Construction material prices drop slightly in April, extending the decline

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

LEED certification of the Lutron facility was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include: optimization of energy performance through the use of lighting power, lighting controls and HVAC, plus the use of daylight.

| Dec 12, 2011

CRSI design awards deadline extended to December 31

The final deadline is extended until December 31st, with judging shortly thereafter at the World of Concrete.

| Dec 10, 2011

10 Great Solutions

The editors of Building Design+Construction present 10 “Great Solutions” that highlight innovative technology and products that can be used to address some of the many problems Building Teams face in their day-to-day work. Readers are encouraged to submit entries for Great Solutions; if we use yours, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate. Look for more Great Solutions in 2012 at: www.bdcnetwork.com/greatsolutions/2012.

Rainscreen system installed at the west building envelope expansion of the University of Arizona’s Meinel Optical Sciences Center in Tucson, with its folded glass wall and copper-paneled, breathable cladding over precast concrete.

| Dec 10, 2011

Energy performance starts at the building envelope

Rainscreen system installed at the west building expansion of the University of Arizona’s Meinel Optical Sciences Center in Tucson, with its folded glass wall and copper-paneled, breathable cladding over precast concrete.