Glass and glass product manufacturing prices dipped 0.1% in August, partially offsetting a 1% increase in July. Despite the monthly decline, prices remained 4.5% higher than in August 2025, according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The increase comes amid broader cost pressures for the construction industry. New nonresidential construction rose 8.9% from August 2025 to August 2026, even as contractors contend with higher material and labor costs. Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) officials say those increases are making projects harder to pencil out and prompting some owners to cancel, postpone or scale back planned construction.
“Construction firms are being squeezed by tariff- and war-induced materials cost increases, even as they boost wages to attract personnel,” says Ken Simonson, AGC’s chief economist. “Those cost increases, according to our latest survey, are a major reason project owners are canceling, postponing or scaling back projects.”
Tariff Pressures
PPI’s August data shows that the index for diesel fuel rose 77.8% from August 2025 to last month, increasing equipment, delivery and material costs for many construction and glass companies. Metal prices also rose over the past 12 months. AGC notes that prices climbed year-over-year by 27.3% for aluminum mill shapes, 23.4% for steel mill products and 20.9% for copper and brass mill shapes.
Those increased metal prices predate Canada’s aluminum counter-tariffs in early September after trade talks with Washington collapsed. Following the failed talks, the U.S. imposed a 50% tariff on roughly $20 billion of Canadian exports, while Canada implemented retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately $20 billion worth of U.S. goods, which officially went into effect on Sept. 8, 2026. As part of the counter-tariffs, Canada increased tariffs on aluminum and steel, ranging from 25% to 50%.
Fenestration Canada reports that several fenestration products imported from the U.S. were included in Canada’s rebuttal, including aluminum doors, windows, frames and thresholds; iron or steel doors, windows, frames and thresholds; and iron and steel fasteners, which face 50% tariffs. Base-metal mountings and fittings for doors and windows face a 25% tariff.
Melissa Irmen, director of advocacy for the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones, tells CNBC that the continued uncertainty around tariffs will permanently change the business landscape going forward.
“Companies are not able to make the fast decisions required for the tariff changes,” she explains. “Supply chains don’t work that way. We tell our members that things will not go back to the way they were pre-2025. Try to look as long-term as you can.”
Glass and Glazing Material Prices
Flat Glass—Flat glass prices ticked up 0.1% in August. On a year-to-year basis, the PPI for flat glass was up 2.8% compared to the same period in 2025. The PPI’s flat glass commodity category encompasses domestically produced glass made via the float, sheet and plate processes.
Flat Glass Manufacturing—After three consecutive months of declines, the PPI for glass manufacturing was unchanged in August. On a year-to-year basis, the cost of manufacturing flat glass was up 2% compared to August 2025. The PPI for flat glass manufacturing tracks the average changes in selling prices received by domestic manufacturers for firms engaged in making flat glass from sand, soda ash and other raw materials.
Fabricated Structural Metal Products—Fabricated structural metal product prices increased 0.5% in August. Year over year, prices were up 6.5% compared with August 2025. The fabricated structural metal products category tracks prices for structural components used in buildings, including metal buildings and components made from steel or aluminum.
Ornamental and Architectural Metalwork—Ornamental and architectural metalwork prices increased 0.6% in August, following a revised 0.1% increase in July. Year over year, prices were up 9.9% compared with August 2025. Ornamental and architectural metal manufacturers produce items such as handrails, balcony rails, screen doors, window guards and other architectural fittings.
Metal Windows—Prices for metal windows were unchanged in August after increasing 0.3% in July, 0.2% in June and 0.7% in May. Year over year, metal window prices were 12.2% higher compared with August 2025. The category tracks window frames and sash made primarily of aluminum or steel.
Metal Doors and Frames—Metal door and frame prices were unchanged in August. Year over year, prices were up 2.9% compared with August 2025.
Builders’ Hardware—The cost of builders’ hardware products (lock units, key blanks and door and window hardware) declined by 0.1% in August. This followed a 2.8% increase in July. Year-to-year prices for builders’ hardware products were up 4.8% compared to August 2025.