Shim
A shim is a thin piece of material used to level, align, space, or support building components during installation.
What is a Shim?
A shim is a small tapered or flat piece of material inserted behind or beneath a building component to adjust its position.
Shims are commonly used to make doors, windows, cabinets, framing members, and finish materials plumb, level, and properly supported.
Common Uses for Shims
- Leveling door and window units
- Aligning cabinets and trim
- Adjusting framing irregularities
- Supporting fixtures during installation
Common Shim Materials
- Wood shims
- Plastic shims
- Composite shims
- Metal shims in specialty applications
Why Shims Matter
Improve fit: They help compensate for uneven framing or surfaces.
Support loads correctly: Proper shimming prevents twisting, stress, and movement.
Improve finish quality: Straight, aligned installations look better and function better.
Common Mistakes
Using too many shims loosely: Stacked or unsecured shims can shift over time.
Shimming in the wrong locations: Critical load points need proper support.
Leaving excessive gaps: Large corrections may signal a bigger framing or layout problem.
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