Construction input prices climbed 9.6% year over year in May, driven by rising energy costs and continued increases in steel, copper and other tariff-sensitive materials.
Construction material prices rose nearly 10% from a year ago as higher energy, steel and copper costs added pressure on contractors and project budgets.
The Copper Development Association is now accepting submissions from architects, designers, contractors, and other construction industry professionals for the 2026 North American Copper in Architecture Awards (NACIA).
The honored projects typically feature architectural copper and copper alloys used in roof systems, façades, and wall systems, as well as in custom-fabricated elements.
To attract and retain high-tech tenants to the Mountain View Corporate Center, the new owners invested in updating three buildings from concrete exteriors to a modern copper-colored metal panel façade.
Steel is the infrastructure of the duct fabrication industry, which is why it makes sense for us to keep an eagle eye on all the factors that influence its price and availability to duct manufacturers.
The Construction Defect Center says, "We are now urging US homebuilders to only buy US made copper or pex plumbing pipe for their new residential home or condominium projects."