Producer Price Index: US Glass and Glazing Material Prices Increase in November

Glass and glazing material prices increased in November compared to October 2022, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in its monthly Producer Price Index (PPI). The PPI measures the average prices received by producers of domestically produced goods and services.

The increase in glass and glazing manufacturing materials corresponds with price increases in the construction industry, forcing subcontractors to raise prices to mitigate rising labor costs and material prices.

“Although inflationary pressures are cooling in some areas, overall costs for construction are still rising at painfully high rates,” says Ken Simonson, the chief economist at Associated General Contractors of America. “In addition, subcontractors are reacting to higher materials and labor costs by raising their prices.”

Glass and Glazing Material Prices

The monthly PPI in November for flat glass in the commodity category increased by 1.5% from October to November. Flat glass prices are up 12.3% compared to this time last year. According to the BLS, the commodity classification “organizes products and services by similarity or material composition, regardless of the industry classification of the producing establishment.

The November index for flat glass manufacturing in the industry classification also increased by 1.5% from October to November. Year-to-year, flat glass manufacturing prices are up 25.2%. The industry classification measures “changes in prices received for the industry’s output sold outside the industry (that is, its net output).”

Prices for fabricated structural metal products continue to decrease, reports November’s PPI. The prices for these materials dropped by -0.2% from October to November. However, prices remain up 7.7% compared to this time past year.

Prices for ornamental and architectural metalwork decreased by -0.3% from October to November. Year-to-year, ornamental and architectural metalwork prices have increased by 14.4%.

Metal window prices remain unchanged from October. Year-to-year prices remain high, sitting at 17.6%. The price for metal doors and frames increased by 0.2% from October to November. Prices for metal doors and frames are 10% higher than last year.

The cost of builders’ hardware, including materials used in glass and glazing, increased by 0.1%. Year-to-year, the cost of builders’ hardware is 5.7% higher.