Apr 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Canada’s exclusive distributor of Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam CLT products, GFI Solutions, provides safe and innovative matting solutions to meet all of your matting needs. As we entered the matting market in early 2017, our team of expert engineers was faced with challenges associated with current matting options. Our primary focus when introducing Cross Laminated Timber access mats was providing a more robust matting solution that overcomes hazards from standard access mats.
Our TerraLam 500 CLT mat and TerraLam 300 CLT mat are engineered to be more durable and stronger than traditional access mats. They reduce damage and transportation costs and provide a safer worksite for machines and workers! Read on to learn more about solutions for common matting challenges.
Low Transportation Costs
Cross Laminated Timber access mats are lighter in weight, allowing you to fit more access mats per load. Our TerraLam mats are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats, which enables the transportation of 72 mats per load, saving you up to 60% of transportation costs. If you’re currently trying to stay within budget, CLT access mats will definitely help you cut down on costs.
Lighter but Stronger
A common misconception is that the lighter the access mat, the more fragile it is. CLT access mats are lightweight; however, heavy machinery like rigs and cranes can seamlessly drive over without causing any damage or breakage. The following CLT rig mats are available at GFI solutions for your next project:
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.
CLT access mats are engineered to allow rig mats more flexibility to evenly distribute the weight across the board, making them robust and durable.
Safer Worksite
Bolted mats can cause hazards in worksites due to gapping between wooden planks or damage caused by loose/damaged bolts. The gaps in bolted mats aren’t noticeable; however, they often cause injuries to workers due to constant tripping hazards. Loose and uneven bolts in mats are also dangerous for your crew as well as the machines as puncture injuries, or vehicle damage can be caused by bolts protruding out of damaged mats.
On the other hand, CLT rig mats guarantee a gap-less and bolt-free mat, safe for machines and crew members. The mats are bound together using a strong adhesive to ensure a smooth surface throughout the board. GFI Solutions is proud to offer you safe products for machines and your crew.
Ready For More Information?
Contact our team to learn more about TerraLam Matting solutions today! Feel free to call us anytime as we offer support 24 hours, every day.
Apr 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Are you aware of just how versatile crane mats can be when it comes to protecting your job site and ensuring everyone has the right resources to proceed safely and efficiently? If you’re gearing up for a busy spring and summer season, GFI Solutions is here to make sure you have everything you need to succeed when it comes to site safe access solutions. As one of Canada’s leading suppliers of CLT access mats, GFI Solutions is proud to carry some of the highest quality crane and rig mats available on the market. Below, we’ll talk about the many applications of crane mats that you can use to benefit your sites in 2022. Read on to learn more!
Heavy Weight Champions
As many in the industrial sectors will already be aware, sometimes base-level equipment and solutions simply won’t meet the needs of your job. Those who have tried traditional bolted mats are likely already familiar with the frustration (and expense) that comes with constant breakages, and you’re no doubt wondering how you can find an access mat that can actually stand up to the needs of heavy equipment like rigs, cranes, excavators, and more.
Fear not; Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have you covered! Designed to be stronger, more flexible (and therefore less prone to sudden failures), and able to stand up to the heaviest jobs with minimal strain, CLT mats are your cost-effective perfect solutions. 500 level models are an ideal fit for crane and rig applications and are specifically designed to deal with intense loads, such as equipment and heavy transport.
Versatile Applications
CLT crane mats are one of the most versatile solutions available on the market, offering you a wide range of benefits like reducing cost thanks to the ability to ship more mats per load, a superior life cycle, and more. One of the best aspects of choosing CLT matting, in general, is that the high-level performance allows you to use them for a wide range of applications including:
Temporary Roadways
Canada’s landscape can be tough for heavy machinery to navigate, especially when you factor in constantly changing weather that constantly affects the terrain. Rig mats can be used to form makeshift roadways for your convoys, giving them safe and easy access to your job site when it matters most.
Cranes and Heavy Equipment
We all know that cranes and rig work can be one of the more challenging applications for traditional matting due to the weaknesses present at the standard bolting points on typical mats. CLT mats are able to flex under heavy equipment, making it easy for them to stay in place and act as a steady platform while you operated your rig. Having an extra layer between the ground and your equipment prevents you from sinking into the earth, and helps protect the surrounding environment as well.
The stability and strength offered by crane mats make them extremely useful when it comes to acting as a foundation for other heavy equipment like excavators, drills, and other vital construction assets that may challenge standard access matting.
