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.
Feb 25, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Is your team searching for temporary access solutions to get through your upcoming jobs? Whether you’re looking for an in-between option or the chance to test-drive access matting before committing to a permanent purchase, renting CLT access mats is a great way to keep your project on track, adhere to environmental sustainability standards, and keep your crew safe. With spring just around the corner, GFI Solutions is here to make sure you have the resources you need to overcome the challenges presented by rain, snow, sleet, and the many other difficulties that come with Canada’s infamous weather patterns. Our team is proud to be one of Canada’s top suppliers of site-safe CLT access mats including options for renting and buying. Below, we’ll take about the benefits of CLT access mats, as well as partnering with GFI Solutions. Read on to learn more!
Why Trust CLT Access Mats?
It’s no secret that remote job sites can present countless challenges for your crew to deal with all year round. From changing weather patterns that lead to less than ideal ground conditions, uneven terrain, ditches, and everything in between, knowing that you have a reliable foundation that allows you to proceed with your operations safely is vital. Access matting can serve multiple purposes on-site, including acting as temporary roadways, support for heavy equipment like cranes and rigs, and much more. As a newer addition to the market that greatly outperforms traditional bolted matting with a life cycle that’s 3-5 times as long and significantly lower shipping costs thanks to their lightweight profile, CLT access mats have become the industry standard for difficult job sites.
GFI Solutions is proud to offer a wide range of high-end CLT access mats, including 300, 500, and even 700 level mats for heavy-duty applications.
Rent VS Buy
In the long term, purchasing mats will generally be the best way to make the most ROI on your investment, but at GFI we understand that the upfront cost may not always be possible depending on your circumstances. If you’re between, or even in the middle of a job, and suddenly find yourself needing to acquire new mats ASAP, renting can be a great option that allows you to cover the ground for the time being and test out a potential long term solution at the same time. If you’re debating between renting and buying, we recommend considering the following:
Duration of Use
As we mentioned above, there are plenty of times where you may find yourself unexpectedly needing mats for a very short period that would make purchasing an unrealistic spend. For example, if you only need mats to facilitate the installation or removal of site assets, or to help your fleet move to a new location, renting may be a better fit overall, whereas if you plan to use mats extensively through this project, as well as subsequent work, you may wish to consider buying instead.
GFI Solutions offers flexible rental terms for your convenience and is happy to accommodate your rental schedule.
Flexibility
Renting affords undeniable flexibility, especially when it comes to preserving your budget. Even if you’re wanting to purchase sooner than later, it may not be feasible to drop a large sum upfront. In this case, renting presents a smaller upfront cost that also offers the potential for a 100% write-off. If you need a little more time to balance the books and get everything in the right order, rentals serve as a fantastic option for a wide variety of industries including oil & gas, construction, infrastructures and more.
Choosing the Right Partner
Renting mats can be a hassle if you don’t choose the right partner, and GFI is here to make sure that you avoid the pitfalls of subpar mats and site access services. We’re proud to work alongside businesses all across Canada to provide trustworthy solutions that include delivery, installation, tracking and secure storage, mat washing and everything in between. Our goal is to make sure that you have everything you need when it matters most, without having to overspend or waste time waiting.
Access Mat Rentals At GFI Solutions
GFI Solutions is proud to be Western Canada’s leading provider of matting solutions, including a wide variety of site-safe access mat solutions. With a dedication to providing exceptional customer service 24/7, our team is here to support clients across the region with all of their matting needs. Learn more by contacting GFI today!
Feb 25, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Spring is around the corner…are your job sites ready to tackle the challenges of winter thaw? GFI Solutions is here to ensure that you have everything you need to succeed this construction season, including readily available access to site safe access, crane, and rig CLT mats. Designed for unbeatable performance and safety, CLT mats are your first choice for secure and easy-to-navigate construction all year round. Read on to learn more about the benefits of CLT Rig mats, and why you need to partner with GFI today!
Performance You Can Count On
Whether you’re in the oil and gas sector, transportation, or power industries, knowing that you have a safe foundation is key. CLT access mats have quickly become the industry standard for access matting in heavy industries thanks to their ability to stand up to extreme demands and last from project to project. Made from high-quality Southern Yellow Pine lumber, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats outperform competitors in almost every single category including strength, longevity, and overall cost.
What’s the secret to the success of CLT access mats? Their unique design! Unlike bolted mats that use bolted fasteners to hold planks together, unintentionally creating focal points that lead to a higher chance of breakages, CLT mats are bound together using an environmentally safe adhesive. This process of binding mats together instead of bolting allows them to flex under pressure rather than cracking. This enhanced durability makes CLT mats ideal for use with cranes, rigs, and other heavy equipment that require extra strength to perform under pressure. CLT mats also help to increase on-site safety by removing the hazards presented by bolts, which can puncture tires, scratch your equipment, and ultimately present a risk for workers on site.
GFI Solutions maintains a regular stock of site safe CLT rig and crane mats including our CLT 300 and CLT 500 mats, both of which come in various standardizations as follows:
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
Partner with GFI Today
GFI Solutions is proud to be a Canadian-based supplier of leading right mat solutions, including site safe Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) rig mats. No matter where you are in Canada, you can trust GFI to bring you innovation, cost-saving benefits, and the best in quality access matting. With 24/7 support, same-day shipping and even turnkey services designed to get you up to speed, GFI always has you covered. Contact us to get more information about our CLT rig mats and safe access solutions today!
