May 13, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Need an access mat solution that can handle the demands of heavy-duty equipment like cranes and more? While there are plenty of options on the market, few mats can truly stand up to the wear and tear caused by industrial machinery over time. Rig mats are highly in demand due to their ability to cope with the strain caused by increased weight as well as constant use. Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® CLT access mats offers a cost-effective option that out performs most traditional products. Below, we’ll explore some of the general applications of rig mats, as well as the benefits of CLT access mats as offered by GFI. Read on to learn more!
What Are The Uses Of Rig Mats?
Before we dive into the applications of rig mats, it’s important to take a moment to address one of the most common points of confusion in the matting industry. If you find yourself struggling to distinguish between the differences in access mats, rig mats, and swamp mats, you’re far from alone. As these terms are often used interchangeably, there are frequent misconceptions about the specific applications for each. Below is a quick breakdown of each category:
Access Mats refers to matting solutions that can be used as makeshift roads in and out of a job site. Versatile in nature, these 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 tends to be popular in certain regions over others.
Rig Mats are another form of access mats, but their main function is to assist with extremely heavy loads and 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.
Knowing the difference between these two categories can help protect your job site and equipment, saving you time and money in the long run.
Why Trust CLT Rig Mats?
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are created via the process of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with a special adhesive to create the finished product. Compared to traditional bolted mats, CLT mats such as those produced by TerraLam® allow even distribution of weight throughout the entire mat, leading to less chance of breakage, even under the heaviest of loads.
Heavy Equipment Mat Rentals at GFI
As Western Canada’s leading source for access mat solutions, GFI is proud to be 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. Learn more about TerraLam® products by contacting our team today.
May 8, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Is your job site in need of access solutions to facilitate the safe and effective transport of goods and materials? Whether you’re facing the challenge reaching a remote location or need to compensate for changing terrain as the seasons shift, access mats are a crucial part of maintaining the workflow of your project with minimal disruptions and delays. GFI is proud to be Western Canada’s leading source of innovative access matting products. Our inventory features TerraLam®’s line of access mats solutions for sale and rentals across the nation. Below we’ll explore a few of the benefits of renting mats. Read on to learn more.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Access Mats
Tired of costly delays and issues tying up your project? Western Canada’s climate and terrain can be unforgiving on transport vehicles and machinery, leading to dangerous conditions and the potential for major mishaps. Acting as a makeshift road that you can depend on, access mats help overcome the challenges presented by the landscape, making it easy to stay on track and minimize risks around the site. With many different compositions and weight limits available from companies like GFI, finding a custom solution that fits the need of your project can be simple and allow you to get (back) to work in no time!
Rent Or Buy? What Options Works Best?
As any site manager will know, managing your expenses along every stage of a job is vital to success. While there are several factors that can influence whether or not buying or renting is best for your specific needs, there are multiple reasons companies may choose to rent over purchasing. These reasons include:
Accommodating A Short Term Need
If your project is near completion, or you will only need matting for a brief period to facilitate the installation/removal of key components, renting can help reduce costs as well as product waste by giving you the option to return the mats when you’re through. Many companies are flexible with their rental terms and can accommodate your schedule without a hassle.
Dealing With Sudden Weather Changes
Canadian Weather can be hard to predict, often leading to leading to unforeseen issues caused by excess precipitation that leads to mud and other topography shifts. Mat rentals can serve as a quick and easy way to overcome such challenges without putting your fleet at risk.
Try Before You Buy
One of the predominant reasons companies choose to rent mats as opposed to purchasing outright is the ability to test the quality of mats for future projects. Renting presents a smaller upfront cost and offers the potential for a 100% write off, whereas purchases require a larger investment. Whether you need a little extra time to garner the capital for a large scale purchase or are looking to avoid a long-term commitment, rentals serve as a fantastic option for a wide variety of industries including oil & gas, construction, infrastructures and more.
Access Mat Rentals At GFI Solutions
GFI Solutions is proud to be Western Canada’s leading provider of matting solutions, including TerraLam®’s range of comprehensive 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!
May 8, 2020 | Access Mats, News
With the spring season just around the corner across Canada, job sites across the nation are facing increased difficulty when it comes to accessing remote locations. Access matting provides a safe, reliable way to circumvent the challenges posed by mud, slush, and other conditions caused by the changing seasons and avoid costly delays. GFI is proud to be a leading supplier of TerraLam® Cross Laminated Timber mats, which have become the trusted standard by project managers in the construction, oil & gas, renewable energy, petrochemical, mining, power and related industries. Learn the benefits of using access mats, as well as TerraLam®’s innovative solutions, below.
Conquer The Canadian Landscape With Access Mats
It’s no secret that the Canadian landscape can be unforgiving when it comes to keeping major projects on track. Rugged terrain combined with rapidly fluctuating temperatures can lead to less than ideal circumstances for trucks and heavy equipment to navigate. Access mats serve a valuable asset that allows you to safely transport goods and materials from your job site with minimal disruptions as well as mitigating safety hazards caused by mud, ice, sleet, and other issues. With multiple compositions and weight capabilities, TerraLam®’s line of Cross Laminated Timber matting solutions offers superior performance, standing up to the demand of heavy loads and constant use and giving you the reliable path you need when it matters most.
Discover TerraLam® Matting Solutions
At GFI Solutions we’re proud to offer our clients access to the top matting solutions available on the market. That’s why our team is proud to partner with Sterling to offer their range of TerraLam® products. Engineered to be 40% lighter than traditional bolted mats, TerraLam® CLT access mats give you the benefits of exceptional durability as well as long term dependability and performance. The lightweight composition of the mat greatly increases your hauling capacity, allowing for the transport of up to double the normal amount allowed by bolted mats, which saves time and money. The unique composition of CLT mats (more on that below) allow for such enhanced performance that GFI is proud to stand behind their quality.
What Makes CLT Mats Different
The main advantages of CLT mats over traditional bolted mats are the result of the unique process that goes into construction. TerraLam® mats are crafted using the CLT method, which binds planks together using environmentally safe, structural adhesive instead of bolts. While bolted mats are only able to transfer the burden of a load at the location of the mechanical fasteners, adhered TerraLam® access mats distribute the weight evenly throughout the entire mat, giving it increased durability and flexibility to prevent breaking. This leads to increased performance and longevity, giving you an exceptional return on investment. When you need solutions that you can depend on from job to job, CLT mats are a clear contender for both performance and cost.
Want More Information?
Learn more about TerraLam® Matting solutions by contacting GFI today.
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.
