The latest Producer Price Index (PPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) dropped last week showing most prices for materials used in door and window manufacturing continuing small increases across the board. Increases occurred not only from July to August 2024, but on a year-over-year basis as well.
In August, the monthly PPI for flat glass in the commodity category continued to climb, rising by 0.3% from the previous month and up 2.4% compared to the previous year. According to BLS, the commodity classification “organizes products and services by similarity or material composition, regardless of the industry classification of the producing establishment.”
The index for flat glass manufacturing in the industry classification continued an upward trend with a 0.8% increase from July 2024, jumping by 3.1% jump on a year-over-year basis. The industry classification measures “changes in prices received for the industry’s output sold outside the industry (that is, its net output).”
The PPI for metal windows inched up by 0.1% from July, increasing by 0.5% over the August 2023 report. Prices for metal doors and frames saw the first decrease, from July to August, dropping slightly, by 0.1%, while increasing 1.6% over last year. Prices for wood windows remained steady from the previous month, while increasing 3.2% on a year-over-year basis. Prices for wood doors for interior and exterior applications also decreased (-0.1%) from July, while increasing by 2.9% over August 2023 pricing.
The price for thermoplastic resins and plastic materials increased 0.3% over July 2024, jumping 2.8% compared to August of last year. Prices for fiberglass plastic products increased by 0.5% from the previous month, while increasing 6.4% over the previous August.
The cost of builders’ hardware, which includes hardware used in doors and windows, remained solid from July to August, dropping by 0.9% from August 2023.
Monthly and Yearly Change in Door and Window Material Prices
| Category | July to August 2024 | August 2023 to August 2024 |
| Flat Glass | +0.3% | +2.4% |
| Flat Glass Manufacturing | +0.8% | +3.1% |
| Metal Windows | +0.1% | +0.5% |
| Metal Doors and Frames | -0.1% | +1.6% |
| Wood Window Units | 0.0% | +3.2% |
| Wood Doors | -0.1% | +2.9% |
| Thermoplastic Resins and Plastic Materials | +0.3% | +2.8% |
| Fiberglass Plastic Products | +0.5% | +6.4% |
| Builders’ Hardware | 0.0% | -0.9% |