Flat Glass Manufacturing Costs Surge 1.9% in September, Continuing Summer Trend

Glass product and manufacturing prices rose for the third consecutive month, increasing by 0.5% in September. This is according to the United States Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which recently released its monthly Producer Price Index (PPI). On a year-to-year basis, glass and glass product manufacturing prices were up 2.9% in September compared to September 2023.

The PPI measures the price changes paid to U.S. producers of goods and services. It can indicate ebbs and flows in consumer inflation. If the PPI rises, consumers’ prices for goods and services could increase as producers pass along increased costs to their buyers.

The PPI for overall final demand remained unchanged in September, yet up 1.8% from a year ago. Glass prices, however, increased in September, as flat glass prices and manufacturing jumped by more than 1%.

Glass and Glazing Material Prices

Flat Glass—The price of flat glass rose by 1% in September. This follows a 0.3% increase in August and a revised 0.4% hike in July. The last drop was 0.5% in June. Year-to-year, flat glass prices were up 3.1% compared to September 2023.

Flat Glass Manufacturing—The cost of manufacturing flat glass jumped 1.9% in September, following a 0.8% increase in August and a 1.3% climb in July. Year-to-year, flat glass manufacturing prices were up 5.8% compared to September 2023.

Fabricated Structural Metal Products—The price of fabricated structural metal products continued to climb, rising 0.5% in September. This follows increases in August (0.9%) and July (0.3%). Prices for the products last dropped in June (-0.7%). On a year-to-year basis, fabricated structural metal products prices were down 0.1%.

Ornamental and Architectural Metalwork—Ornamental and architectural metalwork product prices remained unchanged in September, following a 0.1% increase in August. This continued a run of relatively unchanged prices throughout the summer. The last substantial price increase was 3.3% in May. Despite moderation, ornamental and architectural metalwork products remained up 8.6% compared to September 2023. Ornamental architectural metals are designed for aesthetic purposes when placed on high-end buildings.

Metal Windows—Metal window prices were unchanged in September, ending two months of marginal price increases: August (0.1%) and July (0.2%). On a year-to-year basis, metal window prices were up 0.4% in September compared to September 2023. Metal windows include window frames comprised of aluminum or steel.

Metal Doors and Frames—Prices for metal doors and frames remained stagnant in September. Product prices dropped for the first time in months in August, falling by 0.1%. Year-to-year prices for metal doors and frames were up 1% compared to September 2023.

Builders’ Hardware—The prices for builders’ hardware, including door and window hardware, were unchanged for the fourth consecutive month. Year-to-year prices for builders’ hardware products were down 0.6% in September compared to September 2023.

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