Bolted and CLT Matting Solutions in Calgary

Aug 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News

GFI Solutions is proud to present you Calgary’s best choice for rig mats; Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats. Our TerraLam mats are a comprehensive solution for all your matting needs. The access mats are engineered to be lightweight, robust and cost-effective and come in different sizes to fit your matting needs.

At GFI Solutions, we cater to our customers’ needs beyond simply supplying you with rig mats. Our matting expertise and excellent customer support will help you keep your project in scope. Learn more about our matting services below:

Inventory Management

In heavy industries such as the oil & gas industry, the use of access mats is necessary to support heavy equipment like cranes and rigs during the production process. The possibility of our CLT/bolted mats undergoing damage is slim, but possible, which is why we offer you the inventory management service to ensure the availability of access mats anytime you need them. We will work with you to ensure that an abundance of mats is available for any foreseeable problem.

Mat Washing

Spillage in the oil & gas industry happens more often than not, causing decay and damage to your mats from harmful substances. In order to increase the longevity of your access mats, we provide mat washing services to thoroughly clean your mats. Mat washing removes the risk of contamination and erosion to the hardwood, lengthening the lifespan mats and protecting your job sites.

Planning and Consultation

Whether you choose CLT or bolted mats, GFI Solutions offers you planning and consultation services to help you design the layout of your upcoming project. To ensure smooth production, our team of experts will work closely with you to plan and provide consultation on the number of mats needed, the placement of the temporary road and the emergency stock required. Our goal is to make sure the production process goes as smoothly as possible.

Manufacturing and Support

All our mats are manufactured in-house, allowing us to provide you with customized matting solutions if needed. We also offer the following standard options:

TerraLam® 300 – 8” x 14 long
TerraLam® 500 – 8” x 16” long
TerraCross® 700 – Spans Gap of 35′, Total system is 40′

At GFI Solutions, our team of experts is available for service and support 24/7, making sure all your matting needs are met instantly.

Ready to learn more?

Contact our team of experts today and request a quote for available rig mats in Calgary.

3 Factors that Make Bolted Access Mats Beneficial

Aug 4, 2022 | Access Mats, News

Access mats are portable platforms typically used to support equipment and workers in various industries, including resource-based extraction and construction. Traditional bolted access mats come with multiple benefits that project managers can utilize to ensure their worksites are safe, environmentally conscious, and accessible for workers and heavy equipment. As an Alberta-based company, GFI Solutions is proud to offer a range of access matting solutions, including traditional bolted mats and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats. With decades of experience under our belts, GFI’s team of experts can assist you in deciding on the type of access mats your project requires for a job well done. Below we’ll discuss three benefits of traditional bolted access mats. Continue reading to learn more!

1. Protects the Environment

Access mats are more than a temporary roadway; they also provide vital protection to the environment your project is working in. Access mats offer a layer of defence against damage and disruption from your project’s heavy equipment and workers. They do this by shielding the ground below from physical and chemical contamination. These preventative measures better allow your site to comply with environmental and remediation regulations. Since access mats are a temporary measure, when your project is completed, remediation is more accessible. This means you save time and money when using access mats on your project.

2. Protects Your Workers and Equipment

In addition to protecting the ecosystem your project is working in, access mats offer a stable foundation for your workers and heavy machinery. Inclement weather like heavy rain, sleet, and snow can make navigating isolated worksites a dangerous challenge. This is especially true for heavy equipment that can quickly sink into the mud and get stuck. Fortunately, access mats provide a foundation for your equipment to work on, preventing it from becoming entrenched in the ground below or tipping over. Access mats also provide your workers with a secure path for navigating your project site as they can prevent tripping and slipping hazards. When appropriately used, access mats from GFI Solutions can increase your project’s overall safety, giving you and your workers peace of mind.

3. Versatile Applications

Access mats are incredibly versatile and are utilized across numerous industries. Whether your project is working in the oil and gas sector, refinery, renewable resource, construction or some other industry, access mats will provide stability and safety. So if your project is looking for a safe way to navigate challenging terrain, GFI Solutions has the access matting you need. At GFI, we have a range of access matting solutions available, including rig and crane mats, CLT mats, access bridges, mat rentals and more!

Find the Access Matting You Need at GFI Solutions

At GFI Solutions, our team is ready to help you with all of your access needs. As one of Canada’s premier suppliers of access solutions, including CLT access mats, we are excited to work with you to ensure your project is safe and accessible. GFI is your trusted source for access solutions with 24/7 customer support, inventory management, turnkey services, and more. If you’re interested in knowing more about our offering of access mats, CLT mats, rental options, and more, contact our team today! GFI Solutions looks forward to partnering with you.

How to Identify High Quality Access Mats

Nov 12, 2021 | Access Mats, News

We’ve all been there, you order new site access solutions to help your project stay on track, only to find that the quality is lacking and you’re now facing sudden breakages that stand to put you further behind. Subpar matting solutions can put a massive strain on productivity, as well as your bottom line.

As one of Canada’s leading suppliers of access mats and site access solutions, GFI Solutions knows just how important it is to have products that you can trust to perform under pressure. We’re proud to carry industry CLT site access mats that make it easy to get the job done safely and with minimal delays thanks to 24/7 365 shipping. Our team is passionate about providing top-tier service as well as inventory, so you can always trust that our mats are ready to stand up to the test of time. If you’re in the market for new access mats, below, we’ll discuss 3 key aspects to look for when assessing quality, as well as the benefits of working with CLT mats. Read on to learn more!

1. Wood Characteristics

Both CLT and bolted mats are made from specific kinds of wood (typically Southern Yellow Pine for CLT and a blend of Oak and Douglas fir for bolted), and despite the differences in their composition, it’s important to take a close look at the overall characteristics of the wood used for your mats. Avoid any matting that uses dried wood and opt for mats made from fresher cuts instead, as the kinds of planks are far more likely to maintain their shape, strength, and integrity when exposed to the elements.

2. Board Quality

Similar to above, you’ll also want to inquire about board quality and keep an eye out for any visible defects such as splits, overly large knots, etc. Certain defects will indicate a greater likelihood of premature failures, while others, like knots or obvious uneven portions, can present tripping hazards or damage your equipment on site.

3. Placement and Design

Finally, take a step back and look at the mat as a whole. Does the placement seem solid and reliable? Your mat is meant to serve as a safe road on perilous terrain, and so placement and design is integral for success. Look at elements such as board spacing (are there any large gaps?), Overhang (is everything flush and even?), as well as finger length and positioning (is everything uniform?). If you find issues with any of the above, the mat may not be of the highest quality and likely isn’t worth your investment.

Why Choose CLT Access Mats?

Cross Laminated Timber differs from its bolted counterparts thanks to its unique method of construction. Instead of relying on bolts that lack the ability to flex under pressure, CLT mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with a special safe adhesive.

By bonding planks together, the mat maintains far greater flexibility in comparison to competitors as well as superior durability and strength. GFI Solutions is proud to offer industry-leading CLT access mats made with high-grade lumber that can be up to 30% harder than Douglas fir while also offering a lighter profile. This means that you can count on our access mats to stand up to even the most demanding of challenges posed by heavy machinery and tough work sites.

If you need site access mats that you can trust to perform, no matter the application, it’s time to partner with GFI Solutions. Contact us today to learn more!