Apr 10, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Access mats are temporary portable solutions designed to help workers and heavy machinery navigate through Canada’s unstable terrain. Generally, access mats can be used in remote locations or on large worksites for temporary roadways, temporary staging yards and drilling pads.
Since access mats can be manufactured using a wide variety of materials and different compositions, the first step in choosing the right access mat is choosing the right material for your needs. Learn more about choosing the right access mat below!
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Access Mats
With the current technological advancements nowadays, GFI Solutions’ access mats are manufactured using our innovative Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) technology. Instead of fastening planks of wood together using bolts, CLT mats use an environmentally safe structural adhesive to bond the planks together.
Sustainable and Long Lasting Access Solution
While traditional mats use Douglas Fir, which grows to harvestable maturity in 80 years, our CLT mats are manufactured using Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine, which only needs about 20 years to grow to maturity. Not only is Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine much more sustainable than Douglas Fir, but it is also 33% stronger! Combined with our environmentally safe adhesive, our CLT access mats are three to five times more robust than our competition, offering you a sustainable and long-lasting access solution.
Lightweight and Cost-Effective Access Solution
Now that we’ve established the strength and durability of CLT access mats, it’s time to uncover their cost. As a project manager, the cost of access mats doesn’t only include the price of the product, but it also incorporates delivery, installation and removal costs. Since CLT access mats are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats, GFI Solutions can transport 72 CLT access mats per load, saving you up to 60% in transportation costs!
As our CLT access mats are lighter in weight, you can fit more mats on loaders and shuttle trucks, increasing your savings by up to 40% on installation and removal costs. When choosing GFI’s CLT access mats, you’re definitely choosing the more cost-effective option.
Bring Down Your Costs with Access Mat Rentals
Other factors that contribute to the cost of your access matting budget are washing, transporting and storing your access mats. As per Canada’s matting standards, used access mats must be properly washed and bleached to avoid cross-contamination. Once you’ve completed your project, why spend unnecessary amounts of time and money on cleaning, transporting and storing your access mats? With GFI Solutions’ access mat rental service, you can eliminate extra costs and only pay for what your project requires! Our access mat rental services allow us to take the responsibility off your hands!
Access Mat Rentals and More at GFI Solutions
As Canada’s leading supplier of access solutions, GFI Solutions offers a variety of access products and services to meet the demands of your project. Contact our 24/7 support and service team today at +1 (833) 434-6287 or fill out our online form with all your needs, and one of our matting experts will reach out to you as soon as possible!
Mar 30, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Are you looking for a site-safe access solution, but you’re not entirely sure which product best suits your project requirements? Learn about the most common access mating products.
Let’s Clear Up the Confusion
There are many site access products you can use to create a safe and robust makeshift road or ground protection platform for your heavy machinery and crew. Across all industries, access products are used to safely navigate the rugged Canadian terrain and overcome the challenges posed by unstable regions.
Since all access products technically provide ground protection on uneven terrain, customers often make the mistake of thinking that they’re all the same. However, there are significant differences in sizing, usage, material and pricing of access products. Below are the three most common access products you might come across:
Access Mats
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- Sizes:
- Material:
- Hemlock and/or Balsam Fir
- Sustainably Sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine
- Usage:
- Temporary access to navigate unstable terrain
- Temporary right-of-ways
- Temporary staging yards
- Portable platform used to support equipment
Rig Mats
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- Sizing:
- 8’’ Wide x 14’’, 16’’, or 18’’
- Material:
- Douglas Fir ( 3 or 4 rail steel beams and wooden inserts )
- Usage:
- Temporary stationary platforms to support large and heavy equipment
- Temporary foundations for large surface area applications
- Temporary heavy-duty ground protection for large working areas
Crane Mats
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- Sizing:
- 4’ Wide x 20’ Long x 12’ Thick
- Material:
- Usage:
- Temporary ground protection for heavy crane equipment
- Protecting the environment in industrial projects
- Temporary access to help heavy equipment navigate unstable terrain
CLT Mats: Lightweight Solution
As someone who’s been in the industry for years and managed numerous projects, you’re probably familiar with Douglas Fir traditional bolted mats. For the longest time, everyone relied on Douglas Fir traditional bolted mats to support their heavy machinery and crew in unstable terrain; however, with the introduction of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats, project managers have shifted to a more cost-effective and lightweight solution.