Pipelines
Crane mats are also a staple when it comes to pipeline construction thanks to their durability. Heavy-duty mats are a frequent feature on job sites as they make it easy for trucks to navigate and equipment to work as needed with minimal disruptions or risk to the landscape in the long term. Crane mats can also be used as an air bridge over exiting lines to prevent traffic from coming into contact with the pipe itself.
Need Access Matting Solutions You Can Trust?
GFI is here to help. With 24/7 service all year round service and a robust inventory of safe access solutions that includes crane mats and more, our team is here to ensure you have the support you need Canada-wide. Contact us today to learn more!
Apr 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Oil and gas is one of Alberta’s largest industries and is continuously growing, especially in Edmonton. If you’re in Edmonton and starting a project for the oil and gas industry, you will be on the lookout for durable and cost-effective rig mats. You’ll also keep an eye out for rig mats that can withstand Edmonton’s unpredictable weather with waves of extreme cold and heat.
Our experts at GFI Solutions have created rig access mats that are safe, durable and endure Edmonton’s unforeseeable weather conditions. We are proud to be Edmonton’s source for site-safe access rig mats that guarantee the safety of your equipment and your crew in any worksite. Keep reading to learn more about partnering with GFI Solutions for your next oil and gas project.
Cost-Effective Solution
GFI’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats are a cost-effective solution for all contractors. The cost-saving starts from the moment the CLT access mats are manufactured to when they are delivered to your worksite. For starters, CLT access mats are made from Southern Yellow Pine, making our mats significantly lighter and easier to transport. This will allow you to save up to 50% on transport since more CLT access mats can fit during transportation than standard mats. You can also save up to 40% on labour and equipment as our CLT access mats are lighter in weight than traditional bolted access mats. GFI Solutions enables you to ship more mats per load, saving you both time and money on delivery.
Stronger Solution
It is a common misconception that CLT access mats are less robust than bolted access mats; however, that is not the case. CLT access mats use adhesive to bond the wood together instead of bolts, which allows for higher durability as the weight is spread across the entire board evenly. The adhesion also rids you from worrying about replacing your bolted mats from damage caused by wood splinters, gaps and uneven weight distribution.
Some might think that using fibre instead of blocks of wood decreases the durability of access mats; however, Southern Yellow Pine Wood fibre is 30% stronger than Douglas fir used in standard bolted mats. Our CLT access mats are created to guarantee long-lasting durability in all job sites under any conditions. You can either buy or rent CLT 300 and CLT 500 mats that come in various standardizations:
3- or 5-ply Construction
- 300 CLT – 8’ wide x 4’ thru 16’ long
- 500 CLT – 4’ wide x 4’ thru 18’ long
- 500 CLT – 8’ wide x 4’ thru 18’ long
Ready to Learn More?
GFI Solutions is looking forward to partnering with you on your upcoming project. Contact us to learn more about our site-safe rig mats in Edmonton.
Mar 30, 2022 | Access Mats, News
GFI Solutions offers various matting products for ground protection and construction mats for customers in the oil & gas industry. We provide you with excellent quality access matting solutions for a safer and more stable worksite in all conditions.
Worksites in the oil & gas industry require heavy-duty resources that not only allow for safe transportation of machinery but can also withstand bulky machinery and heavy loads. Below is a list of matting solutions you will find imperative for your next project.
Battle The Weather
Canadian worksites are exposed to the climate and landscape harsh weather conditions that more often than not, cause a project to halt. Canada experienced an extreme winter in 2021, where the temperature would drop to -30 one day and then rise suddenly to -5 the next. This weather fluctuation caused unstable ground conditions with rugged terrain and uneven surfaces for any worksite. The use of access mats is essential during such circumstances as they alleviate the difficulty of walking through snow, mud and ice. There are several different access mats available to accommodate every aspect of your project.
TerraLam Access Mats
To create a makeshift road for easy transportation of equipment, machinery and crew, you will need to consider Cross Laminated Timber access mats. CLT mats use adhesive to bond the wood together, unlike standard bolted access mats. The adhesion allows for even weight distribution throughout the board, rather than focusing on specific areas, which causes early damage and irreparable breakage.
CLT Rig and Crane Mats
Our inventory includes several options for safe and cost-effective rig and crane mats. Made from Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre, our rig/crane mats are 30% stronger than standard bolted mats made from Douglas Fir. This makes our mats ideal for a safe and robust foundation for heavy-duty machinery such as rigs and cranes. The adhesion used in our CLT rig/crane access mats allows our mats to be 40% lighter than the competition, enabling us to transport 72 mats per load, saving you up to 60% in transportation costs.
