Apr 25, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Winter is on the way out, and with the snow finally starting to melt, it’s time to make sure that you have everything you need for the upcoming construction and development season. Whether you’re in the construction, oil & gas, mining, forestry, petrochemical, or related heavy industrial sectors, you already know just how important it is to have the right tools for the job in place before breaking ground. At GFI Solutions, we’re proud to be one of Canada’s top choices for site access solutions, including a wide range of heavy-duty site-safe CLT access mats. Designed to tackle the toughest jobs on-site while saving you time, money, and avoiding plenty of headaches along the way, CLT rig and crane mats offer plenty of benefits to every job site, and GFI is here to ensure you have the products you need when it matters most. Learn more about the benefits of CLT crane mats and partnering with GFI below!
Leave the Past Behind
There’s been a large pain point in the safe access industry for decades, but until fairly recently, there hadn’t been a vetted solution for the frustration caused by traditional bolted matting. Despite being the go-to solution in the past, bolted mats have a reputation for sudden failures and heavy shipping fees, neither of which are ideal for procurement managers. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have stepped up to fill the void and performance demands left by bolted mats and give you plenty of benefits to enjoy on the job site including weighing 40% less than oak mats, a life cycle that lasts 3-5 times longer, and 500 and 700 series that can easily outperform traditional crane and rig matting. Best of all, the lower weight of CLT mats means you’ll save significantly when shipping your mats, with each load being capable of carrying up to 60% more than standard bolted mats.
How it Works
CLT crane and access mats are set apart from competitors thanks to their unique manufacturing process. While bolted mats are created by bolting materials together (hence the name), Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. Bonding the planks together allows them to flex and focus weight on ALL aspects of the mat, rather than straining on bolt points and risking sudden failures. The flexibility of the mats allows for superior durability and performance, even under heavy loads, project after project. Our 500 series is a 5 ply CLT mat, available in multiple sizes, and for extra heavy lifting, we’re pleased to offer a 700 series for the toughest jobs you face.
Crane Mats at GFI
With decades of industry experience on our side, the team at GFI knows how important it is to have the right solutions available with minimal wait times or ordering hassle. Our commitment to you extends well beyond offering superior products to exceptional round-the-clock service. From 24/7 rental and sales support to inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation, and more, GFI Solutions is here to ensure that your project has everything you need to continue on schedule. Contact our team today to learn more.
Apr 18, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Installing access mats that can withstand heavy weights as well as extreme weather conditions is every contractor’s dream. Finding the right balance between quality and affordability is another challenge contractors face, especially if the only option is to ship heavy bolted mats that blow up your budget.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mat is the solution for every contractor’s problem. Not only are the access mats significantly more robust than standard bolted mats, but CLT mats are also shipped up to 50% more in a single load due to their lightweight structure. Read on to learn all you need to know about CLT access mats and the multiple benefits you can expect.
What is CLT?
The process of bonding wooden layers together using a unique adhesive to create an access mat is Cross Laminated Timber. Standard access mats bolt wooden planks together instead of adhesive, resulting in splints, damage and quick wear and tear. The adhesion used in CLT access mats allows for an even distribution of weight throughout the entire mat, resulting in less chance of damage and longer longevity. USDA Forest Products Laboratory, San Diego State University and Henkel Adhesives have all tested the strength of our CLT access mats and validated their durability. The durability of the CLT access mats allows GFI solutions to sell and rent out as many mats as you need, as you can easily reuse them for several projects.
Why Should You Switch To CLT Access Mats?
CLT access mats are an asset to any worksite, especially under the heaviest of loads such as cranes and rigs. Switching to CLT access mats enhances your worksite as they offer the following benefits:
- Withstand extreme conditions, including heat and cold
- Repel moisture and rot as all four edges are laminated using glue and wax
- Gap-less, solid matting top reduces tripping accidents
- Longer lifespan than bolted mats
- Safe for the environment
- Lightweight mats reduce shipping costs since more CLT mats can be shipped than bolted products and more!
Where can I Buy/Rent CLT Access Mats?
GFI Solutions is proud to be a distributor for Sterling Solutions, offering a wide range of TerraLam® products, including TerraLam® 300 CLT and TerraLam® 500 CLT access mats, access bridges and more. We guarantee the strength and durability of our mats; you will never be required to pay for damaged or replaced mats. GFI is ready to provide you with CLT crane access mats engineered to suit your project’s specifications whether you are looking to rent or purchase them.
When Will I Need to Switch to CLT Access Mats?
