Feb 11, 2020 | Access Mats, News
If you think the three terms above refer to the same product, you’re not alone. Even the most experienced professionals often have trouble when it comes to defining what the difference between these mats are, often resulting in wrong product orders, frustration, and costly delays. If you’re considering a large scale order and aren’t sure exactly what you need to accomplish your objectives, GFI is here to help. Below is a brief overview of the difference between swamp, rig, and access mats to help avoid confusion.
Wheres Does The Confusion Come From?
A large part of the confusion that stems from the various matting names comes down the to the fact that the matting industry tends to lack specific regulation where specific terminology is concerned. Over time, rig/access/swamp mats have been referred to interchangeably, typically when referring to the category of “access mats” as a whole. While swamp, rig, and access mats all do play a role in the main function of ensuring job sites and activities are accessible to operators, the ability to clearly distinguish between products is key to success and safety.
Access Mats (Often referred to as Swamp Mats): refers to matting solutions that can be used as makeshift roads in and out of a job site. Versatile in nature, this mats can handle a wide range of weights and typically come in either the traditional bolted format, or the increasingly popular CLT design. Access mats are frequently called “swamp mats”, which is a regional derivative of the main term.
Rig Mats: can also be considered a form of access mat, but are predominately relied upon for extremely heavy loads or applications such as cranes, equipment, etc. Rig mats typically have steel frames that allow them to handle such loads safely, and usually cost significantly more than their access mat counterparts.
Which One Do I Need?
If you’re unsure of which product is best suited for your specific applications, GFI is happy to assist you when it comes to selecting the perfect fit. We are available for 24/7 support all throughout Canada including Western Canada hotspots like Grande Prairie. With a leading inventory featuring superior products such as Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® products, our team will help you find the ideal solution for your job site. Contact us now to learn more!
Feb 11, 2020 | Access Mats, News
24/7 Access Mat Solutions
At GFI Solutions, we know just how vital access to reliable matting solutions are. For those in the construction, oil & gas, drilling, power transmission, renewable energy, mining, and related sectors, the ability to reach your job site and transport goods to and from is vital to the success of the project. From circumventing inclement weather to helping your fleet traverse difficult terrain safely, access mats are an invaluable resource all year round. GFI Solutions understand first hand how important it is to have readily available access to high quality, dependable matting products when you need them most, and is proud to be a leading supplier of TerraLam® CLT access mats throughout Alberta and Western Canada With 24/7 service, expedited delivery and knowledge you can trust, GFI is here to help. Learn more about the benefits of TerraLam® mats and partnering with GFI below!
TerraLam® Mats: Tough, Dependable, Built To Last
At GFI Solutions, we take pride in offering our customers the best products on the market. We know that flimsy mats result in additional costs, frustration, delays, and other issues for project managers. TerraLam® CLT access mats are made with the highest quality materials and design, helping to mitigate such issues with ease. TerraLam® mats are engineered to be stronger and more durable than traditional bolted mats, and serve as a safer alternative that drastically reduces damage, replacement, and transportation costs.
How does it work? TerraLam® mats use an innovative manufacturing process called Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) as an environmentally safe structural adhesive instead of bolts. Where bolted mats only transfer loads at the location of the mechanical fasteners, CLT mats transfer the load evenly through every square foot of the mat, strengthening the planks and reducing your chance of damage. In addition to superior durability where loads are concerned, the adhesive also protects the mat from rot and decay, meaning your life cycle is much longer and maximizing your investment.
Why Partner With GFI Solutions
At GFI Solutions, our number one priority is, and always will be, providing customers with exceptional products when it matters the most. We know the headaches caused by sudden delays, shipment issues, or breakages on site. Our commitment to you is that we’ll always be here with quality mats you can count on. Our solutions include:
- Turnkey services
- Inventory management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery& Installation
- Mat washing
- Planning & consultation, and more.
For more information on leading access mat products throughout Canada, contact GFI today.
Feb 5, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Considering making the switch from traditional bolted access matting to Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) products, but feeling unsure about which option works best for your job site? GFI is here to help! As a relatively new solution in the world of access matting, CLT mats have a wide range of benefits for clients spanning multiple industries, including increased strength capacity, cost-effectiveness, enhanced safety provisions, and more. For those looking for a newer, better, way to facilitate access to their remote job site, CLT mats may be the perfect fit! Learn more about CLT access mats below, including Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® products available at GFI Solutions.
What Is Cross Laminated Timber?
Cross laminated timber (CLT) mats are designed to fulfill the same function as bolted access mats, but are constructed using different methods compared to traditional bolted models. Rather than being bolted into place with bolts, screws, or other mechanical fasteners, Cross Laminated Timber mats are bonded together using an adhesive and alternating perpendicular layers of wood create the finished product as opposed. TerraLam® CLT access mats allow even distribution of weight throughout the entire mat, leading to less chance of breakage, even under the heaviest of loads.
