Flat Glass Manufacturing Costs See Largest Decline in Months

The cost of manufacturing flat glass tumbled in November, falling by 9.3%, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index (PPI). Labor Department data shows that in November, the PPI for glass and glass product manufacturing dropped by 0.9%, while the cost of flat glass products declined by 3.4%, ending a five-month run of elevated prices. However, the year-to-year PPI for glass and glass product manufacturing remained up 1.6% compared to November 2023. 

The PPI measures the prices of goods and services at the wholesale level in the United States, from raw materials to finished products. It leads the Consumer Price Index as producers pass price increases to their customers.

On the construction front, input prices were unchanged in November compared to the previous month. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.1%, while construction input prices were 0.5% higher than a year ago, and nonresidential construction input prices were 0.3% higher.

The Labor Department also reported that wholesale prices rose more than expected in November, signaling that inflation remains stubborn. On an annual basis, wholesale inflation was 3%.

Glass and Glazing Material Prices

Flat Glass—Flat glass prices dropped for the first time in five months in November (-3.4%). Prices for the product rose in October (0.1%), September (0.2%), August (0.1%) and July (0.4%). The last drop was 0.5% in June. Year-to-year, flat glass prices were down 1.6% compared to November 2023.

Flat Glass Manufacturing—The cost of manufacturing flat glass plunged in November, declining by 9.3%. The decline ended four months of increased prices (0.2% in October, 0.3% in September, 0.4% in August and 1.1% in July). Flat glass manufacturing prices were down 5.9% yearly compared to November 2023.

Fabricated Structural Metal Products—The price of fabricated structural metal products jumped by 0.8% in November, continuing a run of elevated prices. This followed a 1.1% increase in October, the second increase of over 1% in the past four months. On a year-to-year basis, fabricated structural metal product prices were up 0.6% in November compared to November 2023. 

Ornamental and Architectural Metalwork—The prices of ornamental and architectural metalwork products rose by 1% in November. This ended a relatively stable period for the product throughout the second half of 2024. Ornamental and architectural metalwork prices were up 9.7% compared to November 2023. 

Metal Windows—Metal window prices remained steady in November. The product prices had ticked slightly in October, rising by 0.1%. On a year-to-year basis, metal window prices were up 0.6% in November compared to November 2023. Metal windows include window frames comprised of aluminum or steel.

Metal Doors and Frames—Prices for metal doors and frames increased by 0.1% in November, following a 1.6% escalation in October. Year-to-year prices for metal doors and frames were up 2.7% in November compared to November 2023.

Builders’ Hardware—The prices for builders’ hardware, including door and window hardware, were unchanged for the sixth straight month. Year-to-year prices for builders’ hardware products remained down 0.6% in November compared to November 2023. The builders’ hardware commodity includes lock units, key blanks and door and window hardware.