Terracross™ Bridges
To avoid the possibility of your machinery getting stuck in muddy, uneven terrain or accidentally falling into a nearby ditch, we advise you to build temporary access bridges. Your worksite needs to be hazardous free, and installing a temporary access bridge guarantees just that. The lightweight, portable design is engineered with a steel beam structure that can withstand weights up to 100 tons. We can quickly deliver and install the bridges on-site, helping you stay on track with your project.
Access Matting Solutions All In One Place
Contact us to purchase or rent one of our many matting solutions today.
Mar 30, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Matting solutions in Canada, especially in Alberta, must be able to not only withstand heavy machinery such as rigs and cranes but also endure the fluctuating weather conditions that Albertans endure during all seasons. GFI Solutions have engineered unique Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats that are reliable, safe and able to provide you with optimal performance throughout the year. Read on to learn more about CLT rig mats in Alberta.
Excellent Quality
Made from Southern Yellow Pine wood fibre, CLT rig mats are 30% stronger than traditional bolted rig mats, which use Douglas fir instead. This robust material is light in weight yet able to withstand the heaviest loads with no problems at all. Unlike the traditional mats, where the load is only transferred at the location of the mechanical fasteners, our CLT rig mats use adhesive to bind the wooden planks together to allow for more flexibility throughout the board. The adhered mats transfer the weight evenly throughout every square foot, lowering the risk of damage or breakage. All of our TerraLam® CLT mats are engineered to follow all safety measures and regulations and are reviewed annually to ensure optimal performance.
Budget-Friendly Solution
Since the Southern Yellow Pine is significantly lighter in weight, you can save up to 60% on transport costs. CLT mats are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats, which makes us able to fit 72 mats per load. More mats per load allow for fast and cost-effective delivery. GFI Solutions ensures reliable and safe mats. Whether you are looking for rig mats for sale or rent, GFI solutions guarantee top-notch quality at an affordable price.
All-Around Solutions
GFI Solutions offers matting expertise and all-around customer service that will ensure the smooth flow of your project. Our services include:
- Turn-Key Services
- Inventory Management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery and Installation
- Mat Washing
- Planning & Consultation
Our experts are available 24/7 for service and support all around Canada; we’re only one phone call away.
Ready To Learn More?
At GFI Solutions we understand how important reliable rig mats are to your job site. That’s why we’re proud to offer several products from Sterling Solutions. With clients throughout Canada, we’re here to support your project with access mats you can rely on. Contact us to learn more about our CLT rig mats and how they can make your work site safer and more productive today!
Mar 10, 2022 | Access Mats, News
It’s time to switch your existing access mats for TerraLam® Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. Rather than spending exuberant amounts on traditional bolted mats, you can now spend much less with CLT without sacrificing durability or performance. With GFI Solutions, you can now buy or rent site-safe access mats without worrying about increasing your budget. We offer two sizes, TerraLam® CLT 300 and TerraLam® CLT 500, with the option of tailoring each solution to your specific needs. Read on to learn more about the top-notch quality you can expect when choosing TerraLam® access mats.
Durable and Safe
It is crucial to guarantee high-quality access mats with all your projects, especially if you are using heavy equipment and machinery. CLT access mats offer you excellent quality, that is both reliable and customizable for any project. Unlike standard access mats, CLT mats are engineered using Southern Yellow Pine wood fibre instead of regular douglas fir, ensuring a mat that is 30% stronger.
Not only are CLT mats more robust and more reliable than standard mats, but they are also made with more durable material that lasts longer than regular mats. Instead of using bolts to hold the wood together, CLT access mats use an advanced adhesive that securely bonds the wood. The adhesive allows you to reuse the mats with minimal to no damage since bolts aren’t used to cause any splintering or gaps between individual planks.
Light and Flexible
Using adhesive to bond the wooden planks together instead of bolts allow the transportation of 72 mats per load, saving you up to 60% in transportation costs. Southern Yellow Pine wood weighs less than the standard access mats and allows the CLT mats more flexibility than standard access mats.
The adhesive used to bind together the wooden planks allows each mat to distribute weight evenly across the platform. You can now easily reuse the access mats in more than one project as they last longer and do not deform with heavy machinery, nor will they be damaged if mishandled or dropped.
With our CLT access mats, you don’t have to worry about extreme weather conditions either. We have thoroughly tested our mats in extreme heat and cold conditions to ensure durability. We guarantee 0 deformities or breakage with our access mats when used in extreme conditions.
Time To Switch To GFI Solutions
GFI Solutions is ready to present you with the CLT access mats that are longer-lasting, safer, faster AND lighter than standard mats; what more are you looking for? Contact us today and choose the CLT300 or CLT 500 for your upcoming project.
