Horseshoe Shims vs U-Shaped Shims: The Grove Shims Difference

Plastic U-shaped shims and plastic horseshoe shims have a variety of uses, especially for installing glass, precast and tilt-up, and curtain wall systems.

Our competitors tend to use the terms “u-shaped” and “horseshoe” interchangeably. But at Grove Shims, there’s a clear difference between the two types of shims.

Since the only thing we manufacture is plastic shims, we take pride in producing them in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials. We consider ourselves the number one expert on shims! Read on to find out more about the Grove Shims difference between plastic U-shaped and horseshoe shims.

What Do Plastic U-Shaped Shims Look Like?

A plastic U-shaped shim looks just like the letter “U” on its interior and exterior curves. The curved edge gives you more flexibility in alignment without protruding corners.

We make the u-shaped shim in four different sizes:

• The 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” and the 1-1/2” x 3-1/2” sizes fit 1/2″ bolt holes.
• The 1-7/8” x 2-5/8” size fits a 5/8” bolt hole.
• The 2-5/16” x 3” size fits a 13/16” bolt hole.

Plastic U-shaped shims are available in seven different thicknesses.

How Are Plastic Horseshoe Shims Different?

The plastic horseshoe shim features an interior curve like the u-shaped shim. However, its outer edges are straight with 90-degree corners. The flat outer edges make it ideal for fitting against a flat surface.

We manufacture the plastic horseshoe shim in two sizes:

• The 3” x 4” size fits a 7/8” bolt hole.
• The 4” x 6” size fits a 3/4″ bolt hole.

Plastic horseshoe shims are available in nine different thicknesses.

What Features Do U-Shaped Shims and Horseshoe Shims Share?

Both types of plastic shims are available in several different thicknesses and both the U-shaped and horseshoe shims are color-coded according to their thickness.

Another feature these plastic shims share is that they’re made of the same materials: polypropylene (PP), high-impact polystyrene (HIPs), and ABS.

For smaller projects, you can order both types of shims by the case. Or, for large-scale projects, you can order a pallet containing multiple cases.

We Want to be Your Shim Specialist

Whether your projects require temporary or permanent shim applications, the quality and construction of our plastic shims ensure your installations are precise and long-lasting. You can request a quote for our plastic shims.

If neither the plastic U-shaped shims nor plastic horseshoe shims will work for your project, we can make custom plastic shims that exactly fit your needs! For more information and a custom quote, see our Custom Plastic Shims page.