5 Cost-Saving Benefits of Access Mats in Construction Projects

5 Cost-Saving Benefits of Access Mats in Construction Projects

Whether big or small, construction projects have their share of difficulties.

One frequent problem is going over the budget. Unexpected hold-ups, damage to the ground, or heavy equipment getting stuck can all lead to extra expenses.

Access Mats in Construction Projects

But what if there was an easy way to stop these issues and keep your project on schedule? Of course, there is! Access Mats – the crucial tool for construction sites. These adaptable mats can be used as temporary roads, work areas, drilling platforms, and more. They not only offer stability and protection for your site but also help you avoid expensive delays and damages. 

Access mats provide temporary surfaces for vehicles and machinery to move around easily without even harming the ground. So, even if your construction site is muddy, uneven or, it needs a solid surface to run cranes or trucks – access mats are the perfect choice. 

Now, take a look at how these mats can help avoid going over budget.

Prevent Expensive Ground Repairs

When large machines travel over bare/unprotected ground, they can create deep tracks, compact the soil, and harm the environment.

Fixing the ground after a project can be very costly. Using access mats helps by providing a strong, protective surface that spreads out the weight and pressure, keeping the ground safe. This reduces the need for expensive repairs at the end of the project.

Avoid Equipment Delays

When equipment gets stuck in mud or rough areas, it can mess up your project timeline. When machines stop working, progress slows and costs go up. Using access mats gives you a solid, flat surface, which lowers the chance of equipment getting stuck and lets your machines move easily, even in tough conditions.

Prevent Weather-Related Delays

Your project can’t wait on bad weather. However, rain, mud, and other conditions can make it very difficult for vehicles and workers to move around the construction site. Heavy rain and muddy conditions lead to delays, missed deadlines, and of course, increased costs.

Using access mats can eliminate this costly risk. Access mats provide a stable surface that does not get affected by the weather, allowing work to continue even in challenging conditions. Using access mats will help you stay on schedule and avoid costly downtime.

Quick Site Setup and Removal

In construction, time is valuable. Access mats are easy to install and remove, helping you quickly create temporary roads or work areas. The ease of use means you can start your project sooner and finish it faster, avoiding any extra delays that could increase costs.

Extend Equipment Life

Rough or uneven ground can harm your equipment, causing more frequent repairs or replacements. This can become costly over time. Access mats -offer a safe, flat surface for your machinery to work on. This smooth surface reduces damage to tires, engines, and hydraulic systems. As a result, the equipment lasts longer – saving you money on frequent repairs and replacements over time.

Benefits of Access Mats in Construction Projects

Bottom Line

If you have a project, you need to consider buying or renting the best-quality access mats for construction sites? Contact GFI Solutions LTD today!

While we offer traditional bolted douglas fir access mats we also offer many other access solutions. One of our solutions is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats which are made using advanced Cross Laminated Timber technology. That’s why these mats are 3 to 5 times stronger when compared to bolted mats. All our access mats are extremely durable, eco-friendly, and can withstand harsh conditions. 

Our standard mats measure 8 feet by 14 feet and are 5 inches thick. However, we can also create custom sizes to fit the unique needs of your construction project.

We offer both rental and purchase options for access mats including 3-layer SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats, 5-layer SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats, 7-layer SiteSafe™ CLT Access Mats, SiteSafe™ Rubber Access Mats, Traditional Bolted Access Mats, Rig Mats and Crane Mats.

Explore our full product range today at our website! Our experts can also guide you with installation, delivery, or cleaning services.  

Call us today!

Temporary Worksite Mats For All Your Matting Needs

Temporary Worksite Mats For All Your Matting Needs

Is your worksite prepared for this year’s sudden rainy summer weather?

Since May’s long weekend, Alberta’s seen heavy hails, thunderstorms and strong rain showers that have affected the terrain and caused uneven grounds throughout all worksites. Days that start out bright and sunny often turn cloudy, creating a light drizzle that seeps through the soil and leaves the landscape wet and muddy. With uneven and soft terrain, transporting materials and excavating grounds can be highly hazardous to your machinery and crew, especially if Alberta’s weather conditions affect your current access matting options.

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) worksite access mats will ensure the safety of your worksite and maintain the efficiency of your workflow. Customers in the power, oil & gas, forestry and construction industries rely on CLT products as their leading source for expert matting options. Read on to learn more about the numerous benefits of GFI Solutions’ temporary worksite access mats.

What Are CLT Mats?

Before diving into the benefits of CLT mats, we’ll quickly explain what CLT mats are and how they differ from traditional bolted mats. CLT mats are manufactured using a novel approach that engineers stronger and safer worksite mats than bolted mats. Instead of bolting planks of traditional Douglas Fir together, CLT mats are manufactured using Southern Yellow Pine wooden planks that are adhered together using an eco-friendly adhesive. This process makes CLT mats more flexible than bolted mats, allowing even distribution of weight throughout the entire surface and reducing the risk of breakage that might occur from concentrating the weights on the bolts instead of the mat.

Types of CLT mats

Given the strength of CLT mats, they are used in several matting options, including:

Worksite mats are generally used to create temporary roads over uneven grounds for workers and machinery to move seamlessly in and out of a job site. These mats are manufactured to handle a wide range of weights and can be customized to fit your worksite’s matting needs.

Rig mats or crane mats are very similar to access mats, but they are steel-framed to be primarily used for extremely heavy loads. For those working in the oil and gas or construction industry, rig mats are specially designed to carry heavy machinery like cranes, excavators, wheel loaders, track loaders, etc.

Portable access bridges are used in worksites that require crossing water, ditches and other environmental hazards that can hinder your workflow. TerraCross bridges are lightweight, can be delivered on a single truck and installed in as little as a couple of hours. Specs include:

TERRACROSS 40:

  • Weight Limit: 100 tons
  • Maximum Spanning Distance: 35′
  • Total Length: 40′
  • Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking

TERRACROSS 56:

  • Weight Limit: 65 tons
  • Maximum Spanning Distance: 50′
  • Total Length: 56′
  • Matting: TerraLam® 500 bearing mats and TerraLam® 700 decking

GFI Solutions: Your Exclusive Source For Matting Solutions

We are proud to be the sole Canadian distributor of Sterling Solutions’ range of access matting products, including their 300 and 500-model access mats, bridges and more! Contact our team today to rent or buy temporary access mats.