Unlike traditional bolted mats, CLT mats are manufactured using sustainably sourced Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine wood that is 33% stronger than Douglas Fir and other wood compositions. Instead of using bolts to fasten the wooden planks together, our CLT mats are bonded together using an environmentally safe adhesive that allows for even distribution of loads across the surface area, rather than fixating the weight only on the bolts. The strength and flexibility of our CLT mats make them 3-5 times stronger than traditional single wood or composite mats and offer maximum durability.
CLT Mats: Cost-Effective Solution
Our CLT mats are not only engineered to offer industries a lightweight and durable matting solution but they’re also designed to cut down unnecessary costs! With a lighter CLT mat, you can fit more mats on loaders and shuttle trucks, increasing your savings by up to 40% in installation and removal costs. We can also fit more CLT mats per load and save up to 60% on transportation costs. GFI’s innovative manufacturing process and sustainably sourced materials are designed to outperform traditional mats and offer you a lightweight and cost-effective solution!
Access Products and More at GFI Solutions!
As Canada’s leading distributor of access mat solutions, GFI Solutions is proud to offer a wide range of access mat products and solutions for all your matting needs! Our extensive inventory of access mats, rig mats, crane mats, swamp mats and more are available for rent and purchase, suitable for every budget!
Contact our 24/7 support and service team at +1 (833) 434-6287 or fill out our online form with details of your matting needs, and one of our matting experts will reach out to you as soon as possible!
Mar 30, 2023 | Access Mats, News
It’s no secret that Canadian winter is tough, especially throughout Northern and Western Canada. The inconsistent weather patterns can drastically change the topography in a matter of hours. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to predict the weather changes in Canada; therefore, you need to depend on robust and reliable temporary access mats to get you through extreme weather changes during Canadian winter.
While traditional temporary access mats were once the preferred option for projects across Canada, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats have started to increase in popularity. In fact, some of the biggest names in the oil & gas, construction, mining, petrochemical, renewable energy, power and other heavy industries replaced traditional bolted mats with GFI’s innovative and reliable Site Safe (TM) CLT temporary access mats. Learn more about the benefits of our CLT temporary access mats below!
How Are Cross-Laminated Timber Mats Manufactured?
Compared to conventional access mats, where wooden planks are fastened together using bolts, CLT wooden planks are laid perpendicular to each other and bound together face to face using an environmentally friendly adhesive. The process of cross-lamination allows the CLT mats to withstand the heaviest of weights while reducing the chance of breakage! But how?! Well, the adhesive used to bond the CLT mat together turns the mat into a solid piece of wood allowing for even distribution of weight across the mat. Bolted mats on the other hand take and disperse the weight through to the bolt points. Once a single bolt is broken, the mat’s structural integrity is compromised.
Durable Temporary Access Mats
It’s a common misconception that bolted mats are stronger and more robust than CLT mats as they are bolted together using bolts. Is an environmentally safe adhesive more durable than bolts? While bolted mats can, in fact, withstand heavy loads, they are much more likley to break and crack than CLT mats. Instead of evenly distributing the weight across the mat, the weight is only fixated on the bolt points. As the pressure is only focused on the bolts, the mat will crack and break at the bolt holes. CLT mats, on the other hand, are versatile and can safely flex under pressure, even with the weight of industrial machinery and heavy loads.
Long-Lasting Temporary Access Mats
CLT mats are not only more durable than traditional temporary access mats, but they are also longer-lasting! The environmentally safe adhesive combined with Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fiber creates longer-lasting mats that are 5X stiffer and 30% stronger than traditional bolted mats. Our CLT temporary access mats are engineered for maximum durability and will not diamond or deform if dropped or mishandled.
