All categories
Business & Offices
Electronics & Media
Fashion & Accessories
Groceries & Essentials
Health & Personal Care
Home & Living
Kids & Family
Sports & Outdoors
Search in ZoneOffer
Masonry consumables are the small but mighty parts that hold your projects together — wall plugs, masonry screws, anchors, and items like concrete inspection pits. They don’t look glamorous, yet pick the wrong plug or fastener and a shelf, light or garden structure can pull away from the wall. Think of them as the heart and bones of any brick, block, or concrete job: invisible, essential, and worth choosing carefully.
Have you ever hung a mirror and watched it slowly tilt? That’s a lesson in choosing the right fixing. Masonry substrates vary — soft brick behaves differently to dense concrete — and each requires a specific plug and screw combination for a safe, long-lasting hold. The right fixings protect your walls, avoid damage, and save time and money in the long run. It’s similar to picking the right shoe for a hike: the wrong shoe leads to blisters and blunders.
Expert Electrical is a UK retailer known for handy trade-friendly packs and journeyman-focused kits. Among their masonry consumables the Unicrimp range is commonly chosen by tradespeople for reliability and value. If you’re buying in bulk for a job or just stocking a DIY box, their tubs and tradesman packs make fast work of restocking.
One popular kit combines Unicrimp wall plugs with 8x1.5 countersunk screws — roughly a 5/16 inch by 1/16 inch screw size in imperial terms. Sold in tradesman tubs, these packs are ideal for repetitive tasks like fitting skirting, fixing brackets, or hanging medium-weight items. The plug design grips into brick and mortar, while the countersunk head of the screw sits flush for a neat finish.
Brown plugs are often used for general-purpose fastening in masonry. The Unicrimp brown plugs and screws tub is a sensible, cost-effective choice for small renovation projects and repair jobs. They’re versatile, easy to install, and come in sizes suited to common household and garden fixtures. Think of them as the everyday staple — like the reliable pair of pliers you reach for again and again.
Concrete inspection pits are used in drainage and siteworks to provide access for inspection and maintenance. The Unicrimp concrete inspection pit is a pre-formed solution that speeds up installation on projects requiring routine access under slabs or paved areas. For anyone doing groundwork or utility runs, having a purpose-made pit can make life much simpler than improvising with less reliable materials.
Nordre Nest isn’t a traditional masonry supplier — it sits at the homes and interiors end of the market. Yet its mention reminds us that home stores and specialist retailers sometimes overlap: you’ll buy textiles, decor and lighting at one place, and the fixtures to hang them at another. If you’re finishing a room after structural work, combining purchases from both types of stores keeps the project cohesive.
Nordic Nest stocks designer items like the Ferm Living Aires bedspread, which measures roughly 94.5 inches by 98.4 inches. While not a masonry consumable, it highlights the final stage of a build or refresh — the styling. After you’ve fixed shelves or hung wall art with the right plugs and screws, that bedspread or a statement cushion ties the room together. It’s the difference between a finished house and a finished home.
Beyond Expert Electrical, the UK market is full of well-known suppliers that cater to both tradespeople and DIYers. Each retailer has strengths — some focus on bulk trade packs, others on same-day availability or competitive pricing. Knowing which store suits your needs can shave hours off sourcing and cut costs.
Screwfix is a go-to for tradespeople who need fast availability and a wide selection. You’ll find branded masonry anchors, chemical anchors, and specialist masonry screws alongside budget white-label ranges. Their click-and-collect service is handy if you need fixings the same day, and trade packs are available for common sizes so you don’t run out mid-job.
Wickes sits comfortably between retail and trade, offering a good selection of masonry consumables at competitive prices. Their range often includes chemical adhesives, anchor bolts, cavity fixings, and accessory kits tailored to common DIY tasks. If you’re renovating a garden wall or anchoring a decking post, Wickes is worth checking for bundled materials and clear product guidance.
B&Q is familiar to every DIYer and provides an extensive inventory of wall plugs, screws, and anchors. Their house brand options are usually wallet-friendly and suitable for light to medium loads. For homeowners tackling smaller jobs, B&Q combines product range with accessible advice, making it easier to choose the right fixing without getting overwhelmed by technical jargon.
Toolstation, Jewson, and Travis Perkins are trusted by the building trade. Toolstation offers a strong blend of tools and consumables, while Jewson and Travis Perkins are specialist builders’ merchants with a wider selection of structural anchors, resin systems, and site accessories. For commercial jobs or heavy-duty projects, these merchants stock the heavy hitters you’ll need.
