Dunnage in Construction: Practical Support Where It Matters
In construction, dunnage is one of those things everyone uses but not everyone thinks about until something goes wrong. It’s the timber, rubber, or composite material placed under, between, or around loads to keep materials stable, protected, and accessible. Simple in concept, critical in practice.
On construction sites across Australia and New Zealand, dunnage plays a quiet but essential role in safety, efficiency, and material preservation. Whether you’re storing steel, precast elements, formwork, pipes, or palletised building products, the right dunnage choice can prevent damage, reduce handling risk, and keep workflows moving.
What dunnage is used for on construction sites
Dunnage in construction serves several practical purposes, often at the same time:
- Load support – keeping materials off the ground to avoid moisture damage, corrosion, or deformation
- Stability – preventing rolling, sliding, or settling of heavy or irregular loads
- Protection – creating separation between materials to avoid edge damage, abrasion, or crushing
- Access – allowing forklift tines, slings, or crane hooks to engage safely and consistently
Unlike warehouse environments, construction sites are dynamic. Ground conditions change, weather is unpredictable, and materials are constantly moved. That makes dunnage selection more important, not less.
Common types of dunnage used in construction
Different materials demand different dunnage solutions. The most common types used on sites include:
Timber dunnage
Still widely used due to availability and familiarity. Solid timber blocks or sleepers are often used for temporary support of steel, formwork, and concrete products. However, timber can split, compress, absorb moisture, and degrade over time, especially outdoors.
LVL and engineered wood dunnage
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) offers more consistent strength and dimensional stability than solid timber. In construction, it’s often used where loads are heavy, repeatable, or stored for longer periods. Rubber-lined LVL adds friction, reducing slip on smooth surfaces.
Rubber dunnage and mats
Used where vibration control and high friction are required. Rubber dunnage is common under precast elements, steel packs, and machinery. It resists moisture and provides grip, but needs correct hardness and support to avoid creep under sustained load.
Composite and specialty dunnage
In higher-risk or repetitive applications, composite blocks or steel-backed rubber dunnage are used. These provide predictable performance and longer service life, particularly for heavy materials.
Where dunnage is typically used in construction
You’ll find dunnage in almost every stage of a build:
- Steel storage – beams, columns, mesh, and sheet packs stored on dunnage to prevent ground contact and twisting
- Precast concrete – panels, pipes, and culverts supported to maintain alignment and prevent chipping
- Formwork and scaffolding – stacked safely to reduce movement and allow clean lifting points
- Timber and framing materials – kept straight, dry, and accessible
- On-site logistics zones – stabilising palletised materials awaiting installation