Cost Effective Temporary Access Mats
The lightweight of GFI’s CLT mats allows us to transport 72 mats per load, increasing your transportation and saving you up to 60%. Since CLT mats are 40% lighter than most traditional bolted mats, you will be able to easily fit more mats on shuttle trucks and loaders, saving you up to 40% on installation and removal costs.
Rent or Buy Temporary Access Mats From GFI Solutions
Contact us today to learn more about our wide range of temporary access solutions for your next project!
Mar 27, 2023 | Access Mats, News
When your project requires access matting, you need mats that will bring incredible value to your project’s bottom line. Fortunately, GFI Solutions is your source for industry-leading access solutions! Our team of experts proudly distributes reliable, safe, and high-quality access mats to companies and projects across Western Canada and nationwide. Regardless of the industry you’re working in, when you need access mats, you need ones you can depend on. At GFI Solutions, one of our most popular access matting products is our Site Safe Cross Laminated Timber mats. Next, we’ll tell you more about our Site Safe access mats and why you should switch and save with GFI Solutions! Continue reading to find out more!
Quality You Can Depend On
As a leading manufacturer and distributor of access solutions, GFI Solutions offers innovative and durable access mats suitable for numerous types of terrain. In particular, our Site Safe Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats are industry-leading access solutions as they outperform traditional bolted mats in many ways. From overall lifespan to transportation costs, installation, and more, GFI Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats are your top choice for high-performance temporary roadways, staging yards, drilling pads, work surfaces and other applications where you need a stable foundation. When your project needs high-quality access solutions, trust GFI Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats!
Access Products Built to Last
Part of what makes GFI Solutions‘ access matting stand out from the competition is that we ensure our access solutions are built to last. Most notably, GFI Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats are quality control tested to ensure their durability and overall performance. These access mats are manufactured through an innovative process that adheres Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine wood fiber together perpendicularly instead of using bolts. This process makes Site Safe CLT access mats significantly stronger than traditional bolted mats. Furthermore, since GFI Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats are not manufactured with bolts, these mats evenly distribute the weight of heavy machinery and equipment across the mat’s entire surface, making them more durable and flexible. So if you’re looking for an access mat that will last through even the most demanding applications, trust GFI Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats!
The Lightweight and Industry-Leading Option
One of the critical benefits of GFI Solutions’ access matting is that our Site Safe CLT mats are lightweight and easy to transport and install. The kiln dried lumber and eco-friendly adhesive used on our Site Safe CLT access mats significantly reduces the overall weight of these mats. At the same time, the wax sealer on all four edges provides a moisture barrier that reduces the risk of rot, decay, and cross-contamination. Moreover, since Site Safe CLT access mats weigh significantly less than traditional bolted mats, you can save up to 60% on transportation costs! If you need access matting that is lightweight and cost-effective, GFI Solutions’ Site Safe CLT access mats are your best option!
Access Mats and More at GFI Solutions!
At GFI Solutions, we proudly provide innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. In addition to our Site Safe CLT access mats, we offer a range of A, B, and C-grade bolted access mats, rig mats, access bridges, crane mats and more! Our inventory and value-adding turn-key services make GFI Solutions your one-stop shop for all your access solution needs. To learn more about our offering of access mats, contact our 24/7 customer service team today!
Mar 27, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Remote industrial projects are challenging, especially with Canada’s harsh and rugged terrain. When it comes to facilitating the transport of equipment and goods, you will need strong, durable and long-lasting access mats to ensure the safety and efficiency of your project. For those in the construction, infrastructure, oil & gas, mining and other heavy industries, CLT mats have become the go-to choice! Learn more about the benefits of CLT mats for industrial projects below!
How Are CLT Access Mats Manufactured?
