Shims for Construction and Building Applications
Structural Shim Solutions for Australian Sites
Whether you’re packing steel columns on a CBD tower, levelling precast panels on a commercial build, or setting heavy plant on a regional site, the shim has to be right. A fraction off and your alignment is out.
PP Shim supplies shims and packers for construction applications, manufactured to the tolerances your drawings call for, compliant with Australian building standards and delivered fast across the country. We work with structural engineers, steel fabricators, precast plants, site supervisors and commercial contractors. See the full range of industries we supply.
Why Construction Professionals Choose PP Shim
Site-Grade Materials
Shims manufactured from 316 stainless steel, mild steel, brass and heavy-duty plastics. Weather-resistant, load-bearing and suited to long-term external exposure on Australian sites.
Cut to Tolerance
We machine to tight dimensional tolerances so frames, slabs and base plates sit where your drawings say they should. No guesswork, no packing up on site with offcuts.
Bulk Supply for Large Projects
Infrastructure and commercial builds often need pallets of consistent, labelled shims. We supply bulk runs with traceable batch quality so site crews can install with confidence.
Custom Sizes & Specifications
Not every build is standard. We cut custom shims to your drawings, site measurements or engineered specifications – from one-off adjustments to large repeat orders.
Fast Delivery, Australia-Wide
Short lead times with reliable nationwide shipping. From inner-city commercial sites to remote regional projects, we keep your programme moving.
Where Shims Are Used on Construction Sites
Shims and packers solve alignment, spacing and load distribution problems across nearly every stage of a construction project. Typical site applications include:
- Structural Steel Alignment and Levelling: Steel shims and packers under columns, beams and brackets to bring bolted and welded joints into alignment. Critical for meeting AS 4100 steel structure tolerances.
- Precast Concrete Installation: Even load distribution under panels, plinths and slabs. Correct shimming ensures panels sit level and loads transfer evenly – essential for both safety and AS 3850 compliance.
- Door and Window Frame Fit-Outs: Packing frames plumb and square in both residential builds and large commercial fit-outs. Plastic shims commonly specified to avoid metal-on-frame contact and thermal bridging.
- Machinery and Plant Mounting: Levelling HVAC units, compressors, generators and heavy base plates on uneven or freshly poured surfaces. Stainless steel and brass shims specified where vibration and corrosion resistance are required.
- Temporary Site Adjustments: Spacers and packers for interim fixes, bracing corrections, and alignment holds until permanent work is completed.
For structural packing and levelling on site, our guide to installing packers and shims for support covers correct stacking and load transfer.
Types of Shims for Construction Applications
| Shim Type | Materials | Use Case | Features |
| Flat Precision Shims | Stainless steel, brass, plastic | Engine and gearbox spacing | Cut to size, supplied in bulk or kits |
| Slotted Shims | Stainless steel, mild steel | Fast install during repairs | Fits around bolts without full removal |
| Custom Cut Shims | Stainless steel, mild steel, plastic, brass | One-off builds, specific gaps | Cut to your specifications |
| Shim Kits | Mixed materials | Workshops, field service, race prep | Custom shim kits for common applications |
| Shim Type | Materials | Use Case | Features |
Compliance and Quality Assurance
Every shim we supply is manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management systems and aligns with key Australian construction standards:
- AS/NZS 5131: Structural steelwork: fabrication and erection
- AS 3850: Prefabricated concrete elements
- AS 4100: Steel structures
All shims are dimensionally checked before dispatch to ensure consistent sizing and material integrity across every batch. Whether the job is an inner-city commercial tower or a regional infrastructure project, the components we supply meet the standards your certifier expects to see.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are shims used for in construction?
Shims are thin, precision-cut components used to correct alignment, control spacing and distribute loads in structural assemblies. In construction, they are commonly specified for structural steelwork packing, precast concrete levelling, machinery mounting and door and window frame installation.
What tolerances can you achieve?
We cut to your drawings and site specifications, from heavy-gauge structural packers down to ultra-thin adjustments measured in fractions of a millimetre. If you have a specific tolerance requirement, include it with your enquiry, and we will confirm capability.
Do you supply bulk orders for large construction projects?
Yes. We regularly supply precast plants, steel fabricators, commercial contractors and infrastructure projects with bulk, labelled orders. Batches are produced to consistent quality standards for efficient site distribution.
Can you manufacture custom shims for construction?
Yes. Provide a drawing, specification or sample, and we will produce custom shims to suit your project requirements, including non-standard thicknesses, profiles and material combinations.
Are your products compliant with Australian building standards?
Yes, our shims are manufactured under ISO 9001 quality systems and align with AS/NZS 5131, AS 3850 and AS 4100. We supply components that meet the compliance requirements of the Australian construction industry.
Where can I buy structural shims in Australia?
Directly from PP Shim. We deliver nationwide with fast turnaround on both standard products and custom orders. Contact our team for a quote.
Testimonials
Order Shims for Construction Applications
Speak to our technical team about your shim requirements for site work. Whether you need steel shims for structural steelwork, plastic packers for frame fit-outs or custom-cut shims to your project specifications, we’ll confirm the right material, thickness and quantity for the job.