This page maps release gates. It does not publish fabrication week counts. For system-level lead-time context, see commercial glazing lead times in 2026. That page and this one answer different questions.
Approval stamp vs ship date
Architect or GC approval of shop drawings means the drawings are accepted for fabrication intent. It does not mean aluminum is cutting, glass is ordered, or a truck is booked.
A ship date is when finished material leaves the plant. Between approval and ship sit release gates and fabrication. Scheduling install from the approval stamp alone is how storefront arrives after drywall.
Ask your supplier one question in writing: Which document and payment state start your manufacturing clock on this order? The answer is supplier-specific.
Release-gate flowchart / table (template)
Use this as a PM tracking sheet. Fill dates per project. It is a template, not a schedule duration claim.
TEMPLATE ONLY. Sequence is typical practice. Confirm gate order with your supplier PO. No lead-time days invented.
| Gate | What “clear” means | Owner (typical) | Date cleared | Blocks clock? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shop approval | Shops stamped approved or approved-as-noted with no hold items that stop fab | Architect / GC / glazing sub per contract | ____/____/____ | Usually yes |
| 2. Dimensions locked | Rough openings or field verified sizes written into the release package | GC / survey / glazing sub | ____/____/____ | Usually yes |
| 3. Finish selection | Color / anodize / paint system named with manufacturer code | Architect / owner | ____/____/____ | Often yes (extrusion finish) |
| 4. Deposit / credit | Required deposit cleared or credit terms satisfied per PO | Buyer / AP | ____/____/____ | Supplier-specific |
| 5. Factory acknowledgment | Plant issues release ack / order confirmation with fab start reference | Supplier / factory | ____/____/____ | This is the clock start for many plants |
Flow (typical): Shop approval → dimensions locked → finish named → deposit clear → factory ack → fabrication → ship. Some suppliers allow parallel gates. Confirm your PO.
Gate 1: Shop approval
Approved-as-noted with open hold items that affect size, glass makeup, or hardware is not a clean release. Resolve holds that change fabrication before you treat the stamp as final.
Revise-and-resubmit cycles restart review. They do not start manufacturing. Track each return date on the same sheet as the gates above.
Gate 2: Dimensions locked
Many packages need rough opening confirmation from structural or field measure before glass is cut. “Per plans” is risky when the field opening drifted after steel.
Write the dimension source into the release: structural drawing revision, field ticket date, or architect directive. If dimensions change after factory ack, expect a stop or remake.
Gate 3: Finish selection
Custom finishes often gate extrusion processing. A color TBD hold can leave approved shops sitting while the plant waits for a finish code.
Name the finish system and color code in the same package as the shops. Do not assume standard mill finish when the elevations show a custom color.
Gate 4: Deposit / credit
Some manufacturers will not enter fabrication until deposit clears or credit is approved. That is a commercial gate, not a drawing gate.
AP delay after “approved shops” is a common hidden schedule killer. Put deposit timing on the same tracker as drawing approval.
Gate 5: Factory acknowledgment
Factory acknowledgment is the plant saying the release package is complete enough to manufacture. Until that ack exists, you have paperwork, not a manufacturing start.
Ask for the ack in writing with a reference number. That document is what you schedule against, not the architect stamp alone.
Ship date comes later, after fabrication and freight booking. For ranges by system type, use the lead times article and reconfirm at buyout. This page intentionally does not invent days or weeks.
How to ask without guessing weeks
Send elevations and the door and window schedule. Ask for: (1) which gates start the clock on your order, (2) current fabrication window after factory ack, and (3) whether finish or deposit currently holds release.
ACG works from West Palm Beach, Naples, and Tampa. Call (772) 486-7711. FL CGC #1531993.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does shop drawing approval start the manufacturing clock?
Often no. Many factories wait for approved shops plus locked dimensions, finish selection, deposit clearance, and a factory acknowledgment of release. Treat each as a separate gate until your PO says otherwise.
What is the difference between shop approval and a ship date?
Shop approval means drawings are accepted for fabrication intent. A ship date is when finished material leaves the plant. Between those points sit release gates and fabrication itself. Do not schedule truck arrival from the approval stamp alone.
Which release gates should a GC track?
Track shop approval, field or structural dimension lock, finish selection, deposit or credit clearance, and factory acknowledgment of the release package. Ask the supplier which gate starts their clock on your order.
Where can I find typical fabrication lead-time ranges?
Use ACG’s commercial glazing lead times page for system-level context. This article does not invent lead-time days. Confirm current weeks with your supplier at buyout.