Plenty of Benefits
Alongside increased strength and a lightweight composition that allows for greater amounts to be shipped in a single load (up to 50% more than bolted mats per load), there are several benefits to using CLT mats. Such advantages include:
- Better lifespan (3-5 times longer than bolted mats)
- Certain mats, like those used in TerraLam® products are crafted from fast growing southern yellow pine wood, which is more environmentally sustainable than the demand for mixed hardwood mats.
- High impact resistance
- Fast to install and remove
- Glue lamination and wax sealer on all 4 edges makes it easier to repel moisture and rot.
- Suitable for use in extreme conditions, include heat and cold, and more.
TerraLam® CLT Mats at GFI Solutions
Ready to make the switch to laminated access mats? GFI has you covered. As Western Canada’s leading source for access mat solutions, GFI is proud to be a distributor of Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® products, including their 300 and 500 model access mats, access bridges, and more. Designed with the utmost quality in mind, TerraLam® is at the top of the CLT market. Learn more about these incredible solutions by contacting our team today.
Feb 5, 2020 | Access Mats, News
With rugged terrain, long, cold winters and summers that bring a mixture of heat and rain, the Canadian landscape can pose a series of challenges to those operating on remote job sites. Access mats provide welcome relief by serving as makeshift roads for the hauling of equipment, resources, and transport of crews into/out of any location. While the market has typically been dominated by the more traditional bolted style of mats, in recent years, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) products have been rising in prominence. Significantly stronger than bolted mats and capable of shipping up to 50% more in a single load due to their lightweight structure, CLT mats offer multiple benefits for purchasers. Learn more about CLT access mats below, including Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® products available at GFI Solutions.
What Is Cross Laminated Timber?
Cross Laminated Timber is the process of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with a special adhesive to create the finished product as opposed to the traditional bolted structure. TerraLam® CLT access mats allow even distribution of weight throughout the entire mat, leading to less chance of breakage, even under the heaviest of loads.
What Are the Main Benefits
In addition to the enhanced strength to weight ratio mentioned above, there are multiple benefits to selecting CLT access mats. Advantages include:
- High impact resistance
- A lifespan that lasts 3-5 times longer than bolted mats.
- Glue lamination and wax sealed on all 4 edges makes it easier to repel moisture and rot.
- Suitable for use in extreme conditions, include heat and cold.
- Solid matting top reduces tripping hazards, as well as the tired damage to vehicles
- Reduced shipping costs due to the lightweight nature of the mats (more CLT mats can be shipped compared to bolted products), and more.
TerraLam® CLT Mats at GFI Solutions
As Western Canada’s leading source for access mat solutions, GFI is proud to carry the best products available on the market. We are a distributor for Sterling Solutions‘ range of TerraLam® products, including their 300 and 500 model access mats, access bridges, and more. Designed with the utmost of quality in mind, TerraLam® solutions embody the many benefits of CLT mats, right down to the superior performance and longevity.
Find The Right Fit With GFI
Learn more by contacting our team today.
Jan 29, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Do you need fast access to matting solutions that last? GFI Solutions is proud to be Western Canada’s leading supplier of access mat products from top manufacturers like Sterling Solutions. Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® access mats are among the strongest and longest lasting in the industry, granting them a reputation for superior performance and value. From helping you conquer uneven terrain to standing up to the demands of heavy equipment, long projects, and more, TerraLam® solutions are your first choice for access mat solutions. With 24/7 service, fast delivery Canada-wide and a team full of dedicated experts, GFI is here to help. Learn more about TerraLam® along with the benefits of partnering with GFI Solutions below.
TerraLam® Mats: Built To Last
Remote job sites, difficult landscapes and shifting terrain pose unique challenges to project management, equipment transport, and other aspects of development. Access mats help to remove such challenges by providing temporary, easy to install and remove paths into your location. These makeshift roadways allow for the safe transport of resources into and out of the site, and help to avoid costly delays as well as damage to materials being hauled. Mats need to be able to stand up to the demands of heavy loads, changing temperatures, and progressive wear and tear. TerraLam® Mats not only meet this challenge, but also offer increased life cycles, lightweight models and more.
An Innovative Approach
GFI Solutions is proud to carry TerraLam® mats for our customers. Created using the unique Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) technique, TerraLam’s alternating perpendicular layers of wood are bonded with a special adhesive for unmatched strength and safety in a lightweight solution. This allows TerraLam®’s to equally distribute loads through the entire mat rather than specific bolting points, leading to increased performance that stays strong under pressure.
Why Partner With GFI Solutions
At GFI Solutions, our number one priority is customer satisfaction. We understand the value of having fast access to the products you need most, and will always strive to provide you with unparalleled access to our inventory. We offer a services including:
- Turnkey services
- Inventory management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery & Installation
- Mat washing
- Rentals
- Planning & consultation, and more.
For more information on TerraLam® products for rental or purchase contact GFI today.