The sooner you switch to CLT access mats, the quicker you can guarantee a safe job site. GFI Solutions looks for long-term partnerships with our customers, helping you maintain all the safety measures necessary for your access mating needs. Once you request a quote, an expert from GFI Solutions will review your project and suggest the best access matting solution for your business. We also provide you with support 24/7 through our qualified team members.
Apr 18, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Need some heavy-duty site access solutions to get you through construction season? If you’re on the look for crane matting that you can count on but aren’t sure if you’re ready to make the commitment of purchasing for the long term, GFI Solutions is here to help. As one of Canada’s leading suppliers of site safe access matting solutions including both rental and sale options, we’re proud to partner with heavy industry clients in the oil & gas, power, mining, construction, and related sectors to make sure you have everything you need to succeed in 2022! With a wide inventory of access mats, including our heavy-duty 500 lines, you can count on the team at GFI to help you get where you need to go. Learn more about the benefit of CLT access mats, as well as GFI’s rental solutions, below.
Performance You Can Trust
At GFI Solutions, our decades of industry experience have taught us the value of having access to the solutions you need when it matters most. Since day one, our goal has been making it easy to get the mats you need fast. Our inventory features the highest quality matting options available on the market, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. Designed to offer superior performance alongside lower costs and a lifecycle that’s 3-5 times longer than bolted mats, it’s no wonder that CLT has taken over as the industry standard, and the preferred solution of choice among many leaders in the construction and heavy industrial world. Simply put, when you need crane and access mats you can count on to stand up to the toughest tasks, you need CLT matting!
Why CLT?
As we’ve mentioned above, CLT mats have made a profound mark on the site access industry, and have blazed a new path forward for safer, more efficient solutions. Unlike their predecessors, CLT rig and access mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. This composition allows the mats to flex under pressure and evenly distribute weight rather than putting stress on specific bolt points. With the strain being evenly distributed, the mat is far less likely to snap under pressure, even when subject to the heaviest loads caused by heavy equipment like cranes, excavators, etc. At GFI, we’re proud to feature our 500 series for rig/crane applications and offer this 5 ply mat in is a 5 ply CLT available in multiple sizes for your convenience. If you require even more strength we also offer the 700 series which is a 7 ply CLT, making it one tough mat to tackle!
GFI: There When It Matters Most
GFI knows just how important it is to have access to reliable, cost-effective solutions when it matters most. Our commitment to you is that we’ll always have your back, rain, snow or shine. With 24/7 rental and sales support to inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation and more, GFI Solutions is here to ensure that your project has everything you need to continue on schedule.
Whether you’re looking to test out the durability of TerraLam® CLT mats before buying or need to replace failing mats, we’re here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.
Apr 18, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Are you wondering whether you need swamp mats, access mats or rig mats for your upcoming project? Whether your project is for the oil & gas, energy sector or petrochemical industry, GFI Solutions offers matting solutions for all industries. We are proud to be one of Canada’s leading suppliers of site access solutions offering Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® CLT Access Mat products.
To help you decide which matting is best suited for your project, we have devised an overview of the use of each product, the differences between them and which product would be the best fit for you. Read on to learn more!
Access Mats VS. Swamp Mats
A common confusion in the matting industry is the difference between access mats and swamp mats. Consumers tend to use these terms thinking they’re different products, when in reality, access mats and swam mats refer to the same generic product. “Swamp mats” are more commonly used in southern regions where the weather is more humid, creating a swamp/marsh-like terrain. For Canadian weather, CLT access mat is the term that describes matting solutions used to create makeshift roadways in and out of a job site.
Rig Mats
The term used to describe access mats that are predominantly created to withstand heavy loads or heavy machinery is “rig mats.” These particular mats can handle a wide range of weights up to 2667 lbs. Unlike standard access mats, rig mats generally have a steel frame that enables them to withstand rigs, cranes and several other heavy types of equipment commonly used in worksites.
What Is The Solution For You?
Depending on your worksite, you might need rig mats, access mats, or both! If you’re looking for matting solutions for uneven terrain, then the best option for you would be GFI Solutions’ Cross Laminated Timber mats. Rig mats should be a necessity in your worksite if you will be using heavy loads and equipment.
GFI Solutions ensure lighter, faster and longer-lasting matting solutions for your project. Our TerraLam mats are two-thirds the weight of standard bolted mats, which allows us to transport 72 mats per load, saving you up to 60% of transportation fees. We guarantee long-lasting matting solutions; we won’t charge for any damage or replacement costs. Our team of experts is available 24/7 for any service or support issues.
Contact us now to purchase or rent the matting products you need for your upcoming project!
