Steel Tariffs in 2025: What They Mean for Your Building—and How Armstrong Is Protecting Your Investment

At Armstrong Steel, we know that a metal building is more than just a structure—it’s a strategic investment. Whether you’re constructing a commercial warehouse, a personal workshop, or a multi-use facility, budget predictability and timeline clarity are non-negotiable. But in 2025, steel tariffs are rewriting the rules.

The U.S. government’s new 25% tariff on global steel imports and 20% tariff on products from China has sent ripples across the construction industry. These changes are driving up raw material prices, limiting supply options, and introducing new challenges for project planners and buyers. In an already stretched construction environment, the ability to navigate these obstacles is the difference between success and stagnation.

Steel plays an integral role in almost every phase of a building’s lifecycle—from framing and roofing to secondary components and structural reinforcements. A sudden increase in cost or disruption in availability can have an outsized impact not just on upfront costs but also on long-term project viability. These challenges affect small businesses, municipalities, and individual landowners alike.

Armstrong Steel is helping our customers adapt and thrive—without sacrificing quality, clarity, or control.

Understanding the Economic Context Behind the Tariffs

The intent behind these tariffs is clear: protect domestic production and penalize foreign exporters engaging in price dumping. But the consequences are unavoidable. The United States remains one of the largest consumers of steel globally, importing over 20 million metric tons per year. When you layer new tariffs over this dependency, the outcome is inevitable—higher prices, limited availability, and longer delivery windows.

Steel is a globally traded commodity, and its pricing is subject to supply-demand dynamics, trade policy shifts, and macroeconomic factors. These tariffs effectively alter the baseline price for steel across all domestic and imported sources. Even U.S. mills raise prices in response to tariff coverage because they know competition is being restricted.

And these tariffs aren’t isolated. They’re part of a broader trade environment affected by geopolitical tensions, inflation, labor shortages, and climate-related disruptions. Builders who haven’t adjusted their strategies are feeling the pinch—and in some cases, postponing or canceling projects due to uncertainty.

Real Impacts on Your Building Project

Here’s what builders are experiencing across the country:

Shortened quote validity: Material quotes that used to be valid for 30 days are now good for less than a week in some cases. This compresses the decision-making window and creates urgency that not all customers are prepared for.

Escalating prices: We’ve observed back-to-back pricing hikes of 10–12%, with more likely if geopolitical conditions persist. When those increases apply to base steel, every downstream component—from trusses to trim—is affected.

Material shortages: Lead times have extended from 4–6 weeks to 10+ weeks for certain components. For some specialty items like coated panels or custom cuts, delays are even longer.

Coil coating inflation: Key coatings for corrosion resistance and aesthetics are also rising in cost due to increased raw material pricing. This affects the long-term appearance and durability of buildings, especially those exposed to harsh environments.

Volatile freight costs: With fuel surcharges increasing and driver shortages ongoing, transportation costs are a hidden—but rising—component of total build pricing. These often show up late in the process and can blow up a budget if not accounted for early.

If your project relies on steel—structural I-beams, roof panels, or secondary framing—you’re exposed to these fluctuations. The key is to plan around them intelligently.

How Armstrong Steel Keeps You Competitive in a Volatile Market

While some companies simply pass costs down the line, Armstrong Steel acts as a shield for your investment. Here’s how:

Strategic Design Support

We don’t just quote buildings—we design smarter ones. Our experts help optimize every element of your design, from roof slope to bay spacing, to reduce unnecessary steel use. Less material waste means more cost savings without compromising integrity. You still get the structure you need—just with a leaner, more intelligent configuration.

Transparent Pricing & Planning

There’s no bait-and-switch. We present full pricing with clear breakdowns so you understand what you’re buying, why it costs what it does, and where your options are. If you want to adjust scope, we’ll show you what that means in dollars and days. Our goal is to eliminate surprises and equip you to make strategic trade-offs.

Nationwide Logistics Partnerships

Our long-term vendor relationships allow us to secure materials faster and more reliably than competitors scrambling for short-term fixes. That means fewer supply surprises and tighter delivery estimates. We track trends and availability at the supplier level and adjust recommendations accordingly—before a problem affects your project.

Direct-Buy Advantage

As a direct supplier, Armstrong Steel eliminates intermediaries. You buy from the source—not a broker. This simplifies logistics and gives us more control over pricing accuracy and lead time. It also means you’re working with a company accountable for both the quality and the timeline of your building—not just someone marking up a manufacturer’s quote.

Key Trends to Watch in 2025

The steel tariffs are just one piece of the puzzle. Here are other major trends influencing costs and timelines this year:

Inflationary pressure: Energy, fuel, and freight costs remain high, driving up delivery and installation pricing.

Labor shortages: Skilled labor continues to lag demand, stretching timelines further and inflating on-site costs.

Sustainability mandates: Green building standards are evolving. This may introduce new material or process requirements, particularly for institutional and commercial builds.

Domestic mill limitations: U.S.-based steel mills are expanding production to meet demand but face labor, cost, and capacity constraints.

Insurance and compliance: Changes in fire ratings, hurricane requirements, and energy codes across many states are creating unexpected design and permitting delays.

The takeaway? Stability is rare. Flexibility and foresight are essential.

How to Protect Your Budget and Schedule in 2025

Here’s how you can future-proof your project:

Start Now: The longer you wait, the higher the likelihood of cost increases or delay. Lock in your design, order, and materials while availability and pricing allow.

Choose Simpler Designs: Clean lines, lower roof pitches, and fewer internal supports reduce complexity and material use.

Work With Pros Who Understand the Market: At Armstrong, our consultants aren’t order takers—they’re strategic partners. We help you balance aesthetics, function, and cost like a true builder should.

Use Phased Builds or Hybrid Materials: Some customers are phasing construction or using concrete, composite, or recycled steel in less structural areas to ease total cost.

Budget with Buffers: Include contingency plans and escalation clauses in your contracts. We’ll help you understand what that means and why it protects your timeline and finances.

Plan with permitting in mind: If you’re building in a regulated zone, secure permits early. Steel lead times mean that delays on either end compound fast.

Armstrong Customers Are Still Building—And Winning

Despite tariffs and inflation, thousands of Armstrong customers are proceeding with confidence. Why? Because they’re not building blindly.

They’re leveraging Armstrong’s support systems, financing guidance, flexible build plans, and deep steel market knowledge. From warehouse expansions to storage facilities, worship centers to agricultural builds, these clients are staying ahead—not getting left behind.

We’ve helped customers complete projects that other vendors said were “too late to start” or “too expensive to finish.” That’s the Armstrong difference—proactive planning, custom design, and relentless follow-through.

Why Armstrong Steel Is Still the Smartest Choice

Let’s be clear: price is important—but predictability, expertise, and integrity matter more. Armstrong Steel combines all three.

Our warranties are industry-leading. Our I-beam framing, pre-galvanized secondary members, and 26-gauge panels are designed for decades of performance. Our commitment to transparency gives you clarity from day one.

We’re not guessing—we’re forecasting. We’re not pushing—we’re advising. We don’t vanish after delivery—we stay engaged until your structure is standing tall.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Don’t let steel tariffs derail your vision. Armstrong Steel is ready to help you design smarter, plan confidently, and build without compromise.

Call 1-800-345-4610 or start your custom quote here. We’ll walk you through the process, answer your questions, and show you exactly what it takes to protect your investment.

Let’s build it right—starting now.