While traditional access mats use bolts to fasten wooden planks together, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats are created using a unique adhesive to bond the layers of wood together. Unlike traditional access mats, where Douglas Fir is used as the wood fiber, CLT mats are manufactured from Long Leaf Southern Yellow Pine Fibre, which is lighter, stronger and more environmentally friendly than Douglas Fir. The process of bonding layers of Southern Yellow Pine wood fiber allows our CLT mats to outperform traditional botled douglas fir mats. Some of the benefits include:
Even though CLT mats are 40% lighter than regular bolted mats, they offer 30% more strength! They can easily and safely withstand the weight of heavy machinery, cranes, rigs, excavators and more!
The unique manufacturing process of CLT access mats allows for better weight distribution across the mat. Unlike bolted mats, where the weight is only focused on the bolts, CLT mats evenly distribute the weight across the surface to prevent breakage and maintain the smooth operation of your project.
A vital step in engineering Site Safe CLT mats is using a wax sealant and glue lamination to ensure maximum life longevity from rot and decay. CLT access mats offer twice the strength and are 5X stiffer than conventional bolted mats. If dropped or mishandled, CLT mats will not diamond or easily deform.
- Environmentally Friendly:
CLT access mats are designed to offer project managers and contractors an environmentally friendly access solution. Not only is the adhesive used to bond the wood environmentally safe, but Southern Yellow Pine Wood is also grown to harvestable maturity in 20 years. Instead of using strong metals and unsustainable wood, CLT access mats are manufactured with sustainability in mind.
At GFI Solutions, we understand that each project has its unique challenges, which is why we offer multiple CLT access mats suitable for your unique needs. Rather than settling for a one-size-fits-all access mat, you can choose one of our multiple sizes available or contact us for custom manufacturing.
Purchase CLT Access Mats Today!
GFI Solutions is proud to be Western Canada’s leading source for CLT access mat solutions! Contact our team to learn more about our matting solutions today!
Mar 27, 2023 | Access Mats, News
If you work in the construction, pipeline, civil engineering, power transmission or other industries that require safe site access mats, you know that not all jobs and job sites are the same. The type of access mating solution you need will not only depend on the type of project, but it will also depend on the project’s duration, the weather, maintenance and any other factor that can cause delays.
One of the most common factors that could cause delays during a project is supply chain and/or logistics. Oftentimes project managers either can’t find the right access mat for the job or are unable to purchase enough mats for the scope of the project. As a result, projects are delayed and extended beyond their specified timeline.
To avoid costly project delays due to a shortage of access inventory, GFI Solutions is proud to introduce our construction mat rental service. We understand the challenges that many projects face due to a lack of access mats, which is why we offer a variety of matting solutions available for both rental and purchase. Read on to learn more about our access mating solutions for remote worksites, including our rental service.
Rental Service:
Ground protection is essential in all remote locations, especially with heavy industrial projects. One of the most important factors you should consider before sending out an order for access mats is the duration of your project. Many access mating providers charge a daily rate for construction mat rental or set an amount for a predetermined rental period. To avoid any costs that may be charged for additional time, assess your project’s duration before contacting your ground protection provider.
At GFI Solutions, we offer different types of mat grades according to your mat needs. Depending on your project’s needs and the type of certain applications, you can rent or purchase A, B, or C grade mats. Contact our experts to learn more about our mat grading!
Delivery and Installation:
GFI’s Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats can save you up to 60% on delivery and 40% on labour. The unique process of manufacturing CLT mats results in a stronger and lighter product that can be easily transported to your worksite. Compared to traditional bolted construction mats, CLT mats are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats. Not only can we deliver up to 72 mats per load, but we can also fit more mats on shuttle trucks and loaders, which increases your savings on installation and removal.
Save Money and Gain Quality
With GFI Solutions, you will no longer have to worry about sacrificing quality for affordable matting solutions. We work closely with our partners to ensure that they receive the matting solution they need at an affordable price. Looking for an affordable and high-quality construction mat rental? Request a quote today!