Apr 18, 2022 | Access Mats, News
With winter coming to an end, the vicious freeze-thaw cycle gets closer by the day. Building a project in this Canadian terrain can leave the worksite prone to ditches, muddy grounds, sinkholes and other uneven areas that hinder transportation. Site-safe access matting is the perfect solution for allowing minimal disruptions and even grounds and staying on track and budget. GFI Solutions offers Cross Laminated Timber and bolted access mats for sale and rent.
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are an environmentally and budget-friendly option for your project. The wooden planks are bound together using an environmentally friendly adhesive that allows the access mat to be flexible, more robust and lighter in weight. Learn more about the benefits of Cross Laminated Timber mats below!
Environmentally Friendly
Cross Laminated Timber mats are built with sustainable forest practices as they are created from Southern Yellow Pine. The Southern Yellow Pine is harvestable in 20 years compared to Oak, where it is grown to harvestable maturing in 100 years. At GFI solutions, we are keen on offering safe matting solutions for your machinery as well as the environment.
Cost-Effective
All types of access mats provide a smooth walking and driving surface in construction areas where transportation is hindered due to uneven terrain; however, Cross Laminated Timber mats are safer, stronger and save you transportation money. Since CLT mats are 40% lighter in weight, you will be able to transport 72 mats per load, saving you up to 60% in transportation costs.
Stronger and Safer
The strength and durability of CLT access mats come from the adhesive used to bond the planks together. Adhered TerraLam access mats allow for even distribution of weight throughout the entire mat, increasing the flexibility of the mats and preventing breakage and damage under extreme weight loads.
GFI’s TerraLam mats eliminate tripping hazards caused by gaps between boards in traditional mats. A smooth solid surface ensures no risk of vehicle damage or puncture injuries resulting from loose or damaged bolts in standard mats. With CLT mats, you can provide a safe worksite for your crew and machinery.
For longer-lasting mats, GFI’s matting solutions are engineered with wax sealer and glue lamination that allow for 5X stiffer access mats. If dropped or mishandled, CLT mats will not be damaged or deformed.
Access Mats For Your Worksite
GFI solutions are proud to offer you access matting solutions for all your upcoming projects. From Cross Laminated Timber mats to standard bolted access mats, we’re here to help you build a safe and mobile road for your worksite. Contact our team today for more information about access mats for sale or rent!
Apr 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
GFI Solutions is one of Canada’s leading suppliers of safe-site matting solutions, including swamp mats, access mats and bridges. We help deliver and install your choice of access mats as well as offer service and support 24 hours a day throughout Canada.
When you’re starting a project, you might face the dilemma of whether you need to order swamp mats or access mats; we can help clear up the confusion. For starters, the term “swamp mats” is technically only used in southern regions where worksites witness warm, swampy grounds which require matting to cross. In practice, there are no differences between swamp mats and access mats; the terms are both used interchangeably depending on where you are in the world. With that said, there are different uses for access mats which you should be aware of before sending out your order. We’ll take a closer look at the different types of mats below and help you choose the best option for your project!
Access Mats
The type of matting suitable for your project will depend on where you plan to use it. If you’re looking to build a temporary road that is reliable and budget-friendly, then you should be looking to install Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats. You can either choose the TerraLam® 300 CLT or the TerraLam® 500 CLT, depending on the requirements of the worksite.
TerraLam® 300 CLT Specifications:
- 3-ply cross-laminated timber
- Southern Yellow Pine
- Weight: – 1,350 lbs.
TerraLam® 500 CLT Specifications:
- 5-ply cross-laminated timber
- All layers are made from Southern Yellow Pine
- Weight: – 2,667 lbs.
Rig/Crane Mats
Rig and Crane access mats assist with transportation requirements and provide a stable foundation for heavy equipment used, such as rigs and cranes. These types of mats have a steel frame to be able to handle the increased loads of heavy machinery and prevent future breakages.
The cost of rig/crane access mats is usually more expensive than regular CLT access mats, which is why you need to be sure what type of access mats you require before placing your orders. If you’re not sure which option would be best suited for your project, contact our team of experts for more information.
Benefits of CLT Access Mats
CLT access mats are more substantial, more durable and safer than bolted matting. CLT access mats are designed to offer better performance at a lower cost as well as:
- 3-5 times the lifespan of bolted mats
- Lower shipping costs
- Solid matting tops that reduce worksite hazards
- Every mat delivered will perform to your specifications
With GFI Solutions’ access mats, you will no longer worry about damage or replacement costs. We ensure that our customers never have to pay for damaged mats or if they need to replace them. Ever!
Want To Spend Less On Access Mats?
Contact GFI Solutions to learn more about TerraLam® Products today.
