Apr 11, 2022 | Access Mats, News
Canada’s exclusive distributor of Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam CLT products, GFI Solutions, provides safe and innovative matting solutions to meet all of your matting needs. As we entered the matting market in early 2017, our team of expert engineers was faced with challenges associated with current matting options. Our primary focus when introducing Cross Laminated Timber access mats was providing a more robust matting solution that overcomes hazards from standard access mats.
Our TerraLam 500 CLT mat and TerraLam 300 CLT mat are engineered to be more durable and stronger than traditional access mats. They reduce damage and transportation costs and provide a safer worksite for machines and workers! Read on to learn more about solutions for common matting challenges.
Low Transportation Costs
Cross Laminated Timber access mats are lighter in weight, allowing you to fit more access mats per load. Our TerraLam mats are two-thirds the weight of traditional bolted mats, which enables the transportation of 72 mats per load, saving you up to 60% of transportation costs. If you’re currently trying to stay within budget, CLT access mats will definitely help you cut down on costs.
Lighter but Stronger
A common misconception is that the lighter the access mat, the more fragile it is. CLT access mats are lightweight; however, heavy machinery like rigs and cranes can seamlessly drive over without causing any damage or breakage. The following CLT rig mats are available at GFI solutions for your next project:
TerraLam® 300 CLT Specifications:
- 3-ply cross-laminated timber
- Southern Yellow Pine
- Weight: – 1,350 lbs.
TerraLam® 500 CLT Specifications:
- 5-ply cross-laminated timber
- All layers are made from Southern Yellow Pine
- Weight: – 2,667 lbs.
CLT access mats are engineered to allow rig mats more flexibility to evenly distribute the weight across the board, making them robust and durable.
Safer Worksite
Bolted mats can cause hazards in worksites due to gapping between wooden planks or damage caused by loose/damaged bolts. The gaps in bolted mats aren’t noticeable; however, they often cause injuries to workers due to constant tripping hazards. Loose and uneven bolts in mats are also dangerous for your crew as well as the machines as puncture injuries, or vehicle damage can be caused by bolts protruding out of damaged mats.
On the other hand, CLT rig mats guarantee a gap-less and bolt-free mat, safe for machines and crew members. The mats are bound together using a strong adhesive to ensure a smooth surface throughout the board. GFI Solutions is proud to offer you safe products for machines and your crew.
Ready For More Information?
Contact our team to learn more about TerraLam Matting solutions today! Feel free to call us anytime as we offer support 24 hours, every day.
Apr 7, 2021 | Access Mats, News
It’s time to trade in tough terrain and headaches for site access solutions you can count on. When your job site demands heavy-duty matting to keep up with the wear and tear of machinery and transportation fleets, you need products you can count on to perform under pressure, no matter the application. GFI Solutions is proud to offer industry-leading products, including exclusive access to Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® access mats. Constructed using game-changing CLT methods, TerraLam®’s mats are built to taking a beating without cracking under pressure. When the going gets tough, GFI is your first choice for dependable site access products. From the oil & gas industry in Calgary to mining and more Canada wide, we have you covered!
Meet TerraLam®
For years, heavy industry job sites have struggled to find adequate site access solutions. Between the difficulties caused by managing extremely heavy loads and the natural challenges of the Canadian climate and terrain, finding mats that stay tough when it matters the most can often feel like quite the tall order. While traditional bolted mats have served their purpose, they are prone to sudden breakages, and can often cost more with the need for constant replacement. CLT rig mats are designed to address such concerns and alleviate headaches by making sure you’ll always have a stable foundation to transport materials, as well as support heavy equipment. TerraLam®’s 500 series uses innovative CLT construction to create a product that stays strong under pressure and performs flawlessly time and time again.
WHAT ARE CLT MATS?
The evolution of site access solutions is here! Unlike their bolted counterparts TerraLam® Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are constructed using alternating perpendicular layers of wood that are then bonded with a special environmentally friendly adhesive for optimal strength and safety. The adhesive allows mats to flex with each load and distribute weight evenly as opposed to exclusively at bolt points, resulting in increased strength and longevity.
