Stock doors usually ship within a week. Custom doors take 4-16 weeks. Stock windows from suppliers typically take 2-6 weeks. Custom windows take 4-16 weeks. Many stock doors are slabs in inventory that get assembled with jambs, trim, and handing within a few days. Order early and confirm lead times before scheduling your project.
Nothing slows a job down like waiting on materials. Custom doors and windows are often the holdup. They take longer to arrive than most people expect. If you order late, you wait. If you wait, everything else stops.
Knowing lead times upfront helps you plan. You can schedule around delivery instead of scrambling when materials do not show up. You can also choose stock options when custom is not worth the wait.
This matters whether you are a contractor managing multiple jobs or a homeowner planning a remodel. Stock products move faster. Custom orders take time. Understanding the difference saves headaches.
Quick Reference: Lead Times at a Glance
| Product Type | Typical Lead Time |
| Stock interior doors | A few days to 1 week |
| Stock exterior doors | Within 1 week |
| Custom doors (interior or exterior) | 4-16 weeks |
| Stock windows (from suppliers) | 2-6 weeks |
| Custom windows | 4-16 weeks |
These are general ranges. Actual timelines depend on what you order and current manufacturer schedules. Always confirm before finalizing your project timeline.
What Is the Difference Between Stock and Custom Doors and Windows?
Stock products use slabs and components already in inventory. The supplier keeps common sizes and styles on the shelf. When you order, they pull what they have and build the unit to your specifications. You choose the jamb, trim, and handing. They assemble it within a few days.
Custom doors and windows are made to order from scratch. You choose the size, material, finish, glass, and hardware. The manufacturer builds it after you place the order. That takes weeks, not days.
Stock is faster because the main components are already available. Custom fits better when standard sizes do not work.
How Long Do Interior Doors Take?
Stock Interior Doors
Typical lead time: A few days for stock slabs with assembly. Up to a week depending on volume.
Best for: Standard openings, tight timelines, budget-conscious projects, production builds.
Stock interior doors are the fastest option. The slabs are in inventory. You specify the jamb, trim, and handing. The supplier assembles the unit within a few days.
This includes molded panel doors, flush doors, and basic prehung units. Contractors around Tucker and Norcross rely on stock doors to keep jobs moving.
Cofer Brothers has an interior door shop onsite in Tucker. We keep slabs in stock and build prehung units to order. That means faster turnaround than waiting on a factory shipment.
Custom Interior Doors
Typical lead time: 4-16 weeks depending on specifications.
Best for: Non-standard sizes, older homes, stain-grade wood, matching existing millwork.
Custom interior doors take longer. Non-standard sizes, special wood species, or stain-grade finishes require a factory order. The manufacturer builds the door after you place the order.
Older homes often have openings that do not match today’s standard sizes. Matching existing trim or style may also require custom work.
How Long Do Exterior Doors Take?
Windows generally take longer than doors. They come in more sizes and configurations. Most windows are ordered from manufacturers and ship fully assembled.
Cofer Brothers does not stock windows. We order from manufacturers, so lead times depend on what suppliers have available.
Stock Exterior Doors
Typical lead time: Within a week for stock sizes and styles.
Best for: Standard entries, straightforward replacements, jobs where timing is critical.
Stock exterior doors in common sizes and styles ship quickly. Fiberglass slabs in standard configurations are usually in inventory. You specify the jamb, hardware prep, and handing. The unit gets assembled within a few days.
If you need a standard 36-inch fiberglass entry door with no sidelites, you can often get it within a week.
Custom Exterior Doors
Typical lead time: 4-16 weeks. Complex orders may take longer.
Best for: Non-standard openings, sidelite configurations, decorative glass, aluminum-clad units.
Custom exterior doors take longer because they are built to your specifications. Sidelites, transoms, special glass, and non-standard sizes all add time.
Front entry doors with decorative glass or custom dimensions often fall into this category. Aluminum-clad doors from Pella or Ply Gem typically require factory orders.
How Long Do Windows Take?
Windows generally take longer than doors. They come in more sizes and configurations. Most windows are ordered from manufacturers and ship fully assembled.
Cofer Brothers does not stock windows. We order from manufacturers, so lead times depend on what suppliers have available.
Stock Windows
Typical lead time: 2-6 weeks for stock sizes from suppliers.
Best for: Standard sizes, vinyl units, new construction with common opening sizes.
Stock windows are units that manufacturers keep in inventory. Standard vinyl single-hung and double-hung units in popular sizes are sometimes available. These ship faster than custom orders.
However, most windows still require ordering. Even stock sizes typically take a few weeks to arrive.
Custom Windows
Typical lead time: 4-16 weeks. Specialty configurations may take longer.
Best for: Non-standard sizes, specialty shapes, aluminum-clad frames, high-performance glass.
Custom windows take 4-16 weeks on average. Special sizes, shapes, grille patterns, or glass options extend the timeline. Aluminum-clad windows typically require longer lead times than vinyl.
Large picture windows, specialty shapes, and high-performance glass add complexity.
What Causes Delays?
Most delays happen for a few common reasons.
Ordering Late
This is the most common cause. Jobs get scheduled before materials are ordered. By the time the order goes in, the timeline does not work. Order early.
Wrong Measurements
Incorrect measurements cause reorders. Reorders take twice as long. Measure carefully. Have someone else verify critical dimensions.
Choosing Custom When Stock Would Work
Sometimes custom doors and windows are necessary. Sometimes it is not. Before ordering custom, ask if a stock option would do the job.
Not Confirming Lead Times
Lead times change. Manufacturer schedules shift. Always confirm current lead times before finalizing your project schedule.
How Can Cofer Brothers Help?
We keep deep inventory of stock door slabs. When you need doors fast, we can often get them to you within a week.
Our door shop in Tucker assembles pre-hung units onsite. You tell us the jamb, trim, and handing. We build the unit within a few days. That means faster turnaround and better quality control than factory-shipped units.
For windows, we work directly with Ply Gem, JELD-WEN, and ViWinTech. We give you accurate lead times before you commit.
For custom doors, we work with Therma-Tru, Plastpro, Masonite, Pella, and Ply Gem. If timing is a concern, we can help you find stock alternatives.
We also help with quotes from material lists, photos, or quick calls. Our team knows how to translate plans into orders that arrive on time.
What Should You Do Next?
If you have a project coming up, start thinking about doors and windows now.
Make a list of what you need. Note sizes, styles, and any special requirements. Call or stop by and we can tell you what is in stock and what requires a lead time.
Planning ahead keeps your project on schedule. We are here to help.
