Glass Prices Squeezed by Material Costs and Tariffs.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Conference on Architecture & Design in Boston recently served as a crucial forum for architects and construction industry professionals. Beyond fostering invaluable networking opportunities, the conference delved into a diverse range of topics shaping the built environment, from sustainable “turtle glass” and critical security considerations to the intricacies of window restoration and, significantly, the profound impact of current economic conditions.

A prominent theme resonating throughout the discussions was the escalating pressure from tariffs and broader macro and microeconomic factors. The timing of the conference coincided with a pivotal White House announcement: a doubling of tariffs on aluminum and steel from 25% to 50% across all countries. This decisive move has sent ripples, particularly through the glass, glazing, and metal industries, exacerbating existing economic headwinds and compelling glass manufacturers to implement significant price increases.

Brian Cooper, President and CEO of Cooper Historical Windows and Liberty Restoration Glass, offered a candid perspective on the exhibition floor regarding the rising costs of glass products and the recent tariffs. He succinctly described the situation as a “lose-lose” for all involved. “The increases are not good,” stated Cooper. “Everybody’s holding their breath. Hopefully, costs and tariffs will eventually go down. Take the tariffs, for instance. On a project in Boston, the bill was four grand, but a week later, it was $14,500. That’s more than 145%. We checked in, and the 145% was also on the ship. It’s a tax on us. It’s not helping anybody.” Despite these formidable challenges, Cooper noted that his business continues to thrive, with ongoing restoration projects at prestigious institutions like Yale and Cornell, and others across the Northeast.

Further compounding the economic strain, a major glass manufacturer, Vitro Architectural Glass, communicated directly with customers regarding upcoming price adjustments. In a letter dispatched at the end of May, Vitro attributed these increases to “global inflationary challenges that we are experiencing [which] continue to create extraordinary pressures on our economy and, in turn, our business.” Effective June 16, 2025, Vitro will implement price hikes on a variety of flat glass products, citing the escalating costs of raw materials, logistics, electricity, and labor. The affected products include:

• Clear, Tints and Low-Iron Float Glass Products:
  • Clear float (all thicknesses): 25% increase
  • Starfire Ultra-Clear™ Glass: 12% increase
  • Acuity Low Iron Glass: 12% increase
  • Tinted float glass: 25% increase
  • Tempered Glass: 12% increase
• Coated Glass Products:
  • Solarban Coated Glass: 15% increase
  • Sungate Coated Glass: 15% increase
  • Solarcool and Vistacool® Coated Glass: 15% increase
  • Clarvista Glass: 15% increase
• Other Glass Products:
  • Platia Mirror Glass: 25% increase
  • Pavia Acid-Etched Glass: 25% increase

Vitro also clarified that energy and transportation surcharges will remain independent of these price adjustments and will continue to be subject to their monthly surcharge letter.

The discussions at the AIA Conference underscored the complex and interconnected challenges currently facing the architecture and construction sectors. As the industry navigates these economic currents, adaptability, strategic planning, and a clear understanding of the evolving cost landscape will be paramount for success.