According to a report from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) construction input prices are 2.8% higher than a year ago. While input costs decreased 0.6% in December compared to the previous month, overall material prices increased. For example material prices of copper wire and cable increased 4.6% in December, reportedly up 22% year over year. This includes primary nonferrous metal prices up 62% over the past year. “Prices for commodities less exposed to tariffs, like asphalt or crushed stone, will likely remain tame in the coming months due to…
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Why minerals matter in roofing systems
Minerals play a key role in the performance of roofing materials. According to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, asphalt shingles remain the most widely used roofing material in the U.S., at about 80%. In the asphalt shingles contain a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and surfaced with mineral granules. The mineral granules protect from UV expose which can lead to higher rates of deterioration. Choosing the correct roofing materials for the local climate is important, asphalt shingles also provide a resistance to weather including hail and are naturally fire resistant. The…
Read MoreNLBMDA’s 2026 national policy agenda
The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) released their national policy agenda for 2026. In this they outlined their vision for housing and construction, tax and economic policy, legal reform and consumer protection, workforce policy, environment, health and safety, production supply and trade, energy and transportation. Highlights of their framework include supporting the Timber Innovation Act to advance tall wood building construction. The NLBMDA supports and wants to advance building codes that would allow for construction of wood framed buildings larger than six stories. This is supported by…
Read MoreBuilding material price rises at end of year
According to the latest Producer Price Index release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, residential building material prices continued to show growth. Price growth averages above 3.0%, despite concerns in the remodeling and new residential construction market. Across building materials, metal products experienced price increases. However, ready-mix concrete and softwood lumber declined throughout 2025. “The largest year-over-year price increases continue to show in metal products. Topping the list in November was metal molding and trim, with prices up 48.2% from last year. Two key inputs, ready-mix concrete and softwood lumber,…
Read MoreTariffs on Furniture and Kitchen Cabinets Delayed
Projected to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, the White House announced the delay of tariffs on furniture and kitchen cabinets. In October, the White House imposed a 25% tariff on kitchen cabinets, furniture and vanities with a planned increase in January of furniture to 30% and 50% of kitchen cabinet and vanity levies. By invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Act) this move extends potential increases in tariffs for upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities for another year. A White House fact sheet stated, “The…
Read MoreInterior swinging door market grows
As trends across the remodeling industry shift the interior swinging door market shows major growth. According to research from market.us, they expect an estimate of growth of around USD 1.5 Billion by 2034, from USD 1.0 Billion in 2024. This indicates growth a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. While some experts think that open concept layouts will be phased out in 2026, this opens opportunities for growth in the door market. “The growing preference for minimalist flush-panel swinging door designs is emerging as a key trend in the Interior…
Read MoreResidential Interior Wood Doors Market
The global residential interior wood doors market is set for steady growth over the next decade, increasing from USD 19.05 billion in 2025 to USD 26.87 billion by 2035 at a 3.5% CAGR. This expansion is being driven by advances in automation, digital design and sustainable material innovation, which are transforming how doors are produced and customized. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting CNC and robotic technologies to enhance precision, reduce waste and meet growing demand for personalized designs. The rise of digital design and customization platforms is also reshaping customer engagement…
Read MoreBuilding envelope market size
In 2024, the North America building envelope market size was valued at 35.24 billion. By 2034 growth is projected to reach 60.63 billion by 2034. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.58% from 2025 to 2034. High-performing envelopes are the most effective way to reduce the thermal needs of buildings.For both home builders and remodelers, building with high performance in mind is shifting from a luxury to a standard. Top products in the market include insulation materials, cladding systems and roofing systems. According to Precedence Research, “North…
Read MoreTariffs on kitchen cabinets and lumber begin
Talk on tariffs affecting materials across the construction industry has taken over the past few months. This discussion is now a reality. On Oct. 14, the additional 10% tariff on softwood lumber and timber imports took into effect. This increases the current tariffs on Canadian lumber to a total of 45%. While duties on wood products from the UK will not exceed 10% and imports from European Union and Japan will not exceed 15%. Currently, up to 85% of all U.S. lumber imports hail from Canada. New rates will apply to…
Read MoreStucco No Longer Most-Used Exterior Wall Material
For the first time since 2018, vinyl siding has reclaimed its spot as the most commonly used exterior wall material for new homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 Survey of Construction. Vinyl or vinyl-covered aluminum siding was used on 26% of homes started that year, edging out stucco at 25% and fiber cement at 23%. While vinyl’s market share has hovered around a quarter for the past decade, it once dominated at 40% in 2001 before declining in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, stucco’s popularity surged from 17% in 2010…
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