Jan 11, 2023 | Access Mats, News
Many project managers have a common misconception that traditional bolted timber mats are much more durable than CLT mats, as traditional bolted mats have been used on worksites for decades. While bolted mats have been the “go-to” access matting solutions for years, it is slowly losing popularity to CLT mats. Nowadays, CLT mats have become more in demand than ever before and are used in all access solutions, including access mats, crane and rig mats and access bridges!
GFI Solutions is proud to be Western Canada’s leading access mat solutions supplier, including a range of CLT access mats and access bridges. Being based in Whitecourt and having several offices across Alberta, including Calgary, Grand Prairie and Edmonton, we understand the challenges of finding the best rig mat solutions for Alberta’s extreme weather conditions. With the fluctuation of the temperature as we head into winter, heavy industries are on the lookout for durable, long-lasting rig mats that can withstand extreme weather changes while offering superior performance. If you’re looking for dependable rig mat options in Calgary, GFI Solutions has the product for you. Read on to learn more about our CLT rig mats and their benefits in industrial projects.
Heavy-Duty Rig Mats
GFI Solutions is proud to supply reliable matting solutions to many industries, including drilling, refinery, power sector, construction, oil & gas and more! Our team of engineers and experts have decades of combined industry experience that allows us to understand the importance of having safe transport and platform solutions at the worksite. When managing industrial projects, there is absolutely no room for error, especially concerning cranes and rig mats. No matter the application, you can depend on GFI’s CLT rig mats to support their weight. We take pride in offering customers safe site rig mats that can provide the safety and support heavy machinery requires at the worksite.
Outstanding Performance
CLT mats are manufactured using an innovative process called Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) that provides all matting solutions with the reliability and strength needed to support the heavy machinery and transportation of material in all industrial projects. CLT mats are engineered using an environmentally safe adhesive to bond the mats instead of bolting them together, allowing the weight of heavy equipment or materials to be dispersed evenly throughout the entire mat. The adhesive also creates a moisture barrier to protect the mat from rot and decay, as it provides an extra layer of protection.
Additionally, the CLT mats are manufactured from Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre which is around 30% harder than Douglas Fir used in most traditional bolted mats. With our CLT rig mats, you can save up to 50% on transportation costs and 40% on equipment and labour costs with faster installation! When purchasing or renting CLT rig mats, you are increasing the overall safety on the job site, avoiding costly accidents while maintaining outstanding performance.
Keep Your Project On Scope with GFI Solutions
At GFI Solutions, we not only offer customers innovative matting solutions, but we also provide them with professional matting services to help keep the project on schedule. Our services include:
- Inventory Management
- Delivery
- Installation
- Turn-key Services
- Mat Washing
- Planning and Consultation
- And more!
Our 24/7 support line will give you access to any of our services throughout the day across Western Canada, including Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton and more! Contact us today to learn more about our matting services and solutions.
May 5, 2021 | Access Mats, News
Safe, dependable, built to last: if you need reliable access solutions for the Oil & Gas, petroleum, construction, and rigging sectors in Calgary, GFI Solutions has you covered. As one of Canada’s leading suppliers of site access solutions, we’re proud to offer our clients in the prairies and beyond access to the top products and services you need to keep your project on track and on budget, all year-round. If you’re in search of matting that can stand up to the pressure of heavy loads, including rigs and cranes, we’re here to help. With a vast selection of site-safe CLT access mats readily available, we’re your #1 choice for site access solutions. Learn more below
It’s Time to Take the Lead
Tired of spending countless dollars and constantly having to stretch your budget to accommodate failing access mats that just can’t keep up from job to job? Wish there was a better way to ship to site quickly without burning a hole in your bottom line? Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are your perfect solution. Designed to improve the performance and longevity of bolted mats, these revolutionary site access pathfinders have taken the industry by storm and set a new standard of excellence for heavy-duty results.
Weighing up to 40% less than traditional mats without ever compromising on performance, CLT mats allow you to ship up to 25% more units per haul, ensuring you get the most bang for your buck and can get back to work as soon as possible. As an added bonus, CLT mats will last 3-5x longer than bolted mats, even when being used as a platform for rigs and cranes. Find out how in the next section.
What Makes CLT Mats Different
Wondering how a mat that’s so much lighter than the bolted mats you’re accustomed to could possibly outperform them by so much? The answer might be simpler than you think. The key to the performance and success of CLT mats comes down to both their design and method of manufacturing. Unlike bolted mats, which (as the name suggests) are made by bolting planks together, CLT mats are created through the process of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally The end result of the bonding process is a product that is flexible and able to evenly distribute weight through the whole surface of the mat. This flexibility helps to prevent sudden failures and allows mats to handle heavy loads with ease, job after job
In addition to their unique composition, CLT mats offer a wide variety of benefits, including:
- High impact resistance
- Suitable for use in extreme conditions (perfect for the Canadian climate)
- Cheaper to ship due to the lightweight nature of the mats, and more.
