Jun 24, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Heavy industries require robust, durable products that can withstand extreme weight as well as extreme conditions. The oil & gas, mining, construction and forestry industries are equipped with heavy machinery to transport heavy loads regularly, increasing their demand for long-lasting, sturdy access mats. GFI Solutions are proud to be Canada’s number 1 supplier for Sterling’s TerraLam access mats, which provides safe transportation for your equipment and a secure worksite for your crew.
TerraLam Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats provide a reliable solution for all your matting problems at a cost-effective budget. Read on to learn more about the high performance of our CLT access mats.
Buy More; Save More!
The TerraLam CLT access mats use an environmentally safe adhesive to bond the wood together instead of bolts, creating robust, lightweight mats. We can fit up to 72 CLT mats per load as they are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats. When you purchase or rent CLT mats, you can save up to 50% on freight costs as you can fit more with every truckload! Buy more CLT mats and save more on transportation costs.
Maximum Durability
Engineered using Southern Yellow Pine fibre, our CLT mats are 30% harder than Douglas Fir used in most traditional bolted mats. Our mats are also 5X stiffer than bolted mats as they are manufactured using wax sealer and glue lamination, which play a significant role in their strength.
Safer Choice
The main concern in any worksite is the safety of the crew and the equipment. The CLT access mats are a safe choice for your crew as they have a rough solid surface that prevents puncture injuries and tripping hazards. The smooth surface also eliminates the risk of vehicle damage and traffic hazards, ensuring safe transport of your machinery.
CLT mats are not only safe for your worksite, but they are also safe for the environment. They’re built with renewable Southern Yellow Pine, which not only increases the longevity of our access mats but is also a sustainable, farm-raised wood that regenerates in 25-30 years, decades faster than the standard options.
Variety of Matting Solutions
Our CLT access mats are available in 3- or 5- ply construction with various widths and lengths best suited for your needs. GFI Solutions also offers custom-build CLT mats if needed. Our inventory includes:
- TerraLam 300 CLT
- TerraLam 500 CLT
- TerraLam 700 CLT
TerraLam CLT mats are engineered to create a portable road to support heavy-duty trucks and tracked machinery. They can also be used as bridge decking or mobile crane mats for cumbersome equipment.
Learn about our available products and services, including sales and rentals, by contacting GFI today.
Jun 16, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Our Canadian terrain faces some unique challenges associated with the ever-changing climate throughout the year. The freeze-thaw cycle and extreme temperatures can leave your work site’s foundation riddled with mud, ice, snow, and uneven ground, making transportation difficult. If you’re a project manager looking to stay on track and budget, site-safe access mats offer safety and affordability with minimal disruption.
At GFI Solutions, we are Canada’s leading provider of access mats, including Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® CLT mats. When it comes to the heavy-duty needs of our drilling sector customers, we know there’s no room for error or subpar mats. Keep reading to learn more about CLT mats!
TerraLam® CLT Matting an Industry Leader
Engineered to be up to 40% lighter than standard bolted mats, GFI’s TerraLam® CLT mats are a step towards incredible quality. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) provides significant improvements over traditional bolted mats. They’re manufactured through a process that involves adhering perpendicular layers of wood together to create a solid structure that has a 3-5 times longer lifespan. Even under heavy pressure, our TerraLam® mats provide exceptional access solutions that make them well suited for a range of applications and job sites.
TerraLam® has two options in their safety access mats the 500-series and the 300-series. The 500-series lineup is ideal for supporting heavy-duty trucks and tracked equipment like those expected of rig and crane mats. Meanwhile, the 300-series are best suited for general ground protection, access roads, and drilling/equipment staging platforms. At GFI Solutions, our offering of TerraLam® access mats is sure to be the drilling mats you can count on.
