Brick and Structural Clay Tile Price Trends: Estimator Quick-Reference
Estimators and commercial subcontractors tracking masonry assemblies, partition tile, and structural clay units need accurate baseline figures before submitting competitive bids. When commodity prices shift, relying on stale vendor estimates creates substantial margin risk on long-lead projects. The federal government tracks these material cost movements through wholesale price indices, giving contractors an objective metric for bidding assumptions, budget allowances, and contract escalation language.
Current PPI Benchmark for Brick and Structural Clay Tile
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index, the commodity series for Nonmetallic mineral products-Brick and structural clay tile (series WPU1342, with an index base period of December 1984 = 100) recorded a preliminary value of 272.8 (raw 272.819) in September 2026. This reading is not seasonally adjusted, and like all recent monthly figures reported by the agency, it remains subject to revision for four months after release.
Month-over-month movement remained flat, posting a +0.0% change between August 2026 and September 2026. Across an annual timeframe, the September 2026 reading of 272.8 is up +1.0% compared to the September 2025 level of 270.1 (raw 270.097). Over a two-year span, the index grew +2.7% relative to the September 2024 figure of 265.8 (raw 265.766).
Five-Year Trajectory and Historical Benchmarks
While recent monthly adjustments have been moderate, long-term shifts present a starker picture for multi-year project budgeting. The September 2026 index level of 272.8 represents a +26.3% rise over the September 2021 level of 216.0 (raw 216.027), recorded five years earlier. Compared to the pre-pandemic baseline of January 2020 at 202.9 (raw 202.900), prices have climbed +34.5%.
Across the ten-year data window spanning January 2016 through September 2026, the lowest monthly value stood at 191.0 (raw 191.000) in July 2016. The highest monthly value across the entire window was 272.8 (raw 272.819), first reached in August 2026. The latest September 2026 level stands at +0.0% versus that peak.
| Reference Period | Index Level | Change to Latest (Sept 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 (Latest preliminary) | 272.8 | 0.0% |
| August 2026 (Window High) | 272.8 | +0.0% |
| September 2025 (One Year Earlier) | 270.1 | +1.0% |
| September 2021 (Five Years Earlier) | 216.0 | +26.3% |
| January 2020 (Pre-Pandemic Baseline) | 202.9 | +34.5% |
Annual Averages and the 13-Month Pattern
Annual averages calculated from the monthly numbers illustrate the steady climb across previous building cycles:
- 2016: 191.7
- 2017: 194.2
- 2018: 197.9
- 2019: 200.9
- 2020: 205.4
- 2021: 215.1
- 2022: 235.1
- 2023: 252.6
- 2024: 264.2
- 2025: 269.3
- 2026 (January through September only): 272.4
The monthly trend over the last 13 months reveals consistent pricing stability. From September 2025 through December 2025, the index held completely steady at 270.1 across each of those four months. At the start of the year, values rose to 271.9 in January 2026, 272.2 in February 2026, and 272.4 in March 2026. The series then plateaued at 272.6 through April 2026, May 2026, and June 2026, followed by a slight decline to 272.0 in July 2026, before reaching 272.8 in August 2026 and maintaining 272.8 in September 2026.
Applying Official Index Data to Proposals and Contracts
Because structural clay and masonry products require fixed lead times from regional distributors, estimators should anchor long-term contract pricing to verifiable benchmarks. You can reference published series like the BLS PPI commodity series WPU1342 to set transparent trigger mechanisms in escalation clauses.
When drafting subcontractor proposals, clearly establish the bid date index value as your baseline within your bid exclusions and clarifications. In the event procurement takes place several months after bid day, an index-tied clause establishes an objective framework for adjustments rather than relying on unilateral supplier notifications. If site conditions delay installation or scope changes require revised buyouts, estimators can point to the index history when pricing change orders for masonry wall infill or structural tile assemblies.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index commodity data, series WPU1342
Published October 28, 2026. No affiliate links on this page. Facts come from the sources linked above; check them for updates.