Choosing the right fixing is half science, half common sense. Start by assessing the substrate: is it soft brick, hollow block, dense concrete, or plasterboard-lined masonry? Then pick a plug material suitable for the load and environment. Plastic plugs are fine for light indoor loads; nylon variants offer better grip, while metal or resin anchors suit heavy or vibration-prone applications. Always match screw length so at least an inch or two — depending on load — is embedded in the substrate for a secure hold.
Load capacity depends on the plug type, screw size, and substrate. For example, a standard plastic plug in soft brick might safely hold a few pounds for a lightweight shelf, but the same plug in dense concrete could hold many times that. When in doubt, upsize the plug and screw, or use specialist anchors designed for heavy loads. Remember: over-speccing is cheaper than repairing a fallen fixture.
A few solid tools transform a fiddly job into a neat one. A rotary hammer or combi drill with a masonry bit makes all the difference when drilling into brick or concrete. Use a depth stop or tape on the bit to avoid over-drilling, and always clear dust from the hole before inserting the plug — a small pump or a can of compressed air works wonders. For anchors that use resin, mix to manufacturer instructions and allow the correct cure time before loading.
Concrete inspection pits must be level, well-supported, and correctly sealed against water ingress depending on location. Start with a compacted sub-base, position the pit and check alignment, then backfill and compact around the unit to prevent settlement. If the pit sits under foot traffic, consider reinforcing the surrounding slab. Using a pre-formed product like the Unicrimp pit speeds installation versus cast-in-place alternatives and reduces site labour.
Match the plug to the substrate, don’t overtighten screws until the head crushes the plug, and avoid reusing old holes without repairing or expanding them correctly. A loose plug is like a loose tooth — it wobbles until something gives. Use fresh plugs for a clean, secure connection and upgrade to mechanical or chemical anchors for heavy-duty fixes.
Buying in bulk often gives the best value, especially for common sizes such as 3/8 inch or 1/4 inch anchors and accompanying screws. Look for tradesman tubs and multipacks at stores like Expert Electrical, Screwfix, or Toolstation. Also, check seasonal promotions and compare unit prices — a larger tub might be cheaper per plug than lots of small packs. Finally, avoid false economy: cheap plastic that crumbles under load ends up costing more in repairs and lost items.
Comparison sites and customer reviews are invaluable. They allow you to cross-check brand reputation, see real-world feedback, and find the best unit price across retailers. Use comparison tools to filter by package size, intended use, and load rating. Remember to check both professional reviews and user photos — they tell different parts of the story.
On many projects you’ll mix purchases: functional masonry consumables from trade retailers and finishing touches from lifestyle stores like Nordic Nest. Plan so the timing lines up — get structural fixings first, then complete interiors once anchors and frames are secure. This approach prevents damage to soft furnishings and ensures that your décor looks its best on a stable foundation.
Work safely: eye protection, dust masks and ear protection are essential when drilling. Choose corrosion-resistant anchors (stainless or galvanized) for outdoor or humid environments to avoid rust stains and failure. For sustainability, some brands offer recycled-material plugs and packaging reduction schemes; buying quality and durable fixings reduces waste compared to replacing cheap, failing parts.
Make a list: substrate type, load requirements in pounds, hole diameter needed in inches, screw length required in inches, and the quantity. Bring a small sample or a photo to the store if you’re unsure — staff at trade suppliers are often very helpful. If buying online, double-check product specifications and confirm the pack size to avoid surprises when your order arrives.
Masonry consumables are small parts with a big role. From Unicrimp tubs at Expert Electrical to multi-pack options at Screwfix, B&Q, Wickes and Toolstation, there’s a product and price point for every project. Choose the right plug and screw for the substrate, use the correct tools, and don’t be shy about investing a little more for quality on critical fixings. With the right choices you’ll save time, avoid messy repairs, and finish your project with confidence — like building on bedrock instead of quicksand.
| Masonry Consumables | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Unicrimp Wall Plugs And 8x1.5 Countersunk Screws Tradesman Tub | £ 20,88 | |
| Unicrimp Brown Plugs And Screws Tub | £ 32,58 | |
| Ferm Living Aires Bed Spread 240x250 Cm Stone | £ 125,- |
