Flat glass prices continued their steady climb in August 2025, rising 1.2% following a 3.1% increase in July, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) from the U.S. Labor Department. Year-over-year, flat glass prices are up 3.9%, while the PPI for flat glass manufacturing increased 0.3% in August, marking a 4.7% rise compared to August 2024.
Other construction-related materials also posted notable gains. Fabricated structural metal products rose 0.8% in August and 5.9% year-over-year. Metal windows increased 3.1% in August and 6.9% annually, while metal doors and frames surged 6.4% in August and 11.7% year-over-year. Ornamental and architectural metalwork remained flat for the month but climbed 9.2% over the year. Builders’ hardware, including locks and window fittings, inched up 0.1%, up 10% annually.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED®
Construction input prices overall increased 0.2% in August, with nonresidential construction inputs also up 0.2%. According to Anirban Basu, chief economist at the Associated Builders and Contractors, falling oil and natural gas prices helped limit overall increases, even as steel prices rose 9.2% and copper wire and cable prices jumped 13.8% year-over-year.
Despite rising material costs, contractors remain optimistic about profit margins in the coming months. 
Source: fred.stlouisfed.org with additional information added by Glass Balkan
