the factory, you cannot inspect work in progress, and you cannot get a problem fixed in days.
Why UK Production Is Faster
A UK workshop operates on a fundamentally different model. Your order enters production directly. There is no batching, no shipping, no customs. The workshop holds stock timber in standard profiles, so production begins immediately. Quality control happens continuously — not after a six-week sea voyage. And if something needs adjusting, it happens in the same workshop, in days.
Our standard lead time is 4–5 weeks from order confirmation to dispatch. This includes timber preparation, machining, assembly, glazing, a full Sikkens paint system (primer, undercoat, topcoat with drying time between coats), and quality inspection. We do not cut corners to achieve this speed — we simply do not have a 6-week shipping delay in the middle of our process.
What Affects Lead Time?
Order Size
A single window and a 20-window order take roughly the same lead time (4–5 weeks) because our workshop processes multiple orders in parallel. Very large orders (50+ windows) may require scheduling across production runs and could take 6–8 weeks.
Bespoke Designs
Arched heads, gothic tops, shaped frames, and other non-standard designs require additional setting-up time on CNC machines and custom jigs. These typically add 1–2 weeks to the standard lead time.
Season
Spring and early autumn are peak periods for window orders. Lead times may extend by 1–2 weeks during March–May and September–October. Ordering in winter or mid-summer often means faster delivery.
How to Lock In Your Delivery Date
We confirm an estimated delivery date at the point of order. Once your deposit is received and your order enters production, your delivery date is fixed. We do not bump orders, resequence queues, or prioritise large clients over small ones. First confirmed, first produced.
🇬🇧 Made in UK · 4–5 Week Delivery
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