CLT Rig Mats and More at GFI Solutions
GFI is proud to carry a wide selection of site-safe CLT access mats in multiple lengths and weights. Designed with the utmost quality in mind, our mats allow the perks of CLT mats to shine, and with our experts always ready to help, you can count on us to have your back. Contact us today to learn more!
Feb 3, 2021 | Access Mats, News
GFI Solutions is your first choice when it comes to site access solutions all across Canada. With an inventory that features the top products from the industry leader Sterling Solutions, our team is proud to help clients in the oil & gas, mining, forestry, construction, and related heavy industries create viable temporary access solutions and offers both sales and rentals of access, crane and rig mats for your convenience. As Canada’s exclusive source for TerraLam® access mats, including their heavy-duty 500 line, you can count on GFI to help you get where you need to go. Learn more about TerraLam® mats, as well as GFI’s rental solutions, below.
TerraLam® CLT Mats: The New Way Forward
If you’re tired of wasting vital funding on access matting solutions that are prone to breaking between projects, you’re not alone. While traditional bolted mats have been the standby for years, their heavy shipping costs and tendency to crack under pressure have left many looking for a better solution. In a bid to address these issues, TerraLam® Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats were designed to improve upon the groundwork left by bolted mats. With a profile that weighs up to 40% less than bolted mats and a lifecycle that’s 3-5 times longer, TerraLam® CLT mats offer superior performance and ROI, regardless of if you choose to rent or buy. As one of the most preferred brands on the market, Sterling’s line of TerraLam® mats offer exceptional value, and the 500 series is capable of tackling the toughest jobs typically reserved for rig and crane mats. Best of all, the lower weight of TerraLam® mats means you’ll be able to save significantly when shipping your mats to the site, with each load being capable of carrying up to 60% more than standard bolted mats.
Discover the Difference
CLT rig and access mats differ from bolted mats due to their unique composition and manufacturing process. Unlike bolted mats, TerraLam® CLT mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. This composition allows the mats to flex under pressure and evenly distribute weight rather than putting stress on specific bolt points. This flexibility allows for superior durability and performance, even under heavy loads, project after project. The 500 series is a 5 ply CLT available in multiple sizes and is well equipped to handle heavy machinery, cranes, and the various demands as faced by those in the oil & gas industry. If you require even more strength we also offer the 700 series which is a 7 ply CLT.
GFI: There When It Matters Most
With decades of combined experience in the access solutions industry under our belts, GFI knows just how important it is to have access to reliable, cost-effective solutions when it matters most. Our commitment to our customers extends well beyond offering superior products to exceptional round the clock service. From 24/7 rental and sales support to inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation and more, GFI Solutions is here to ensure that your project has everything you need to continue on schedule. Whether you’re looking to test out the durability of TerraLam® CLT mats before buying or need to replace failing mats, we’re here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.
May 27, 2020 | Access Mats, News
In need of fast access to access matting solutions you can count on? Whether you need access to heavy-duty problem solvers like rig and crane mats or need standard mats to help pave the way across unforgiving terrain, GFI Solutions is here to help. As Western Canada’s top source for access mat rentals and sales throughout regional hot spots like Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, and more, our team is proud to be an authorized distributor of Sterling Solution’s range of TerraLam® access mats. With a product line that features the latest innovations in CLT matting, TerraLam® solutions are able to stand up to even the heaviest of tasks. Learn more about TerraLam® mats, as well as GFI’s rental solutions, below.
Introducing CLT Mats: A New Solution To Common Problems
As a relatively new, but increasingly preferred option in the matting field, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats have established themselves a strong competitor to traditional bolted options. Weighing up to 40% less than standard bolted mats and offering a life cycle that is 3-5 times the length, CLT mats give investors superior value regardless of whether you choose to rent or buy. With the heavier duty models capable of tackling traditional jobs held by rig and crane mats while still offering a lighter profile that allows for more mats to be shipped per load (up to 25% more), all while granting twice the strength of other options, it’s no surprised that CLT mats are becoming the go-to standard for heavy industry job sites.
How It Works
Cross Laminated Timber mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive to as opposed to the traditional bolted methods. Part of what makes CLT mats stand apart from competitors is their ability to evenly distribute weight throughout the entire mat, which leads to superior durability and performance, even for the heaviest of loads.
TerraLam® CLT Access Mats are among the best available and are made with Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre, which is 30% harder than Douglas Fir. This makes them ideal for standing up to the toughest of jobs over long periods of time.
GFI: There When It Matters Most
With decades of combined experience in the industry under our belts, GFI Solutions understands just how important it is to have access to reliable, cost-effective solutions when it matters most. Our commitment to our customers extends well beyond offering superior products to exceptional round the clock service. From 24/7 rental and sales support to inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation and more, GFI Solutions is here to ensure that your project has everything you need to continue on schedule. Whether you’re looking to test out the durability of CLT mats before buying or need to replace failing mats, we’re here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.