Key benefits of using TerraLam® CLT mats include:
- High impact resistance and durability.
- Increased life span (3-5 times that of traditional mats).
- Glue lamination and wax sealed on all 4 edges of the mat to make it less vulnerable to moisture and rot.
- Able to withstand the Canadian climate, all year-round.
- Solid matting top reduces tripping hazards, as well as the tired damage to vehicles.
- Lower shipping costs due to the lightweight nature of the mats (up to 60% more load capacity), and more.
TerraLam® CLT Access Mats at GFI
GFI is proud to be a full-scale solutions provider for the site access industry across Canada spanning key locations from Calgary all the way to the Maritimes. Our team offers customers access to 24/7 rental and sales service, as well as mat washing, installation, turnkey services, and more. Learn more about our products, including TerraLam® rig mats by contacting our team today!
Mar 9, 2021 | Access Mats, News
It’s time to get TerraLam® tough on heavy-duty loads!
If your project is in need of heavy-duty cost-effective matting solutions that can tackle demanding jobs? Rig and crane mats are an essential resource for projects and job sites related to the oil & gas, mining, petrochemical, forestry, and construction industries, allowing materials to reach their intended destination safely. As a much lighter alternative to traditional fir mats, TerraLam® Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats have become the go-to solution and offer unbeatable strength as well as lower shipping costs among many other benefits. Learn more about CLT products, including TerraLam®’s 500 series mats, below.
The New Standard
Despite being one of the newer innovations within the site access industry, TerraLam® CLT mats have quickly made a name for themselves due to their durability, longevity and cost-effectiveness. Designed to improve upon the framework of traditional bolted mats, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive. This bonding method leaves the mats far more flexible than their bolted counterparts and allows them to evenly disperse load stress through the entire surface, which makes them far less prone to breakages.
TerraLam® CLT Access Mats as offered by GFI solutions are crafted from high-quality Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre, which is 30% harder than Douglas Fir, the most common wood fibre used in the construction of bolted mats. This makes them ideal for heavy-duty jobs, even serving as rig and crane mats when needed.
Plenty of Benefits to Explore
CLT access and rig mats offer multiple benefits for job sites, including a lifecycle that lasts up to 3-5x longer than bolted mats. Key features and perks of choosing TerraLam® CLT mats includes:
- Lightweight profile means that you can ship up to 60% more mats per trip, saving money on transport costs.
- Versatile in application and able to withstand the demands of fluctuating climates year-round.
- High impact resistance
- Resistant to moisture and rot, and more.
TerraLam® CLT Access and Rig Mats
For the best of the best where performance is concerned, Sterling Solutions is your go-to manufacturer. Sterling’s line of TerraLam® products have an exceptional reputation for performance and are made from Southern Yellow Pine and are meticulously tested to ensure they are of the highest quality. The 500 series is suitable for heavy industry applications, including use as rig and crane mats, and more.
Want to compare CLT mats to timber alternatives? Check out this quick cheat sheet.
Discover Rig Mat Solutions At GFI
GFI Solutions is Canada’s exclusive authorized distributor of TerraLam® products, including access and rig mats, TerraCross® bridges, and more. With 24/7 access to our leading inventory, qualified team members and more. GFI is your top choice when it comes to heavy-duty rig mat solutions and everything in between. Contact us today to learn more.
Aug 25, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Need site access solutions that perform under heavy-duty applications without breaking the bank or falling apart? At GFI Solutions, we know that access mats are a vital part of staying on track and overcoming the many challenges presented by Canada’s terrain and shifting weather. Rig matting makes it possible to transport and support heavy machinery such as cranes, oversized loads, and more with ease. GFI Solutions is Canada’s leading supplier of CLT access matting solutions and is the nation’s exclusive source for Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® products. Made with high-quality Southern Yellow Pine fibres, TerraLam® mats offer exceptional durability and strength, as well as unbeatable ROI that helps protect your bottom line. Learn more about the benefits of CLT rig mats below.
