CLT Rig Mats Outperform Traditional Steel Framed Rig Mats; Here’s How!

Mar 21, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Are you looking for a rig mat that can outlast and outperform traditional steel-framed rig mats? If so, GFI Solutions has the access solutions you need! From access bridges and matting to mat washing, delivery, installation, rentals and sales, GFI Solutions is your one-stop shop for access solutions and services. In particular, our offering of Site Safe CLT rig mats is incredibly durable and high-performing compared to traditional rig mats. Continue reading to learn more about how CLT rig mats compare to traditional mats!

How are Rig Mats Different from Access Mats?

When it comes to access solutions, access mats and rig mats are two different types of access solutions. Access mats are 8′ x 14′ and are manufactured using 3-plys of 2′ x 8′ lumber which is either bolted together or cross-laminated to one another. Rig mats are an access solution explicitly manufactured and used to transfer and manage heavy loads. Traditional steel frame rig mats come in two common sizes, 8′ x 20′ and 8′ x 40′. Traditional rig mats are manufactured using a 3 or 4-rail steel frame configuration with cross beams. This creates pockets which are filled with timbers. CLT Rig mats from GFI Solutions are manufactured using five perpendicular cross layers of solid wood, eliminating the need for a steel frame. Like other access solutions, Rig mats provide your workers and equipment a safe way of operating in your project’s remote site regardless of the environment. GFI Solutions has both traditional rig mats and access mats, along with CLT access and rig mats in our fleet, available for rental or sale.

Comparing CLT and Traditional Steel Frame Rig Mats

Traditional steel frame rig mats are common access solutions for many projects; however, lighter, more cost-effective options are available on the market. Site Safe Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats are an industry-leading product for a good reason! They’re manufactured through an innovative and environmentally sustainable process, which allows these CLT rig mats to outperform the competition. Below are a few ways CLT rig mats stand out from the competition:

Made from sustainably sourced Southern Yellow Pine which is 33% harder than Douglas Fir.
Adhered with eco-friendly adhesive, all four edges are sealed with a wax solution repelling moisture.
Greater flexibility to withstand heavy loads and conform to uneven ground.
Lighter weight means you can transport more mats per load.
Lighter weight makes them easier to install and move around your job site.

With all these benefits and more, CLT rig mats are a great option when you need access solutions that can withstand the heaviest loads. Our team of access solution experts can help you determine the optimal number of CLT rig mats for your project. In addition, GFI Solutions also offers a range of turn-key solutions, so our team can assist you with your access solutions from the start of your project to the end. We are available 24/7 to support you with your CLT and traditional rig mat and access solution questions. Feel free to reach out anytime; GFI Solutions is here to help!

Rig Mats, Access Solutions, and More!

In addition to our access matting and bridge inventory, GFI Solutions provides various value-adding services like mat inventory management, delivery, rentals and more. When you need high-quality access solutions, let the team at GFI Solutions assist you in finding the right solution for your project. Contact us today to learn more about our CLT rig mats, other access solutions, or services!

GFI Solutions: Alberta’s Leading Source For Access Mats

Mar 2, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Are you looking for site-safe access matting solutions that can withstand Alberta’s harsh winters? Look no further! GFI Solutions is proud to provide reliable and safe access matting solutions to many clients across Alberta to help them find mats and services suitable for all their access matting needs. Whether you’re working in the drilling, construction, mining or oil and gas industry, GFI Solutions will make sure that you find the safest and most efficient access matting solutions for your projects’ needs.

One of our most reliable access matting products is our Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, which have proven to be sturdy and long-lasting, no matter the project or terrain. Learn more about the benefits of our innovative CLT access solutions below!

Quality You Can Trust

As a manufacturer and supplier of access mats, GFI Solutions offers industrial clients across Alberta innovative and durable access mats suitable for all terrain. Our CLT access mats are built to withstand Alberta’s rough and uneven terrain. We have engineered our Site Safe Access 300 and 500 CLT mats to hold heavy machinery and loads without breaking or damaging your equipment or compromising the surrounding environment. You can trust our CLT access mats, rig mats and crane mats to support your equipment and workers in all remote projects.

Robust Products

While traditional bolted mats have been the standard access mats used in Alberta in the past, CLT mats have grown substantially in popularity. Unlike traditional bolted mats, CLT access mats are newer, better, and more robust. GFI solutions manufacture CLT mats using layers of Southern Yellow Pine Fibre instead of traditional Douglas Fir. Not only is Southern Yellow Pine Fibre more sustainable than Douglas Fir, but it is also 30% harder. If you’re looking for access mats in Alberta that can withstand heavy loads with ease, CLT access mats are the way to go.

