Sep 3, 2021 | Access Mats, News
Need a heavy-duty solution that allows you to tackle the toughest of jobs and site locations with minimal hassle and workflow interruptions? As the heavyweights of the site access industry, rig mats make it easy to handle the unique demands of the oil & gas, utility, petrochemical industries and more. As one of the newer and most sought-after solutions on the market, CLT site safe access mats are more durable than their bolted counterparts and provide exceptional results you can count on.
GFI Solutions is proud to be one of Canada’s top suppliers of site access solutions and offers a vast inventory of CLT access mats suitable for use in heavy applications. Learn more about the benefits of rig mats, as well as partnering with GFI below.
When the Going Gets Tough…
When you need mats that can stand up to wear and tear, heavy loads and tough demands, you need CLT rig and crane mats. Unlike standard access mats, which are either made from bolted would planks or glued laminated timber, rig mats have an additional steel frame and use additional layers of wood to better handle the demands of heavier applications. Heavy-duty mats are specifically made to handle the challenges presented by handling the strain of rigs, cranes, excavators and other heavy machinery. In the process, you gain a much safer, as well as a much more efficient work site that’s equipped to handle day-to-day operations with minimal risk, as well as reduced strain to the environment.
Explore the Benefits of CLT Mats
As we’ve mentioned above, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) mats are a newer addition to the access mat market but have quickly made a name for themselves among the top leaders in the industry. This is because CLT mats take the basic foundation provided by old school bolted mats and improves upon their design to offer superior performance, better shipping rates due to a lighter weight profile, and a longer life cycle that lasts 3-5 times the length of competitors. CLT mats are created through the process of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with a special adhesive rather than the traditional methods favoured by bolted mats, creating a final result that is more flexible and can distribute weight evenly through the whole mat. GFI Solutions is pleased to offer the highest quality CLT mats, including a rig mat that comes without a steel frame. Our distinct CLT rig can be manufactured in any size and can be built 5-ply up to 13-ply depending on your needs.
Site Safe CLT Rig Mats and More at GFI Solutions
GFI is proud to carry site safe access mat products within our inventory, including 300 and 500 (heavy-duty) model access mats, access bridges, and more. Designed with the utmost of quality in mind our solutions make it easy to stay on track, all without costly delays or damage to your equipment. Our team of experts offers 24/7 support for all your site access needs. Contact us today to learn more!
Oct 14, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Are you in need of access matting that can stand up to the demands of the heavy industrial sector? Rig and crane mats are a vital resource for those in the oil & gas, petroleum, construction and related industries. Built to withstand the toughest of applications, rig mats are incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from forming temporary roads, pipeline terminals, preventing heavy equipment from sinking into the mud, and more. GFI Solutions is proud to be a leading supplier of site access solutions across Canada with an inventory that features exclusive access to Sterling Solutions’ range of TerraLam® products. As the world’s largest producer of access matting solutions, Sterling is known for exceptional quality and unbeatable performance, and TerraLam® CLT mats are no exception. Built from the highest quality Southern Yellow Pine planks, TerraLam®’s 500 models are perfect for heavy-duty applications. Learn more about the benefits of rig matting, as well as TerraLam® products, below!
What Are Rig Mats?
Though rig mats may be part of the site access solution family, they typically have a much more demanding job than standard mats. While both rig mats typical access mats are used to create roads and facilitate easy transport materials to and from a job site, rig mats are reserved for heavy loads and projects that require mats that can stand up to wear and tear, heavy machinery, and constant strain. In order to meet these standards, rig mats need to be sturdy, dependable, and long-lasting.
Why Use Rig Mats
As mentioned above, rig mats are ideal for the many challenges that are unique to heavy industrial purposes. Rig matting allows you to build structural roadways over gas lines, oil sources, or other areas that pose a challenge to your transportation resources., it can do much more for your project. For drilling rigs and other projects that involve heavy equipment, rig mats are also ideal as they allow you to support the intense weight without the fear of cracking or failure.
Meet TerraLam®
Sterling Solutions’ TerraLam® mats are made using the innovative Cross-Laminated Timber technique that involves bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood together with adhesive. This process allows CLT mats to flex with each load and evenly distribute weight across the entire surface, reducing strain and preventing breakages. As CLT mats, TerraLam® mats are 40% less than traditional bolted mats, and offer the following benefits:
- A lifespan that lasts 3-5 times longer than bolted mats.
- Almost doubling hauling capacity when mobilizing due to their lightweight. (Save time and money on shipping)
- Twice the strength of a traditional bolted mat.
- Adhesive lamination and wax sealer on all 4 edges repels moisture and rot.
- Suitable for use in extreme conditions, include heat and cold.
- Lack of bolts means less tire damage to transport vehicles.
With the 500 model built to stand up to the demands faced by rig and crane matting, you can rest at ease knowing you have the best solution for the job at hand.
Rig Mats at GFI
GFI is proud to be your first choice for site access solutions and maintains multiple yards throughout Canada including offices in Whitecourt, AB, Edmonton, Calgary, and Grande Prairie. Our team offers customers across Canada 24/7 support for sales and rentals, as well as site access services including inventory management, mat washing, expedited delivery installation and more. Contact our team today to learn more.
Jun 22, 2020 | Access Mats, News
Does your team need a heavy-duty, dependable, cost-effective option when it comes to access solutions? As a vital resource for any project in the oil & gas, mining, petrochemical, forestry, and construction industries, rig and crane mats are essential for site management and safety. As a much lighter alternative to traditional fir mats, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) access mats offer unbeatable strength and lower shippings costs among many other benefits to be explored. Learn more about these innovative products, including TerraLam®’s 500 series mats, below.
A New Path Forward
As one of the new innovations available from the matting industry, CLT solutions are designed using a process that dramatically improves upon the shortcomings commonly encountered with traditional mats.
Cross Laminated Timber is the result of bonding alternating perpendicular layers of wood with an environmentally safe adhesive to create each mat in comparison to the previous mode of creating bolted mats. One of the defining features of CLT mats is there ability to “flex” under pressure and distribute payloads evenly, reducing the chance of breakages and resulting in a much longer lifecycle (typically 3-5 times longer than average mats).
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.
What Are The Benefits?
CLT access and rig mats offer a wide range of benefits compared to traditional matting solutions. Advantages of choosing CLT mats include:
- Lightweight profile means that you can ship up to 25% 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
With an industry-wide reputation for exceptional products, it’s no surprise that Sterling Solutions’ line of TerraLam® products are among the best on the market. Crafted using the finest quality Southern Yellow Pine planks, each mat is meticulously tested to ensure optimal performance and longevity, allowing you to keep your project on time, and on budget, with ease. 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 proud to be an 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 Western Canada’s foremost choice when it comes to heavy-duty rig mat solutions and everything in between. Contact us today to learn more.