Feb 16, 2022 | Access Mats, News
With winter finally on its way out, it’s time to make sure that your swamp mats (more commonly referred to as access mats throughout Canada) are ready for peak construction during the summer months. Thanks to the superior strength and versatility of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats set up doesn’t need to be complicated. GFI Solutions is proud to be Canada’s leading source for site safe access mats and to assist you with all of your site access needs from delivery and installation to mat washing and storage.
Below, we’ll cover some basic tips for the upkeep of swamp mats to help extend the lifetime of your access mats and keep them in top condition from job to job. Read on to learn more!
Make the Right Selection
The number one way to ensure your mats last as long as possible is to select the right fit for the specific needs of your job site. For sites with heavy equipment or intensive hauling needs, for example, consider looking at easy duty mats like CLT 500 or 800 models that can handle the same capacity as rig or crane mats. When speaking with your dealer, be honest about the needs of your project, the condition of your job site. We’ll be able to help you find the best fit for your specific needs and advise you of any specific needs that you’ll want to keep in mind.
Installation
Choosing the right mats is key, but making sure they’re installed correctly is just as important. Mats that aren’t placed properly run a higher risk of breakages, and can lead to headaches in the long run. GFI Solutions is happy to offer onsite installation services all year round to make sure you can operate with full confidence and minimal issues!
Placement
Not unlike installation, placement plays a huge role in ensuring you get the most out of your mats. The superior performance of CLT mats hinges on the unique overlapping plank design of the timber, so making sure that these strong points are best leveraged after installation is vital for the best outcome. Your installation experts will make sure that everything is put where, and how it needs to be for success.
Monitor Vehicle Speed
One of the biggest onsite factors that can degrade your mats quickly is undue stressors like vehicle speed, especially if your fleet has chains on during the winter or other abrasive/impacting features that will put a strain on the wood. To reduce the damage caused by transport convoys, have your trucks reduce their speed and proceed carefully in areas where access matting is used; doing so will go a long way towards keeping things safe and strong.
Cleaning and Storage
Finally, once your job is complete, your next phase of maintenance should ensure that all mats are cleaned to avoid any chemical damage as well as the risk of cross-contamination. Storage will also play a part in avoiding damage from the environment, so having safe options in place should always be a priority for enhanced ROI on your swamp mat investment.
GFI Matting Solutions: Your Choice for Worksite Success
GFI Solutions is proud to offer full-scale worksite matting support, including rentals, sales, delivery, installation, and mat washing, Canada-wide. Our inventory of site safe swamp mats features both 300 and 500 series mats, the ability to customize as needed multiple sizes for all models for added convenience. In addition to a robust stock of in-demand mats, we offer 24/7 support, meaning you’ll always have access to the site access solutions you require. Contact us today to learn more!
Feb 16, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Spring is just around the corner, and with construction companies gearing up for build season, the time to set up for success is now. From procuring the right equipment to laying the right foundation to operate on, planning ahead is the best way to make sure your project proceeds according to schedule. GFI Solutions is proud to offer clients in the construction, Oil & Gas, and heavy industrial sectors access to leading CLT mat solutions they can count on. Cross Laminated Timber access and crane mats are one of the best ways to get your job site up to speed, comply with environmental protection standards, and avoid hazards that lead to costly delays. Below, we’ll discuss some of the perks of working with crane mats. Read on to learn more.
Taking a Closer Look at Site Safe CLT Access Mats
Access mats are designed to, as their name suggests, facilitate a safer and more efficient worksite. Canadian climate and geography can be rough on equipment and operators, so having a steady base (more on that below) is essential for safety and job site navigation. Access mats are great as temporary roadways, platforms and other needs as the weather changes and can prevent you from getting stuck in the mud—literally. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) has become the trusted industry standard for access matting and are able to stand up to the tasks typically handled by rig and crane mats thanks to their superior strength.
Benefits to using site safe CLT access mats on your job site include:
Easy Set-Up
We’re all on the go, and during construction season, the last thing you need is to face complication installation for your site solutions. GFI is proud to offer same-day shipping, as well as on-site installation to make sure you have everything you need correctly in place; saving time and reducing the margins for error along the way.
Protects the Ground
Environmental sustainability has risen to the forefront of the build process due to the many federal and provincial standards that are in place. Access and rig mats help to protect the landscape from the damage caused by hauling, chemical usage, etc.
Solid Base for Equipment
Heavy equipment like cranes and rigs can pose a significant risk to the environment, as well as to your crew members without the proper foundation in place to prevent them from sinking into the mud or sliding in adverse conditions.
Durable and Long-lasting
Cross Laminated Timber offers a vastly superior life cycle in comparison to traditional bolted mats, lasting roughly 3-5 times longer. This translates into better value for your company and gives you an important resource you can count on job after job.
Versatility
One of the best aspects of CLT mats is the immense versatility they offer on-site. From serving as a rig or crane platform to makeshift roads, safe storage solutions and more, the right fit can be perfectly customized for almost every application!
Need Access Matting Solutions You Can Trust?
GFI is here to help. With 24/7, 365 service, our team is here to ensure you have the support you need Canada-wide. Contact us today to learn more!