CLT Mats V.S. Bolted Mats
While bolted mats or timber mats are the traditional choices for access solutions, that doesn’t mean they’re the best option available in the market. One of the main factors that make bolted mats less suited for most industries is that they’re made from hard and softwood. With no specific standard to control the quality, timber mats have a short lifespan. In comparison, CLT mats are made from high-grade Southern Yellow Pine, which makes CLT mats better suited for heavy-duty jobs and challenging conditions. At GFI, our CLT mats also offer the following advantages:
- High impact resistance and durability.
- 3-5 times the lifespan of bolted mats.
- Glue lamination and wax sealed on all four edges of the mat results in a mat less prone to moisture and rot.
- Resistance to our Canadian climate.
- Solid top, which reduces tripping hazards.
- Decreased shipping costs due to the lightweight nature of the mats (more CLT mats can be shipped in comparison to bolted mats), and more!
GFI Solutions Your Source for Access Solutions
From heavy-duty applications like drilling and rig work to custom roadways for your unique project, GFI Solutions is here to help you build the transportation solutions you need. We are proud to be Alberta’s top choice for safe access solutions; that’s why GFI offers a range of services, including 24/7 rental and sales support, expedited delivery, installation, and more. If you’re looking to try out the durability of our TerraLam® CLT mats before buying or need to replace a failing mat as soon as possible, GFI is here to help. Contact our team today to learn more!
Jun 16, 2022 | News, TerraCross Bridges
Remote worksites are accompanied by logistical problems where access is hindered due to environmental obstacles. Rough, unreliable terrain and rapidly changing weather in the Canadian landscape can cause uncontrollable delays to your project. To overcome these complications, portable bridges are used to enable easy navigation in less than ideal locations.
GFI Solutions have engineered high-quality temporary access bridges to help haulers and project managers overcome weather and terrain difficulties with ease while also maintaining a robust foundation for heavyweight loads. Learn more about GFI’s portable access bridges below.
Engineered to Last
At GFI Solutions, we understand the importance of safety and efficiency when installing temporary bridges, which is why we have engineered an easy to deploy, lightweight, portable bridge. Our TerraCross bridge is manufactured to provide a secure crossing over water, ditches, environmental hazards and more while withstanding the extreme weight of machines and loads. If your worksite requires lifting and construction with 200-class excavators or similar equipment, the TerraCross bridge is the solution for you. The specs include:
TERRACROSS 40:
- Maximum Weight 100 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
- Length: 40′
TERRACROSS 56:
- Maximum Weight 65 tons
- Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
- Length: 56′
Easy Transportation
The TerraCross bridge is built to help you cross ditches, holes or gaps that may hinder the speed of your project. It’s an excellent site access solution that is used in most remote job sites, no matter the difficulty of the terrain. Our TerraCross bridges can be shipped to your site via one or two trucks at the most. The TerraCross 40 and TerraCross56 bridges are designed for quick and easy installation to prevent any possible delays in your project.
Partner with GFI
Our matting expertise does not end with state-of-the-art bridges; we also offer a variety of matting solutions, including:
- Turn-Key Services
- Inventory Management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery and Installation
- Mat Washing
- Planning and Consultation
Our team also offers 24/7 service and support to meet all your matting needs.
Get A Quote
GFI Solutions distributes access products throughout the Western Canada region and nation-wide. Contact our team of experts today and get a quote on the TerraCross portable bridge for your upcoming project.
May 26, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Is your project or worksite in need of high-quality, safe site access solutions? While traditional bolted mats may be your first choice, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are sure to be your new favourite option. At GFI Solutions, we are proud to be the leading distributor of Sterling Solutions’ CLT mats. These mats offer a range of advantages compared to traditional bolted mats. From affordability to durability and more CLT mats are the new industry leaders for safe site access solutions. Keep reading to learn how CLT mats outperform traditional bolted mats.
What Are CLT Mats?
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are a new contender in the safe site access market. These innovative crane mats do the same job as traditional bolted mats; however, the similarities end there. CLT mats are made using wood from plantation-grown Southern Yellow Pine and an adhesive that bonds the wood planks together; there’s no need for bolts. Through this unique manufacturing process, CLT mats have a longer life cycle with a range of other advantages, but more on that later. GFI Solution’s TerraLam CLT mats are available in two standard sizes, the 300-series and the 500-series.
