By Nick St. Denis

The value of glazing contractor work in the U.S. was stronger in November 2019 than the same month a year before, according to Key Media & Research (KMR).

Nonresidential construction increased 5.1% in November 2019 compared to November 2018, even as construction decreased by 0.3% from September 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. When adjusted with KMR’s industry-focused models, the value of nonresidential glass- and glazing-related activity ticked up by 3.6% year-over-year, despite a 0.6% dip on a monthly basis.

When factoring in multifamily construction, glass and glazing activity increased just 0.9% for the year and edged down 1.3% for the month.

Commercial Glazing Activity

Contract glaziers witnessed a 1.9% increase in the value of work from November 2018 to November 2019, a reversal from last month’s negative year-over-year report. However, commercial activity again decreased 1% from September to November.

The office segment jumped 8.2% year-over-year and was flat on a monthly basis, while lodging saw a yearly increase of 0.7% and a month-over-month decline of 3.5%. The other major glass-relevant “commercial” subsector, which includes retail, declined yearly and monthly by 4.3% and 1%, respectively.

Institutional Glazing Activity

Institutional building showed more positivity. Glazing contractors saw an uptick of 5.7% in this type of work in November 2019 compared to November 2018 and a slight dip of 0.2% from a month ago.

The largest subsector in this category, educational building, increased 7.2% for the year and decreased 0.4% for the month. Healthcare, the second most relevant institutional segment to the glass and glazing industry, saw a yearly increase of 5.1% and a monthly decline of 0.1%.

Industry Employment

Employment in the industry continues to increase, as has been the general trend for much of the past decade. Nonresidential specialty trade contractors, which include glaziers and ironworkers, saw a 3.2% increase in employment in December from a year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Average hourly earnings in construction are up 2.3% from the same time last year.