For air-dried oak, you should generally expect a lead time of one to three weeks, provided the material is in stock and the dimensions are known in advance. The earlier you order in the construction schedule, the more control you retain over the execution. The following questions cover everything you need to know to plan a delivery of antique oak into a project effectively.
How long is the lead time for air-dried oak?
For air-dried oak from stock, a lead time of one to three weeks is realistic. If specific dimensions need to be custom-cut, the turnaround extends to two to four weeks. The larger and more complex the order, the more time must be allowed for selection, sawing, and transportation.
Air-dried oak has been drying outdoors for years — sometimes five years or longer. That drying process is already complete. The lead time is therefore not determined by the wood itself, but by logistics: which pieces match the specified dimensions, how many need to be re-sawn, and how the shipment is assembled. For large projects involving dozens of beams, boards, or other elements of varying lengths, it is advisable to allow four to six weeks between placing the order and delivery on site.
When in the construction schedule should antique oak be ordered?
Antique oak is best ordered immediately after the structural design has been finalized — well before construction begins. In the construction schedule, this is typically the phase following planning permission and before the first groundbreaking. Ordering too early is rarely a problem; ordering too late almost always is.
Reclaimed wood is not a catalog product. Every batch is unique in its composition. Waiting until construction is already underway risks the required lengths or cross-sections no longer being available. With air-dried oak beams, the added factor is that the material’s structural stability makes it particularly attractive for demanding applications, meaning architects and contractors actively seek it out. This can drive demand higher than expected, especially for beams over eight meters. The same applies to reclaimed oak boards used for flooring, wall cladding, or roof sheathing — early ordering is equally essential here.
What specifications are required for a custom order?
For a custom order, the minimum information required per element is: desired length, width and height of the cross-section, and the intended use. Please also indicate whether the wood will be visible in the finished result, as this determines which quality grade and surface finish is appropriate.
The more precise the specifications, the better we can select and cut. A dimension list in table format works well, with one element per row and its corresponding measurements. Please include:
- Exact length in millimeters, including cutting allowance if required
- Cross-section as width × height, also in millimeters
- Quantity per dimension
- Intended use: structural, visible, or both
- Any preferences regarding color, patina, or surface texture
With this information, we can search our stock directly and let you know what is available, what can be custom-cut, and where alternatives may be needed.
What risks arise from planning too late with reclaimed wood?
Planning too late with reclaimed wood almost always leads to one of three problems: the required dimensions are no longer available, the lead time no longer fits the construction schedule, or compromises are made on quality or dimensions because selection is limited to remaining stock. These risks can be avoided entirely by ordering early.
Antique oak cannot be reproduced. A twelve-meter beam with a specific cross-section either exists in stock or it does not. Ordering too late means less choice and more pressure. This can result in accepting a slightly smaller cross-section, using a shorter beam that needs to be joined, or waiting longer while a specific piece is sourced. In a tight construction schedule, these are costly delays.
Take a look at our reference projects to see how others have approached the planning of antique timber. It gives a realistic picture of turnaround times and the complexity involved in large orders.
How is a large consignment of oak delivered to a construction site?
A large consignment of oak is delivered by truck — typically on a low-loader or an articulated vehicle fitted with a crane. Beams and boards over six meters require long-load transport. Site accessibility and unloading facilities are key factors in how the delivery is planned.
Coordinating logistics in advance is not a minor detail — it is a prerequisite. The following need to be considered:
- Route and accessibility for oversized transport vehicles
- Availability of a crane or forklift on site for unloading
- Available storage space for the timber after delivery
- Delivery time window aligned with the construction schedule
- A designated contact on site to inspect the delivery and confirm receipt
The more clearly this is established in advance, the smoother the delivery will go. We are happy to think through the most practical approach with you, even when site conditions fall outside the standard.
Can a timber supplier be involved during the planning phase of a project?
Yes — and not only is it possible, it is genuinely worthwhile. A supplier brought in early during the planning phase can advise on available cross-sections and formats, realistic lead times, and the feasibility of specific dimensions. This prevents disappointment later and makes design decisions more grounded.
For architects and contractors, early consultation with the supplier is a way to build planning certainty. Not every design that works on paper can be delivered immediately in reclaimed wood. By asking what is available during the design phase, the design can be aligned with existing stock — rather than the other way around. This avoids adjustments at a later stage.
A visit to the timber yard in Doorwerth is the most direct way to do this. You see the wood for yourself, discuss the dimensions on the spot, and leave with a clear picture of what is possible and what it costs.
How Frank Pouwer supports the delivery of air-dried oak
Oak that is decades old carries something with it. Not as a marketing claim, but as a fact: the material is more stable, drier, and more characterful than new timber. We hold the largest stock of reclaimed wood in Europe, with more than 15,000 individually measured elements documented in our database.
What we offer for projects involving air-dried oak:
- Immediate availability of beams, boards, and other elements up to over ten meters from stock
- Custom sawing to your exact dimensions based on your specification list
- Early consultation on feasibility and planning coordination
- Transport arranged for both national and international projects
- Personal advice on quality grade, surface finish, and intended use
Would you like to know what is available for your project and what the lead time would be? Request a quote and we will check what is possible without delay.
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