The American Institute of Architects Conference on Architecture and Design in Boston allowed architects and construction-related companies to gather, network and discuss a multitude of topics impacting the architecture and construction industries. Topics included turtle glass, security, window restoration and the current economic conditions spurred by tariffs and macro and micro factors.
The conference coincided with the recent White House announcement that it doubled tariffs on aluminum and steel from 25% to 50% on all countries, further impacting the glass, glazing and metal industries. The tariffs and other economic headwinds have also forced glass companies to raise prices on various products.
Cooper Historical Windows and Liberty Restoration Glass president and CEO Brian Cooper discussed the rising costs of glass products and the recent tariffs at AIA’s exhibition, noting that it was a lose-lose situation for all.
“The increases are not good,” says 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.”
Cooper says his business is doing well despite the increases, with multiple restoration projects at Yale, Cornell, and others throughout the Northeast.
In addition to increased aluminum and steel tariffs, a major glass manufacturer announced in a letter sent to customers
that it will raise prices on several products due to continued inflationary changes. At the end of May, Vitro Architectural Glass notified customers about the upcoming price increases, stating, “The global inflationary challenges that we are experiencing continue to create extraordinary pressures on our economy and, in turn, our business.”
In its letter, Vitro officials say that, beginning on June 16, 2025, the company will increase prices on multiple flat glass products because of the rising prices of raw materials, logistics, electricity and labor. The affected products include:
Clear, Tints and Low-Iron Float Glass Products
Clear float (all thicknesses): (increasing by) 25%
Starfire Ultra-Clear™ Glass: 12%
Acuity Low Iron Glass: 12%
Tinted float glass: 25%
Tempered Glass: 12%
Coated Glass Products
Solarban Coated Glass: 15%
Sungate Coated Glass: 15%
Solarcool and Vistacool® Coated Glass: 15%
Clarvista Glass: 15%
Other Glass Products
Platia Mirror Glass: 25%
Pavia Acid-Etched Glass: 25%
Officials add that energy and transportation surcharges remain independent of pricing and will “continue to be subject to Vitro’s surcharge letter published monthly.”