Aluminium Cladding Lead Times: What to Expect and How to Plan
Lead times are one of the first questions in any facade procurement conversation, and one of the most consequential if you get them wrong. A three-month wait on cladding that was assumed to be four weeks can push back an entire facade programme, delay handover, and create cost pressure across the project.
This guide sets out what to realistically expect when ordering aluminium facade products from Valmond & Gibson, and how to factor those timelines into your project programme from the start.
What’s Available from Stock?
Some products ship within days. If your project uses standard colours and profiles, you may not need to wait at all.
element13 stock colours are held in our Sydney warehouse and can ship within days of order confirmation. The stock range includes solid colours (Opal, Salt, Tungsten, Charcoal, Carbon) and metallics (Silver, Mercury, Iron, Nickel, Calamine), along with additional options. There is no minimum order quantity on stock colours, so whether you need 20 sheets or 200, the lead time is the same.
conneQt standard profiles — battens, adaptors, and accessories — are also held in Sydney and available on short lead times. For most standard configurations, expect delivery within one to two weeks.
For projects where the programme is tight or the colour has flexibility, stock products are the fastest path to material on site.
What Lead Times Apply for Non-Stock and Custom Orders?
Once you move beyond stock items, lead times depend on the product, the supply route, and whether you are ordering a standard or custom specification.
interloQ — 2 to 14 Weeks
interloQ lead times vary significantly depending on whether you go with domestic or imported extrusion.
Domestic extrusion (extruded in Australia) typically runs 2 to 4 weeks for the raw profile, plus 1 to 2 weeks for local powder coating. This is the faster route and suits projects where the timeline is compressed or volumes are moderate.
Imported extrusion (mill finish from China) runs 10 to 14 weeks for the extrusion itself, plus 1 to 2 weeks for local powder coating after arrival. This is the more cost-effective route for larger volumes, but needs to be planned early.
The choice between the two comes down to volume, urgency, and budget. Both routes deliver the same finished product — the difference is in timing and cost.
element13 Non-Stock Colours — 10 to 12 Weeks
Any element13 colour not held in stock — including woodgrain, imitation, bright, and custom colour-matched finishes — is manufactured to order in China with PPG PVDF coating. Expect 10 to 12 weeks from order confirmation, and minimum order quantities apply.
If your project specifies a non-stock colour, this is a timeline that needs to be locked in well before the facade programme begins.
165CW Curtain Wall — Project-Specific
165CW profiles are extruded in Australia, which shortens the lead time on raw aluminium. But curtain wall is inherently project-specific — every job requires fabrication (cutting, glazing, assembly) to match the design.
A typical programme looks like 4 to 8 weeks for profile supply, plus fabrication time on top. LogiKal software helps accelerate the design-to-fabrication process, but the total timeline depends on scope and complexity. Early engagement on 165CW projects is particularly important.
Samples — 1 to 2 Weeks
Stock colour samples are typically available within a week. Non-stock or custom samples may need to be cut from a production run, so allow additional time and flag sample requirements early.
Lead Time Summary
| Product | Supply Route | Typical Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| element13 (stock colours) | Sydney warehouse | Days to 1 week |
| conneQt (standard profiles) | Sydney warehouse | 1-2 weeks |
| interloQ | Domestic extrusion + local powder coat | 3-6 weeks |
| interloQ | Imported extrusion + local powder coat | 11-16 weeks |
| element13 (non-stock colours) | Manufactured to order (China) | 10-12 weeks |
| 165CW | Australian extrusion + project fabrication | 4-8 weeks + fabrication |
| Samples (stock) | Sydney warehouse | ~1 week |
| Samples (non-stock) | From production run | 2+ weeks |
How Should Lead Times Factor into Project Programming?
The most common planning mistake is treating facade procurement as something that happens after the subcontract is awarded. By that point, a 10-to-14-week imported lead time means you are already three to four months away from material on site, and that timeline often catches project teams off guard.
A few practical considerations:
Order early on imported products. If you know interloQ or a non-stock element13 colour is going into the project, get the order in as early as possible. Waiting until every last design detail is resolved before placing the order can push your facade programme back by months.
Confirm colour and finish before ordering. Changes after production has started — particularly on imported product — cause real delays. Colour sign-off should happen early, not as an afterthought during construction.
Account for shipping variability. Imported lead times are estimates, not guarantees. Port congestion, customs clearance, and seasonal shipping demand can all add days or weeks. Build a buffer into your programme rather than planning to the best-case scenario.
Consider staged deliveries. On larger orders, it is often possible to stage deliveries so that material arrives progressively as different areas of the facade are ready for installation. This can help align supply with your installation sequence rather than waiting for one large shipment.
What Can V&G Do to Help with Tight Timelines?
We deal with programme pressure on almost every project. A few things that help:
Stock colour alternatives. If the specified colour has a 10-to-12-week lead time and the programme cannot absorb it, it is worth checking whether a stock colour meets the design intent. This is a conversation best had early — not when the programme is already under pressure.
Domestic extrusion for interloQ. Where timing is critical and the volume is workable, domestic extrusion compresses the interloQ lead time significantly. We can advise on the cost and timing trade-off.
Early engagement at specification stage. The earlier we are involved in a project, the more we can do to align supply with the programme. If we know what is coming, we can plan stock allocation, flag potential lead time risks, and help you avoid surprises. This applies whether you are the architect specifying the product, the builder tendering the job, or the installer planning the install.
Honest communication on timing. We would rather tell you upfront that something is 12 weeks away than have you find out at week eight that it is not ready. If a timeline shifts, we will let you know as early as we can.
Get Ahead of the Programme
Lead times do not have to be a source of project risk. They just need to be understood early and planned for honestly. If you have a project coming up and want to understand the timing for specific products, colours, or quantities, get in touch with our team. The earlier the conversation, the smoother the programme.
Related Reading
- How to Order Aluminium Cladding: A Guide for Installers
- Understanding Facade Supply Chains: Domestic vs International
- Why Builders Should Engage Facade Suppliers Before Tender
- Panel Sizes and Module Planning for Aluminium Cladding
Last updated: 3 April 2026