Bricks and tiles hold their prices as aggregates rise

The prices of aggregates, cement and concrete have continued to rise, according to the Department of Trade & Industry's latest figures.

From May to August the price of coated roadstone increased by 5.7 percentage points, while sand and gravel moved up 1.5 points. Crushed rock dipped between May and June, but in the following two months the price moved back up. The price of bricks was static, as was that of ceramic tiles.

Structural steel edged up, while the cost of doors and windows increased by a small margin.

One of the biggest risers over the four months was plasterboard, up 2.3 percentage points.

The price of copper pipes continued to fall to 73.4% of the 1995 price.