Flat glass prices remained relatively steady in November, notes the United States Labor Department in its delayed Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures inflation before it reaches customers. Government data shows that glass and glass product manufacturing prices rose by a modest 0.1% over the month. However, year-to-year prices for the commodity and the cost of its manufacturing remained elevated, sitting 2.8% higher than in November 2024.

The PPI schedule has been in flux since the 43-day government shutdown. There was no PPI released in October, while November’s data was supposed to be released in early December. December’s data will be unveiled on January 30.

While glass prices remain stable, the same cannot be said for metal products. According to the PPI, the costs associated with ornamental and architectural metalwork were 11.9% higher in November than in November 2024. Furthermore, metal window prices were up more than 18% on a year-to-year basis.

On the construction front, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) notes that nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.6% in November and were more than 3% higher than a year ago.

“Construction input prices surged in November and are now up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis,” says ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “While that’s a relatively modest annual increase, it’s also the largest since January 2023, and the trend offers plenty of cause for concern. Many tariff-affected materials, like derivative metal products and switchgear equipment, have experienced considerable price escalation in 2025. Prices for aluminum mill shapes and primary and secondary nonferrous metals are both up more than 25% over the past year.”

—According to the Labor Department, the cost for flat glass products was unchanged in November, continuing three months of relative stability throughout the sector. On a year-to-year basis, flat glass product prices were up 3.3% compared to November 2024.

—The cost to manufacture flat glass was also flat in September, halting two consecutive months of declining prices (-0.4 in September and October). Year to year, flat glass manufacturing prices were up 3.8% compared to November 2024.

—The cost of fabricated structural metal products rose by 0.7% in November. This followed a 0.8% increase in October, a 0.3% increase in September and a 0.9% increase in August. Year to year, the price of fabricated structural metal products was up 8.3% compared to November 2024.

—Ornamental and architectural metalwork prices jumped in November, rising 1% after October’s 1.7% increase. The year-to-year PPI for the commodity was up 11.9% compared to November 2024. Ornamental and architectural metalwork manufacturers develop architectural metalwork, including handrails, balcony rails, screen doors, window guards and other architectural fittings.

—The price of metal windows (except storm sash) surged 5.8% in November, continuing a trend of increased prices for the commodity. On a year-to-year basis, metal window prices were up 18.1% compared to November 2024.

—Metal door prices inched up 0.2% in November, a marginal increase when compared to August’s 6.4% jump. Year-to-year prices for the commodity were up 10.2% in November compared to November 2024.

—The price of builders’ hardware products (lock units, key blanks and door and window hardware) went unchanged in November. However, year-to-year prices for builders’ hardware products were up 9.3% in November compared to November 2024.