Price increases are evident across many construction materials in Germany.
According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on Wednesday, bitumen, which is petroleum-based and used in road construction and sealing roofs, buildings, and foundations, increased by 31.2 percent in May 2026 compared to May 2025. Likewise, energy-intensive building materials saw rises; for example, flat glass, typically used for windows, glass doors, or walls, increased by 15.4 percent over the same period.
Significant price escalations were also noted for wood products. Roof battens saw an 11.8 percent jump, construction lumber increased by 11.4 percent, and engineered solid lumber went up by 7.5 percent in May 2026 compared to one year prior.
Metals, whose production is also energy-intensive, rose by 11.1 percent in May 2026. Specific material increases included cold-rolled sheets (+9.9 percent), rebar/concrete steel rods (+5.0 percent), and pipes or hollow profiles made of iron or steel (+1.6 percent). Concrete reinforcing mats increased by 1.0 percent. Conversely, prices for strand steel slightly decreased by 0.3 percent, and white sheet metal dropped by 1.1 percent.
Furthermore, the costs for plastic construction necessities rose in May 2026. This includes window and door cladding (+3.5 percent), window shutters and blinds (+3.8 percent), and sanitary equipment such as bathtubs and showers (+3.2 percent).
Many mineral construction materials also experienced gains: lime and burned gypsum increased by 4.3 percent, building sand rose by 3.1 percent, fresh concrete climbed by 2.5 percent, and wall and floor tiles increased by 1.8 percent. Only roof tiles made from ceramic materials (+0.6 percent) and cement (+0.4 percent) saw minimal increases.
For comparison, the overall producer prices for manufactured goods rose by 2.2 percent in May 2026 compared to May 2025. Excluding energy prices, they rose by 2.3 percent in the same period.
Looking at medium-term trends, the price level for nearly all construction materials was higher in 2025 than it was before the 2022 energy crisis-with the exception of wood. Significant cost increases compared to 2021 were seen in mineral materials such as lime and burned gypsum (+77.3 percent), cement (+57.7 percent), building sand (+42.6 percent), and fresh concrete (+35.3 percent). Ceramic materials also saw considerable increases, with roof tiles up 42.4 percent and wall and floor tiles up 27.0 percent compared to 2021.
The average price of plastic construction goods also increased by 18.9 percent in 2025. Window shutters and blinds (+22.3 percent), bathtubs, showers, or washbasins (+21.0 percent), window and door claddings (+18.6 percent), and plastic floor/wall/ceiling coverings (+18.5 percent) were more expensive in 2025 than four years earlier. Flat glass, another energy-intensive material, saw a 20.5 percent price rise.
Interior finishing costs also rose in 2025. Fixtures (+27.7 percent), wallpaper (+27.3 percent), carpets and textile floor coverings (+26.0 percent), parquet floors (+24.4 percent), and paint colors (+21.5 percent) were more expensive than in 2021. Insulation and lightweight paneling, used in both new construction and energy-efficient renovations, increased by 21.4 percent during the same timeframe.
On average, metal prices increased by 14.3 percent in 2025 compared to 2021, although the trend was mixed. Pipes or hollow profiles made of iron or steel saw a strong increase of 31.9 percent. Strand steel prices rose moderately by 9.9 percent. Conversely, the prices for cold-rolled sheets (-14.6 percent), rebar/concrete steel rods (-13.0 percent), and white sheet metal (-4.5 percent) decreased significantly.
Medium-term price declines were observed for wood products: roof battens (-14.1 percent), engineered solid lumber (-13.2 percent), and construction lumber (-1.2 percent) were cheaper in 2025 than in 2021.
Overall, in 2025, the producer prices for manufactured goods rose by 26.2 percent compared to 2021. When energy prices are excluded, this growth was 19.6 percent.
