Frequently Asked Questions

Our solar door signs have a built-in solar panel on top that charges a rechargeable battery during daylight hours. When it gets dark, a light sensor automatically switches on the integrated LED, illuminating your house number with a warm glow. There’s no wiring, no mains electricity, and no running costs — just mount it and it works.

On a full charge, the LED illumination lasts between 2 and 8 hours after dusk, depending on how much sunlight the panel received during the day. In summer you’ll get the full duration; in winter with shorter days, it may be slightly less, but the 120mA solar cell is designed to charge reliably even in overcast British weather.

Yes. The solar panel is rated at 120mA and is specifically chosen to work in UK weather conditions, including overcast and cloudy days. It won’t charge as quickly as in direct sunlight, but it will still gather enough energy to illuminate your house number in the evening.

Absolutely. Our signs are made from 100% ASA plastic, which is UV-resistant, waterproof, and won’t fade, crack, or go brittle over time. ASA is a much more durable material than PLA (which many cheaper signs use). These signs are designed to live outdoors permanently, rain or shine.

Each sign measures 16.2cm wide x 15.2cm tall x 4cm deep. This is a substantial, solid sign — not a thin sticker or plaque. The depth accommodates the solar panel and LED components.

Our current range features a modern textured black background with clean, bold white inlaid numbers and a warm LED glow. We chose this design because it complements virtually any front door or wall colour and looks equally good on modern and traditional homes.

The rechargeable battery is integrated into the sign and is designed to last for many years of daily charge/discharge cycles. If the battery eventually degrades, please contact us and we can advise on options.

Our signs can accommodate house numbers of varying lengths. If you have a particularly long house number or name, please contact us at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk before ordering and we’ll confirm it will fit perfectly.

When you add a sign to your cart, you’ll be asked to enter your house number (and street name if you’ve chosen the street name version). We then manufacture your sign to order with exactly the details you provide. Please double-check your details before placing the order, as each sign is custom-made specifically for you.

Yes! We offer two versions: a house number only sign, and a house number with street name sign. Both are the same price and the same quality — just choose the version that suits your needs.

Because each sign is custom-made to your specifications, please check your details carefully before submitting your order. If you realise you’ve made an error, contact us immediately at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk and we’ll do our best to correct it before production begins. Once manufacturing has started, we may not be able to make changes.

Absolutely — our solar door signs make a fantastic housewarming gift, new home present, or thoughtful gift for someone who’s hard to buy for. Just enter their house number at checkout and ship it to their address (or yours, if you want to wrap it first).

We’re open to discussing bulk orders, trade pricing, or custom runs for property developers, estate agents, housing associations, or retailers looking to stock our products. Please email us at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk with details of what you need and we’ll put together a quote.

Because every sign is made to order, please allow up to 5 working days for manufacturing, plus Royal Mail delivery time (typically 2–3 working days). So you can expect your sign within approximately 7–8 working days of placing your order.

Delivery is free on all UK orders. We ship via Royal Mail.

We currently deliver to UK addresses only. If you’re based outside the UK and interested in our products, please get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.

Each sign is carefully packaged to protect it during transit. We use appropriate packaging materials to ensure your sign arrives in perfect condition.

Installation is simple and wire-free — no electrician needed. The sign can be mounted to a wall, fence, or door using screws or strong outdoor adhesive. We recommend positioning it where the solar panel on top will receive as much daylight as possible for the best charging performance.

For optimal performance, mount your sign where the top of the sign (where the solar panel is located) will receive direct or indirect daylight for as much of the day as possible. South-facing positions are ideal, but the panel will still charge in indirect light or on north-facing walls — it just won’t charge quite as quickly.

The sign can be mounted on brick, stone, wood, render, PVC, metal, or any other solid outdoor surface. The mounting method will depend on your wall type — screws work for most surfaces, and strong outdoor adhesive is an alternative for smooth surfaces.

Because each sign is custom-made to your specifications, personalised signs are exempt from the standard 14-day cancellation right under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 (Regulation 28(1)(b)). However, if your sign arrives faulty, damaged, or with incorrect personalisation due to our error, we will replace it or offer a full refund. See our full Terms and Conditions and Refund and Returns Policy for details.

If your sign is damaged in transit, please contact us within 48 hours of receipt at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk with your order number and photographs of the damage. We’ll arrange a replacement or refund straight away.

All our products are covered by your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If your sign develops a fault, please contact us and we’ll work with you to resolve it.

Every single sign is designed and manufactured in our workshop in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. We’re a genuine UK micro-factory — not a reseller or dropshipper. When you order from us, your sign is 3D printed, assembled, and quality-checked by our small team before being shipped directly to you.

Lakeway Workshop is a small, family-run UK manufacturing business specialising in custom-made products. We use modern manufacturing techniques including 3D printing to create unique, personalised items that are built to last. We’re a trading name of Tier8 Limited, registered in England and Wales.

We’re always developing new products in our workshop. Our focus is on thoughtfully designed, custom-made items that combine modern manufacturing with practical, everyday use. Follow us on social media or check back regularly to see what’s new.

We have 3D printing and manufacturing capabilities in our workshop, and we’re open to discussing custom projects, prototypes, or bespoke product runs. Whether you’re an individual with a product idea, a business looking for a UK manufacturing partner, or a designer needing a prototype, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk with details of your project.

Yes, we’re interested in working with retailers, garden centres, home improvement stores, gift shops, and online sellers who’d like to stock Lakeway Workshop products. We can offer trade pricing on bulk orders. Get in touch at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk to discuss a partnership.

We’re a UK-based 3D printing micro-factory with experience in producing durable, outdoor-grade products using ASA and other high-performance materials. If you have a project that requires 3D printed parts, custom manufacturing, or small-batch production, we’d be happy to discuss it. Contact us at orders@lakewayworkshop.co.uk.

A personalised solar house number sign is one of the most thoughtful housewarming gifts you can give. It’s practical (everyone needs a house number), it’s personalised to their new home, and the solar-powered LED light adds a touch of modern style to their front door. It’s the kind of gift people wouldn’t buy for themselves but absolutely love receiving.

Absolutely. A custom-made, solar-powered door sign is unique, useful, and something most people haven’t thought of buying for themselves. It’s a great alternative to generic gift vouchers or yet another set of candles.

You can add a note to your order at checkout. If you’d like us to include a specific gift message with the delivery, just mention it in your order notes and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.