A Newer, Better Way
As a recent addition to the site access industry, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) mats have become a preferred solution for those in the oil & gas, construction, chemical, infrastructure, and related sectors. With an end product that weighs up to 40% less than traditional mats, CLT mats give you the ability to transport up to 25% more units per load, saving you valuable time and money with each shipment. In addition, CLT mats have a life cycle that is 3-5 times longer than bolted mats and a superior strength profile due to their inherent flexibility (more on that below), all of which makes them ideal for heavy-duty applications.
The CLT Difference
A large part of what helps set CLT mats apart can be contributed to the unique design and creation process. CLT mats are made by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive, resulting in a lighter and more flexible profile that is able to bend with each load to prevent sudden breakages.
Made with Southern Yellow Pine Wood Fibre, which is 30% harder than Douglas Fir, TerraLam® CLT Access Mats are among the best available on the market and backed by the reputation for excellence held by its manufacturer, Sterling Solutions. The 500 series models are capable of standing up to a wide range of heavy applications, including acting as a foundation for cranes, and more.
Unparalleled Results
In addition to their unique structure, CLT mats offer a wide range of benefits to owners and renters, including:
- High impact resistance
- Glue lamination and wax sealed on all 4 edges makes it easier to repel moisture and rot.
- Suitable for use in extreme conditions, including heat and cold.
- Solid matting top reduces tripping hazards, as well as the tire damage to vehicles
- Cheaper to ship due to the lightweight nature of the mats (more CLT mats can be shipped compared to bolted products), and more.
CLT Rig Mats and More at GFI Solutions
GFI Solutions is proud to be Canada’s only source for TerraLam® products, and carries 300 and 500 series 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. Our team of experts offer 24/7 support for all your site access needs. Contact us today to learn more!
Jul 14, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Safety on the job site is one of the most prevalent concerns on any major project, but it becomes especially vital in heavy industries like the power and pipeline sectors where the use of machinery like cranes and the constant transport of significant loads are necessary. Without the proper resources in place, productivity can suffer and your crew, as well as equipment, can be put at risk. CLT Rig mats are a valuable asset that helps protect your worksite and equipment, as well as the environment surrounding your site. Learn more about the benefits of using TerraLam® CLT rig mats below.
Cross Laminated Timber: A Newer, Better Way
While traditional timber and bolted mats were once viewed as the standard for heavy-duty applications, more recent developments have been able to address many of the common issues found in bolted crane mats. One of the main factors that can lead to a short life cycle and less predictable performance, is the fact that timber mats are often made out of a mixture of both hard and softwood, with no specific standard in place to moderate the outcome. Cross Laminated Timber access mats, on the other hand are made of high-grade southern yellow pine fibres that is up to 30% harder than the Douglas Fir wood used for bolted mats. This makes CLT mats well suited for heavy-duty jobs and tough conditions.
Taking a Look Behind The Scenes
The source for the incredible strength and durability of CLT mats is the innovative process that goes into manufacturing. Cross Laminated Timber mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive to create each unit. This process allows the mat to evenly distribute weight throughout the entire surface of the unit as opposed to only the bolted points. This means that heavy loads are less likely to result in sudden breakages, and the mats can be repaired with ease should the need ever arise.
TerraLam® 500 Series Access Mats
As one of the most versatile and dependable solutions on today’s market, TerraLam® mats outperform competitors with ease. Manufactured by Sterling Solutions and distributed by GFI throughout Canada, TerraLam’s 5-layer 500 mats use CLT technology to tackle heavy loads from hauling, rigs, cranes, and more. Able to withstand tough climates and worksite conditions, these matting workhorses just don’t quit. From providing you with a reliable path for transporting good to and from your location to acting as a dependable foundation for vital equipment, CLT crane mats help keep every aspect of your project moving smoothly.
CLT Crane Mats At GFI
GFI is your leading source for access site solutions across Canada. Our inventory features the top products from both the TerraLam® matting line, as well as TerraCross bridges and more. With 24/7 service available for sales, rental, delivery, installation, mat washing and more, we’re proud to be your one-stop provider for all things access related. Contact our team today to learn more!
