How Long Will My Antique Mirror Take? Lead Times Explained
Every piece of Rough Old Glass is made to order in our North Devon workshop. We don't hold stock of finished panels: each one is cut, silvered and aged by hand to your sizes and chosen finish. Here's a guide to how long that takes, and how to plan your project around it.
Typical lead times
| Antique mirror glass panels, tiles and splashbacks in most finishes | 4–5 weeks |
| Bespoke framed mirrors | 4–6 weeks |
| Any of the above with our site survey and installation service | 6–8 weeks |
Verre églomisé, gold finishes and bespoke designs involve more hand gilding and can take longer. We'll always confirm the lead time for your order with your estimate.
Why it takes this long
Your glass passes through several stages before it reaches you:
- Cutting and edgework: each panel is cut to your sizes, with polished or bevelled edges, cutouts for sockets and holes for fixings.
- Toughening: splashbacks and panels near a heat source are toughened for safety. This happens after cutting and before silvering, because toughened glass can't be cut afterwards.
- Hand silvering and ageing: we silver and distress each panel by hand to create the finish you chose from our samples. No two panels are identical.
- Backing and finishing: the silvering is sealed and protected before every panel is inspected.
- Packing and delivery: panels go on our own van, or are crated for pallet or overseas delivery.
What can affect your lead time
- Shaped panels, templates or bevelled edges
- Verre églomisé and gilded finishes
- Site survey and installation, which adds a measuring visit and fitting date
- Very large projects with many panels
Planning your project
- Order samples early. Choosing a finish in your own light is the best way to avoid delays later. Order samples here.
- Measure once surfaces are fixed. For splashbacks, final measurements are best taken once worktops are in place. See our guide to measuring for your antique mirror.
- Tell us your deadline. If you're working to a completion date, let us know when you ask for a price and we'll tell you honestly whether it's achievable.
For an instant price, use our online estimator, or get in touch to discuss your project.
