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.
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!