Long-Lasting Access Mats

One of the most important benefits of GFI Solutions’ access mats is that they are manufactured using our innovative process of Cross Laminated Timber. Instead of using steel bolts to build the access mats, CLT mats use an environmentally safe adhesive to bond the wooden planks together. While bolted mats only transfer the weight of the equipment and machinery onto the steel bolts, CLT mats are engineered to transfer the weight evenly throughout the access mat. This innovative process decreases the possibility of early damage and allows the mat to last longer than traditional bolted mats. The adhesive also provides a moisture barrier with each layer of wood in CLT mats and protects them from eventual decay and rot.

Looking for CLT Access Mats in Alberta?

GFI Solutions is Alberta’s leading manufacturer and supplier of CLT mats! We offer a wide range of access mating products and services suitable for all your matting needs! For more information, contact our 24/7 customer support service today!

Access Mat Sales and More!

Mar 2, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Access mats are widely used across industrial projects in Canada to overcome difficult terrain. Remote worksites face many challenges and require access solutions to safely and efficiently transport materials to and from the worksite as needed. GFI Solutions is proud to be Canada’s leading source for access mat sales, rental and many other matting solutions to ensure the safety and efficiency of your project. We have partnered with hundreds of clients across Canada to provide them with site-safe access solutions for projects in the oil & gas, drilling, construction, refinery, renewable energy, power industry and more! Read on to learn more about our access products and solutions!

Access Mat Sales and Rental

At GFI Solutions, we manufacture and supply both traditional bolted mats and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats to clients throughout Western Canada. Each and every product is engineered and tested to ensure that they meet the requirements of the job, no matter the challenges. Our aim is to ensure that every mat performs optimally throughout the scope of your project. Our extensive inventory of access mats for sale or rental includes the following:

Rig Mats
Crane Mats
Worksite Access Mats
Temporary Access Bridges
Swamp Mats
And more!

With our line of CLT mats, you can rent or buy the following mats for your next project:

Site Safe Access 500 CLT Mat

Engineered for heavy-duty machinery and trucks
Support drilling equipment and platforms
Offer excellent ground protection and can be used as a bridge decking
Suitable for pipeline projects, work pads for cranes, protecting wetlands and more!
4’ wide x 16’ or 18’ long

Site Safe Access 300 CLT Mat

Engineered for temporary access roads
Supports drilling equipment and platforms
Offers safe and efficient makeshift roads for machines and workers
It can be used as bridge decking and general ground protection
8’ wide x 14’ or 16’ long

Solutions and Services:

When it comes to access solutions, GFI goes over and beyond to ensure that your project does not undergo any delay. We provide all our partners with the following solutions to keep their projects on schedule:

Inventory Management
Mat Washing
Turn-Key Services
Manufacturing
Delivering and Installation
Planning and Consultation

Our top priority is our partner satisfaction. We work closely with all our clients to offer them fast access to the products they need most and offer 24/7 customer service to ensure that all their access needs are met as soon as possible.

Avoid Project Delays with GFI Solutions

Waiting for access mats to arrive or pending installation can cause costly and time-consuming delays. With GFI Solutions, you can rest assured that our team is always available for your access needs 24/7. You can count on us to provide you with the products and services you need with no hassle and no headaches.

Contact our team to learn more about our access mat sales, rental and other access solutions today!

How GFI Can Help Your Project With Temporary Bridge Solutions

Feb 22, 2023 | News

As a project manager or a contractor, the safety of the equipment and the crew is your number one priority. Managing an industrial project in a remote worksite requires access solutions that allow the safe transportation of goods to and from your location with ease. While access mats are a great option to create makeshift roads and ease transportation, they are not always the ideal solution to overcome rivers, creeks or extremely unstable terrain.

If you’re in need of access solutions that are reliable and strong and help you face the many challenges presented by changing weather and uneven terrain, temporary bridge solutions are ideal for you. Temporary access bridges help you to seamlessly navigate creeks, muddy grounds, rivers and more while mitigating the damage caused to the environment. Learn more about the benefits of temporary access bridges below!

Efficient and Safe Transportation

Canada’s landscape can be unforgiving, especially during the harsh winter months. The freeze-thaw cycle creates uneven terrain that poses significant challenges to the transportation of goods to and from the job site. In addition to access mats, installing a temporary access bridge creates a safe and solid pathway for your equipment and crew. Even though access mats are sufficient for balancing out uneven terrain and overcoming obstacles, they cannot be used as a safe solution to bridge gaps in topography caused by rivers or creeks.

Portable bridges such as GFI Solutions’ TerraCross™ Access Bridge offer you a stable and safe bridge that can withstand a variety of applications and a variety of weights. For short projects that require a temporary bridge solution, the TerraCross™ Access Bridge is the perfect solution.

