The construction materials price index for nonresidential buildings fell 0.3% in April extending the decline since the September index peak to 13.1%. Prices for the mix of materials used in nonresidential construction prices are back to the December 2007 level before the 14% jump in prices from March through September.
The materials price index is expected to decline slowly for a few more months but be rising modestly again by the end of the year and rising more quickly next year, perhaps up 4–5% from the 2009 average.
April's price drop was led by structural steel (7.3%) and plywood (-3.3%). The only significant April price increases were for diesel (20.5%) and nonferrous pipe and tube (20.9%) which had both declined in March. Rising scrap and ore prices mean rising nonferrous product prices for at least several months. The Energy Department reports that diesel pump prices were unchanged from the April to the May price survey week.
| Percent Change in ..... | 1 month | 3 months | 12 months | 3 years |
| Source: Producer Price Index. Bureau of Labor Statistics | ||||
| Construction commodities | ||||
| Cement | 0.8 | -0.2 | 0.0 | 6.1 |
| Construction sand, gravel & crushed stone | 0.5 | 1.4 | 5.5 | 23.1 |
| Softwood plywood | -3.3 | -4.9 | -12.7 | -21.1 |
| Softwood lumber | 1.6 | -2.6 | -10.7 | -32.5 |
| Manufactured materials | ||||
| Gypsum products | -0.2 | -1.2 | 5.3 | -17.5 |
| Diesel fuel | 20.5 | -2.6 | -56.2 | -30.6 |
| Paint | 0.1 | 0.1 | 12.4 | 22.5 |
| Plastic construction products | -0.5 | -0.6 | 3.0 | 1.9 |
| Vitreous plumbing fixtures | 2.3 | 2.4 | 4.2 | -1.9 |
| Ceramic tile | -2.0 | -1.4 | -0.2 | 1.6 |
| Flat glass | -0.4 | -1.0 | 2.9 | 2.7 |
| Hot-rolled bars, plates, and structural shapes | -7.3 | -15.7 | -25.9 | -2.0 |
| Extruded aluminum rod, bar, and other shapes | 1.2 | -4.3 | -26.3 | -18.2 |
| Architectural metalwork | 0.6 | -2.4 | 12.1 | 24.7 |
| Metal plumbing fixtures | 0.5 | 0.2 | 2.2 | 13.1 |
| Builders' hardware | 0.5 | -2.7 | 6.8 | 20.4 |
| Sheet metal products | -0.6 | -3.6 | 0.2 | 9.9 |
| Nonferrous pipe and tube | 20.9 | 26.7 | -28.5 | -1.3 |
| Building brick | 0.5 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 0.8 |
| Ready-mix concrete | -1.0 | -1.9 | 3.4 | 10.7 |
| Concrete block and brick | 0.3 | -0.1 | 3.3 | 10.1 |
| Millwork (window, door, cabinet) | -0.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 5.3 |
| Engineered wood products | -1.3 | -3.3 | -2.6 | -14.6 |
| Metal doors, sash, and trim | -0.8 | 0.2 | 5.4 | 9.2 |
| Summary | ||||
| Construction materials (commodity level) | -2.3 | -3.1 | -1.7 | 4.9 |
| Inputs to construction industries | -0.4 | -1.6 | -3.6 | 6.4 |
| Inputs to nonresidential construction | -0.3 | -1.6 | -5.2 | 6.3 |
Related Stories
Products and Materials | Feb 24, 2022
MAXXON® Corporation announces strategic affiliation with S3 Surface Solutions
Maxxon® Corporation, creator of Gyp-Crete® and a leader in the underlayment industry for 50 years, has aligned with S3 Surface Solutions, an innovative manufacturer of products that address problematic concrete slabs, to bring innovative, technology-driven subfloor preparation solutions to the flooring industry.
Products and Materials | Feb 14, 2022
How building owners and developers can get ahead of the next supply chain disaster
Global supply chain interruptions that started at the very beginning of the pandemic are still with us and compounding every step of the way. Below are a few proven tips on how to avert some of the costly fallout should we be faced with similar commercial disasters at any time in the future.
Walls and Partitions | Nov 29, 2021
ProWood FR Announces Availability of New Fire-Retardant, UL-Listed Wall Assembly
ProWood FR, a brand of UFP Retail Solutions, recently achieved UL Listing on a fire-retardant, pressure-treated wall assembly, ProWood FR UL V343 2-Hour Wall Assembly (UL 263 Listed).
Lighting | Oct 27, 2021
Legrand Wattstopper Strengthens Digital Lighting Management Products with ioXt Alliance Security Certification
Legrand, a global leader in electrical and network infrastructure solutions, is pleased to announce that the Wattstopper Digital Lighting Management (DLM) product family of networked lighting control systems is now certified through the ioXt Alliance Certification Program. As the most comprehensive cybersecurity certification available, the evaluation positions the Wattstopper DLM networked lighting control solution to meet DesignLights Consortium (DLC) Networked Lighting Control System Technical Requirements (Version 5), also known as NLC5.Â
| Oct 5, 2021
Weather barrier protects Brooklyn high-rise from the elements
The building team for the 20-story 22 Chapel Street project selects GP DensElement and DensDefy to ensure the building withstands the extremes of New York weather.
Products and Materials | Oct 5, 2021
Watts Offers “Backflow Testers of Tomorrow” Scholarships
The scholarship covers the cost of an approved Backflow Tester Certification training course and exam.Â
Products and Materials | Aug 16, 2021
Glen Dimplex Americas Appoints Kevin Rantin as Director of US Sales - Trade Flame Division
Glen Dimplex Americas (GD Americas) has appointed Kevin Rantin as Director of Sales and will lead the US Trade Flame Sales Team for the company’s fireplace brands including, Dimplex, Faber and Nectre. A world leader in electric fireplace technology under the Dimplex brand, Glen Dimplex Americas offers a range of industry-leading solutions for virtually every commercial sector and recently added the luxury Faber gas fireplace brand and the trusted Nectre wood-burning stove line to its expanding product portfolio.
Products and Materials | Apr 9, 2021
Working From Here: Delivering Acoustic Sanity in Multi-Family and Mixed Use Buildings in the Post-COVID Era
REGUPOL, manufacturer of a comprehensive range of noise abatement products, offers wall and ceiling isolation systems to provide a reliable solution to effectively reduce airborne noise between rooms.
Products and Materials | Apr 6, 2021
Nationwide Protective Coatings launches PERMAKOTE® Metal Roof Paint
This easy to apply roof coating system will provide many years of durable protection and will extend the roof’s life.
Coronavirus | Mar 11, 2021
The Weekly show, March 11, 2021: 5 building products for COVID-related conditions, and AI for MEP design
This week on The Weekly show, BD+C editors speak with AEC industry leaders about building products and systems that support COVID-related conditions, and an AI tool that automates the design of MEP systems.
