Glass and Metalwork Prices Edge Higher in August

Glass and glass product manufacturing costs rose incrementally in August, following a substantial 1.1% increase in July. According to the United States Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for glass manufacturing ticked up 0.1% in August as the overall Producer Price Index (PPI) rose 0.2% during the month. On a year-to-date basis, the PPI for final demand was up 1.7% compared to August 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.

Glass and Glazing Material Prices

Flat Glass—Flat glass prices increased by 0.3% in August. The PPI for flat glass in July was a revised 0.5%. This followed a 0.5% decrease in June. Year-to-year, flat glass prices were up 2.4% compared to August 2023.

Flat Glass Manufacturing—Prices for flat glass manufacturing found no relief in August, as the commodity rose 0.8%, following a 1.5% jump in July. The average price for flat glass manufacturing dropped 0.6% in July, but year-to-year, remained up 3.1% compared to August 2023.

Fabricated Structural Metal Products—The PPI for fabricated structural metal products increased by 0.9% in August. This followed a 0.1% jump in July, following a revised 0.3% drop in June. Despite price increases in four of the past five months, year-to-year prices remained flat compared to August 2023.

Ornamental and Architectural Metalwork— Ornamental and architectural metalwork product prices rose by 0.1% in August, continuing a run of relatively unchanged prices throughout the summer. The last substantial price increase was 3.3% in May. Despite steady prices, ornamental and architectural metalwork products remained up 9.4% compared to August 2023. Ornamental architectural metals are designed for aesthetic purposes when placed on high-end buildings.

Metal Windows—Metal window prices ticked up 0.1% in August. This followed a 0.2% increase in July. On a year-to-year basis, metal window prices were up 0.5% in August compared to August 2023. Metal windows include window frames comprised of aluminum or steel.

Metal Doors and Frames—Metal door and frame prices dropped for the first time in months, falling by 0.1% in August. This followed three consecutive months of rising costs. Year-to-year prices for metal doors and frames were up 1.6% from August 2023.

Builders’ Hardware—The prices for builders’ hardware, including door and window hardware, were flat for the sixth straight month. Year-to-year prices for builders’ hardware products were down 0.9% compared to August 2023.