Tag Archive for ‘Building Materials’

Vinyl is the Most Widely Used Exterior for New Homes

According to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and NAHB analysis, vinyl (including vinyl-covered aluminum) was the most common exterior wall material used in homes started in 2014 (29 percent), followed by stucco and brick or brick veneer (23 percent each), and fiber cement siding (such as Hardiplank or Hardiboard) (18 percent). The principal exterior wall material… Read More ›

Producer Prices in August – ‘Tis the Season …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for August. Inflation in prices received by producers (prior to sales to consumers) were unchanged in August following a 0.2% increase in July. Separately, a 0.4% increase in prices for services was offset by a 0.6% decline in prices for goods, driven mainly by falling gas prices. Excluding food and… Read More ›

Producer Prices in April – Up in March, Down in April

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for April. Inflation in prices received by producers (prior to sales to consumers) fell 0.4% in April after a modest increase (0.2%) in March. The decline was dominated by goods, and mainly energy, but prices for services also declined by 0.1%. Prices for gypsum flattened out in April… Read More ›

Producer Prices in March – Positive for the Economy, Negative for Building Materials, But In a Good Way

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for March, reporting that inflation in prices received by producers (prior to sales to consumers) increased 0.2% in March after a string of monthly declines. The overall increase was led by increasing prices for energy, mainly gasoline. Prices for services rose 0.1%. Rising energy prices and any indication… Read More ›

Producer Prices in February – Falling Prices, Except for Gypsum

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for February. Inflation in prices received by producers (prior to sales to consumers) declined 0.5% in February. The decline was dominated by a decline in prices for services and within services prices for trade, transportation and warehousing. Prices for goods also declined led by falling food prices. Energy… Read More ›

Producer Prices in January – Gas Down, Wood Products Sideways, Gypsum Up

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the Producer Price Indexes (PPI) for January. Inflation in prices received by producers (prior to sales to consumers) declined 0.8% in January from December driven by a 24.0% decline in the price index for gasoline. Excluding food and energy, prices for goods declined 0.2%. Prices for services declined 0.2% in January. Among wood… Read More ›