Dec 11, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Need access mats that can stand up to the toughest of challenges? If you’re tired of dealing with heavy bolted mats that cost an arm and a leg to ship and need to be replaced consistently after demanding jobs, it’s time to make a change. For crane and rig matting solutions you can count on, GFI Solutions is proud to be Canada’s exclusive provider of Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® CLT access mats for both rentals and sales. Learn more about the benefits of CLT crane mats below!
The Revolution Has Begun
If you’re ready to make the shift away from traditional bolted mats, you’re not alone. While it’s no secret that timber mats have been a trusted staple across the industry, bolted matting has left a few performance points lacking. Because bolted mats are made from a mixture of hard and softwoods that are not held to any specified standards, their durability can often be inconsistent and lead to sudden fractures when facing the strain of cranes or heavy machinery. Add in the fact that timber mats take multiple truckloads to transport and require a complicated installation process to get up and running, and it’s not a surprise that many project managers are eager to find a more simplified and reliable solution. Enter CLT mats.
As an innovative new solution available on the market, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are made with the intention to address each of the above issues, while offering superior and long-lasting performance, as well as a significantly lighter weight profile (up to 40% less than bolted mats). With the ability to ship up to 60% more mats per haul and a life cycle that lasts 3-5 times longer even under heavy demand, CLT crane mats have become the go-to for industry leaders in the oil & gas, petrochemical, and power sectors.
How They Work
The key to the superior performance of CLT mats comes down to their composition. Unlike traditional bolted mats which are created using a mix of wood fibres and steel bolts to create fixed points, cross-laminated timber mats are made from southern yellow pine and bond alternating perpendicular layers of wood together with an environmentally safe adhesive that helps keep the mat strong, as well as protected from outside factors like moisture and contaminants. This process of binding planks together creates a far more flexible mat that is able to disperse the weight of heavy loads evenly across the entire surface, reducing your chance of sudden breakages and allowing for exceptional performance in the longterm. Additional benefits of CLT mats include:
- Life cycle that is 3-5 the length of traditional mats
- Easy installation
- Can haul more mats per transport load
- High impact resistance, and more.
Heavy Duty Crane Mat Solutions At GFI
GFI Solutions carries TerraLam®’s 500 series access mats, which feature 2 lengths; 4 feet (TerraLam 504) and 8 feet (TerraLam 508), both of which are lighter and stronger than comparative timber mats. The innovative cross-grain technology allows them to outperform competitors all while saving you money on hauling and installations costs. Learn about our available products and services including sales and rentals, mat washing, installation, and more by contacting GFI today.
Oct 22, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Are you in need of heavy-duty site access solutions that can handle the rugged Canadian landscape, changing weather patterns, and the demand for heavy equipment travelling over the top of your makeshift road day in and day out? Frustrated with the shipping costs and challenges presented by traditional bolted mats? It’s time to join some of the biggest players in the Oil & Gas, Petroleum, and Construction sectors and make the switch to CLT rig mats.
GFI Solutions is Canada’s leading provider of site access products and services and is your exclusive source for TerraLam® CLT access mats, including their 500 series rig and crane mats. We’re proud to offer customers across the nation access to our turnkey services including mat rental and sales, delivery and installation, and more. Learn more about TerraLam® crane mats, as well as GFI’s rental solutions, below.
CLT Access Mats: Lighter, Tougher, Stronger
It’s no secret that oak bolted mats were once the industry staple where rig and crane matting needs were concerned. While these steel-framed mats can offer decent performance, many customers are now growing frustrated with the heavy costs associated with hauling, as well as the mats’ tendency to breakdown rapidly past a certain age point.
To address these concerns and provide a more viable option, Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) were created and have since taken over as the leading choice by many engineers and project managers. In addition to weighing up to 40% less than standard bolted mats and offering a life cycle that is 3-5 times the length, CLT mats are extremely flexible, which makes them ideal for heavy applications as required by rig and crane operations. Best of all, you can expect to garner huge savings where shipping is concerned as the lighter weight of each mat means you can haul up to 25% more mats per load.
How It Works
The secret to the success of CLT matting comes down to their unique design and construction process. Unlike traditional mats, which are crafted from various woods like oak or other mixtures and then bolted together, CLT mats are created by bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood (Southern Yellow Pine) together with an environmentally safe adhesive. This method makes CLT flexible and able to disperse heavy loads without sudden failures, which in turn helps to mitigate the risk of costly replacements mid-way through your project.
Meet GFI Solutions, Your Source For Site Access and More
GFI is proud to be one of Canada’s most trusted sources for site access solutions. Our team knows how important it is to have solutions available round the clock, and offers 24/7 rental and sales support as well as Canada-wide delivery and installation for your convenience. Whether you’re looking to test out the durability of CLT mats before buying or need to replace failing mats in the interim, GFI is here to help. Contact our team today to learn more.
Aug 31, 2020 | Access Mats
Tired of traditional bolted timber crane mats not quite meeting your expectations on the job site? Hoping to save time and money on shipping without sacrificing quality or performance? CLT crane mats are the ideal solutions for heavy-duty projects found in the oil & gas, petroleum, construction, energy and related sectors. GFI Solutions is Canada’s leading source for site access solutions, including CLT crane and rig mats. Learn more about the benefits of CLT mats, as well as the TerraLam® 500 model below.
It’s Time For A Change
It’s no secret that the power and pipeline industries have long relied on bolted matting as their source for site access solutions. While these kinds of mats do play a role in helping to make remote locations more accessible, the common assumption that they are the strongest option available is incorrect. In actuality, bolted mats are created from a mixture of hard and softwoods with no specific standards in place to help moderate quality. In addition, due to their heavier and larger size, they often take more trucks to transport and stress fractures are common at the bolted points with exposure to pressure. Add in a complicated installation process that can take a considerable amount of time, and it becomes clear that bolted mats are cumbersome and costly to deal with over time.
A Better Way Forward
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats take the benefits of timber mats and expand upon them for superior performance and durability. Unlike bolted mats, CLT mats are created by using an environmentally safe adhesive to bond together alternating perpendicular layers of wood for unmatched strength and safety. Engineered to flex under the strain of the weight of heavy loads, CLT mats are 40% lighter than traditional oak mats and allow you to ship up to 25% more mats with every load, saving you time and money. With multiple models available, each designed to have a life cycle that’s 3-5 times longer than traditional matting, CLT mats are a worthwhile investment for any job.
Meet The TerraLam® 508
Weighing the same as a 4-foot timber mat, but offering superior strength and durability, TerraLam 508® matting is suited for use as both a crane or rig mat. Easy installation will save you time and money, and the lighter weight of the mat means you can save up to 50% on freight. Built to embody all of the benefits of CLT mats, TerraLam® mats are among the best in the industry and are trusted by professionals in a wide range of heavy-duty sectors.
GFI: Your Partner in Site Access Solutions
At GFI Solutions, our first priority is supporting our customers. We offer 24/7 service for rentals and sales to keep you moving. In addition to mat sales and rentals, our solutions include:
- Turnkey services
- Inventory management
- Manufacturing
- Delivery& Installation
- Mat washing
- Planning & consultation, and more.
For more information on leading access mat products throughout Canada, contact GFI today.
