8 Uses for Plastic Wedge Shims

Plastic wedge shims are an important tool to have in any industrial or residential setting. They have many different applications, from glass installation to aligning stone. While many people think of a shim as a long piece of wood used around the home, plastic shims are much more sophisticated. They are stronger and more durable than wood and lighter than metal.

Features of Wedge Shims

There are various sizes and shapes of plastic shims, but wedge shims are the most familiar option. The tapered style allows the tradesperson to quickly level the object without needing a precise measurement for the shim.

Wedge Shim Styles

There are 2 basic styles – solid no hole wedge shims and bolt hole wedge shims.

1. The solid no hole shim is ideal for temporarily or permanently aligning dead loads.
2. Bolt hole shim style fits around 1/2” bolts, hinges, and more.

Both tapered plastic shim options are available with perforated sections that make it easy to break off the unused portion of the shim.

Uses for Plastic Wedge Shims

When compared to steel, construction grade plastic shims have several advantages. Polypropylene (PP), High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPs), and ABS are some of the most popular types of plastic used to create shims. Each has its own set of advantages, but all will provide construction-grade compression strength. Consider these benefits:

• Plastic is less expensive than steel.
• It is also much lighter.
• Does not conduct electricity.
• Will not corrode like metal.
• Easy to work with – can be cut to size with a knife or saw.
• Can also be nailed or screwed into place, making it ideal for temporary applications.

1. Glass Installation – When installing large commercial plate glass, plastic wedge shims need to handle the weight without crushing or damaging the edges of the glass. Glass needs to be leveled in 3 dimensions so a variety of shim styles and shapes will be needed. Choose from U-shaped to go around bolts and hinges as well as stackable options for incremental build up.
2. Industrial Applications – Tapered plastics shims are good for setting up heavy equipment and machinery for a short or permanent installation. They are perfect for aligning several units to one another as well as to other systems. Plastic shims that can be molded to fit around bolts are ideal for leveling and supporting different types of equipment and machinery.
3. Masonry Applications – Setting block, bricks, and other brittle materials, such as terracotta, requires that each row be level horizontally and vertically. Wedge shims are a great solution for aligning the rows while applying the mortar and waiting for it to dry.
4. Restoration Applications – A big part of restoration work is resetting support columns and beams to align with the original floor level. These beams are supporting tons of weight and wood shims will not last under a large load like this. Solid plastic shims won’t rot or compress, ensuring that the correct level is maintained for years to come.
5. Window and Door Installation – The most common need for plastic wedge shims occurs when installing windows and doors. The rough opening is usually about an inch larger that the actual frame and the components need to be stabilized with shims while being fastened. Tapered shims are perfect for this application as the space between the rough framing and door or window will vary along the entire length.
6. Scraping Needs – Shims are very versatile. With their solid construction, hard plastic shims can be used to scrape glue, caulk and other sticky substances off of your working surfaces. This can come in handy when you’re on a job and can’t find a putty knife!
7. Temporary Doorstops – Wedge shims are great for holding doors open while installing knobs, closers or other hardware. They can also be used to keep doors closed by using them under the door as a stop.
8. Temporarily Fix Wobbling – Everyone has sat on a chair that wobbled or leaned on a table that moved under your weight. Plastic wedge shims provide a quick solution to this problem.

We’ve Been Designing Plastic Shims Since 1974

Grove Shims is family-owned and operated and has a single focus: providing our customers with the highest quality solid plastic shims on the market. Our 100% American-made plastic shims qualify under the Buy American Act and are manufactured in our facility in Massachusetts. Browse our selection of plastic wedge shims, all other plastic shim options, or contact us today for a custom shim quote.