Double Digit Price Hikes For Wallboard In April

Coming off another record demand year in 2004, continued strength in the residential segment and significantly higher costs the major gypsum wallboard companies have announced another round of double digit price increases for April.

With the industry running at very high utilization rates, no decline in demand in the short term and continued cost pressures this spring price increase for gypsum wallboard is expected to stick at the manufacturer, dealer and contractor levels resulting in increased costs to builders and owners.

With the tight supplies experienced during the summer of 2004 for steel, insulation and gypsum, a recent memory the market concerns may once again focus on availability, instead of price, as we move into the traditionally strong building season.