Benefits of TerraCross™ Access Bridges

Engineered with superior performance in mind, the TerraCross access bridge is designed to increase safety, reduce transportation costs and prevent contamination on site. GFI’s temporary bridge solution is easy to deploy as it’s lightweight, can be delivered in a single truck and can be installed in no time. The unique design of the TerraCross access bridge facilitates construction and lifting with a 200-class excavator or similar equipment. Not only do GFI Solutions’ access bridges ensure higher efficiency, increased site safety and reduced transportation costs, but they can also withstand extreme conditions. Whether you’re managing a project in temperatures as low as -70°F or as high as 150°F, you can confidently rely on TerraCross access bridges. No matter how big or small your project is, you can find the perfect temporary bridge solution at GFI as we offer the following two models of the TerraCross bridge:

TERRACROSS™ 40:

Weight Limit: 100 tons
Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
Total Length: 40′
Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking

TERRACROSS™ 56:

Weight Limit: 65 tons
Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
Total Length: 56′
Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking

GFI: Canada’s Leading Supplier of Access Products and Services

In addition to providing our customers with safe and reliable access matting products, GFI Solutions is proud to offer exceptional customer service that will ensure keeping your project on schedule and increase your savings. Our 24/7 customer support includes:

Inventory Management
Delivery
Installation
Manufacturing
Mat Washing
Turn-Key Services
Planning and Consultation

Our experts are available daily to meet your access matting needs across Western Canada.

Contact us today to learn more about our wide range of access solutions and services for your worksite!

Drilling Rig Mats: Designed for Your Toughest Projects

Feb 22, 2023 | Access Mats, News

Are you a project manager searching for an affordable, safe access solution for your next project? If so, GFI Solutions is here to help! As Canada’s leading distributor of access matting solutions, GFI Solutions is proud to offer a range of Sterling Solutions drilling rig mats. Our drilling rig mats can provide your project with a safe, affordable, and durable means of keeping your site accessible. Keep reading to learn more about GFI Solutions’ Site Safe drilling rig mats and how they compare to traditional bolted mats!

CLT Mats or Bolted Mats?

While timber or bolted mats are the primary choices for safe access solutions, better options are available. One of the critical factors to consider when comparing Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats to bolted mats is that they are less suited for most industries. This is because they’re often made from both hard and softwood. This mixed wood type means they can be more susceptible to damage. Compared to CLT mats, traditional bolted mats can’t measure up to the challenge of providing a safe and long-lasting access solution for extremely heavy equipment. Below are a few advantages of CLT drilling rig mats from GFI Solutions:

Impact-resistant and highly durable
Less prone to moisture and rot due to the eco-friendly adhesive and wax seal on all edges of the rig mat
Weather resistant
Gap-free top reduces tripping risks
Lightweight, which reduces overall shipping costs
And more!

When you need safe access solutions for your next project, GFI Solutions is here to help. Our access solution experts can assist with several challenges regarding determining the appropriate amount of drilling rig mats your project will require. In addition to our drilling rig mats, GFI Solutions can also custom-build drilling rig mats. So if you need a rig mat with particular specifications, our team can custom-make it just for you!

The Industry Leader in Access Solutions

Sterling Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats are the premier industry standard for safe access solutions. CLT mats are significantly lighter than traditional bolted mats because they do not use any bolts; instead, they’re bonded with an eco-friendly adhesive. CLT drilling rig mats have a 3-5 times longer lifespan than traditional bolted mats. Their lifespan is long because they can flex under pressure, evenly distribute weight, and are made from Southern Yellow Pine, which is incredibly durable and robust. Combined with the manufacturing process, these factors mean that CLT drilling rig mats perform exceptionally well under heavy pressure or in challenging terrain. At GFI Solutions, we have the Site Safe CLT Mats 300 and Site Safe CLT Mats 500-series access mats. If you’re looking for a drilling rig mat that can withstand the heaviest loads, the Site Safe CLT Mats 500-series is the safe site access solution you’ve been searching for! However, our access matting experts at GFI Solutions can assist you with determining the best drilling rig mats for your project and the number of mats your project will require. When you’re looking for access solutions, GFI Solutions is here to help!

The Experts in Safe Site Access Solutions

With options for heavy-duty applications, such as drilling rigs to access bridges and more, GFI Solutions can help you get the access solutions you need for your project. As Alberta’s top distributor of Sterling Solutions Site Safe CLT access mats, GFI Solutions is proud to offer various additional services such as 24/7 rentals, sales support, installation and more! If you’ve been searching for durable drilling rig mats, contact us today!

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