Advantages of CLT Mats
Compared to traditional timber bolted mats, CLT mats offer a variety of advantages for your worksite. For starters, CLT access mats are 40% lighter than bolted mats, that weight reduction allows for the transportation of up to 25% more mats per load. That means you save money on delivery costs, but when it’s time for your project to kickoff, you won’t be left waiting for all of your access mats to arrive.
TerraLam mats are also able to withstand a range of temperatures, from as low as -55℃ (-70℉) to as high as 65℃ (150℉). This makes these ground protection mats perfect for our fluctuating Canadian climate. While wood tends to get slippery in wet, muddy, and icy weather, the sturdy top of TerraLam mats is rough, which helps to eliminate the risk of tripping hazards and ensure they can continue performing even in inclement weather.
Are you looking for crane mats that can be interconnected? Our TerraLam mats can be fitted with special “fingers” that work similarly to traditional bolted access mats. At GFI Solutions, we want to find the site access solutions that best fit your needs. So if you’re looking for a safer, more affordable, and longer-lasting site access mat, our TerraLam mats are sure to satisfy.
Site Access Solutions at GFI
GFI Solutions offers a range of matting services beyond sales and rentals; some of our other services include delivery and installation, inventory management, mat washing and more. In addition to a robust stock of highly in-demand mats, we offer 24/7 customer support; that way, our team at GFI can connect you to the site access solutions you need. For all of your temporary pathways, crane mats, and general access mat needs, GFI is here to help. Contact our team to learn more!
May 26, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Cranes and rig work is one of the most challenging applications for rig mats. The immense weight of this machinery can cause traditional rig mats to crack under pressure. Luckily there’s a solution for this problem! At GFI Solutions, we have the access mats you need to ensure that your project operates smoothly and safely. As Alberta’s premier supplier of CLT crane mats, GFI Solutions is proud to offer high-quality access mats. We know our team of experts can assist you in determining which Terrlam mats would be best suited for your application. Read more to learn more about our line of crane mats.
How CLT Mats Work
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are made by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. Mat strength lies in its ability to transfer weight to the surface below through the mat. Adhered CLT mats distribute the load weight more evenly than bolted mats, even when confronted with heavy loads. This, in turn, allows CLT mats to be more durable than the competition.
Since GFI’s CLT mats are engineered with quality in mind, they’re guaranteed to last and withstand the wear and tear of your project’s job site. At GFI, we have confidence in our TerraLam mats; that’s why we won’t charge you for any damage or replacement costs. But if damage does occur, repairs are no sweat! Our TerraLam mats are easy and inexpensive to repair. Compared to traditional access mats, which often require removing rusted or bent bolts, our mats are solid wood and don’t contain any bolts that could need replacing.
Benefits of CLT Mats
Switching from bolted mats to GFI’s CLT crane mats comes with many perks. CLT mats are lighter and safer than traditional bolted mats. Our TerraLam mats have a textured solid top surface which helps to eliminate tripping hazards. Since they’re made using adhesive rather than bolts, our mats also are free from puncture injuries or vehicle damage as there are no bolts to protrude from damaged mats. Our CLT mats are also environmentally conscious as all the wood used in manufacturing them is made from plantation-grown southern yellow pine. GFI’s CLT mats are lighter, long-lasting, safer, and sustainable.
At GFI, our commitment to you extends further than simply offering a great product. We also are happy to provide 24/7 rental and sales support, inventory management, expedited delivery, mat washing and more!
Access Mats at GFI
At GFI, we pride ourselves on making long-term relationships with you, our customer. That’s why a GFI expert will work with you to find the best solution for your project—interested in making the switch from traditional mats to GFI Solution’s CLT crane mats? Contact us today, and one of our knowledgeable team members will be happy to assist you.
