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Super Flu: How Office Screens Help Reduce the Spread of Illnesses

How Office Screens Help Reduce the Spread of Illnesses and Super Flu In today’s workplaces, employee health is more important...
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Choosing the Right Tables for Your Hospitality Business

Selecting the right tables for your hospitality business is a decision that impacts far more than aesthetics. The right choice...
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Commercial & Hospitality Tables: The Ultimate Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Commercial & Hospitality Tables Choosing the right tables might seem simple, but in hospitality, it’s far...
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Reduce Staff Sick Days with Simple Workplace Protection

As temperatures drop, so does workplace productivity, not because of the weather, but because of seasonal illnesses like flu and...
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Introducing Our New Commercial & Hospitality Range

Introducing Our New Commercial & Hospitality Range We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new section on our website:...
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Understanding DIN Standards: What They Are and Why They Matter

When sourcing components and fittings, you might often see products described as “manufactured to DIN standards”. But what does that...
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How to Achieve Damp-Proofing Success with the Right Fixings and Spacers

Why Damp-Proofing Starts with the Right Components Moisture is the silent enemy in construction. Poor damp-proofing can lead to costly...
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5 Reasons Architects and Designers Love Concealed Sliding Doors

When it comes to creating sleek, contemporary interiors, every detail counts. That’s why more and more architects and interior designers...
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Nylon vs Polypropylene: Choosing the Right Material for Castor Wheels

When you look at a trolley, hospital bed, or warehouse dolly, chances are you’re also looking at castor wheels that...
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Why Trickle Vents Will Help You Prepare Your Home for Autumn & Winter

As autumn arrives and winter follows close behind, UK homes face a familiar challenge: condensation on windows, damp patches on...
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What are Plastic Packers and Why Every Builder Should Use Them

Whether you’re fitting a door frame, levelling a window, or aligning kitchen cabinets, precision matters. Enter the unsung hero of the trade world: plastic packers. If you’re still using bits of timber or scraps of cardboard to make things level, it’s time to upgrade.

Let’s break down what packers and shims are, why they’re better than traditional methods, and how they can save you time, money, and headaches on-site.

What Are Plastic Packers?

Plastic packers (also known as shims) are flat, solid inserts made from durable plastic used to level, space, or align components in construction and joinery. They come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and are often colour-coded by size, making them easy to identify and use quickly.

Where Are Packers and Shims Used?

Plastic packers are incredibly versatile. Common uses include:

  • Window and Door Installation – Ensuring perfect alignment and preventing future warping.
  • Flooring and Decking – Creating even surfaces and correcting minor height differences.
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Fitting – Levelling cabinets, countertops, and appliances.
  • Partition Walls & Cladding – Providing accurate spacing between fixings or panels.
  • Glazing Systems – Supporting glass panels safely and evenly.

 

Basically, anywhere alignment, spacing or load distribution is key, plastic packers are the ultimate solution.

Why Use Plastic Packers Instead of Timber or Cardboard?

Traditionally, many trades use wood offcuts, folded paper, or even coins to shim things into place. Here’s why packers are better in every way:

  1. Consistent thickness: Each packer is manufactured to precise tolerances (no guesswork or uneven results).
  2. Weather-resistant: Unlike timber or card, packers won’t swell, rot, or degrade over time. They’re ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
  3. High load capacity: Plastic packers are engineered to handle weight without compressing or breaking down under pressure.
  4. Colour coded sizes: No need to measure on-site – simply grab the right colour and go for smarter, faster working.
  5. Clean and professional: Packers give your work a clean finish and can even be left in place permanently without compromising integrity.

 

The BPF Plastic Packer Range: Built for Trade

Our new range of Flat Plastic Packers & Shims is designed with professionals in mind:

  • Multiple sizes and thicknesses (from 1mm to 10mm).
  • Colour-coded for quick and easy installations.
  • Supplied in trade packs, job-ready.
  • Weather resistant and rot-proof.

 

From general builders to glazing pros, we’ve got a packer for every purpose.

Plastic packers might be small, but their impact on your work is huge. They save you time, improve accuracy, and deliver professional results – without the hassle of DIY shimming hacks.