10 Questions Customers Ask About Bog Mats & Crane Mats

When planning a construction, civil engineering, or utility project, site access and ground protection are two of the most important factors to get right. That’s where bog mats and crane mats come in. As a leading supplier in the UK, we often receive a range of questions from new and existing customers looking to understand which mats they need, how they’re used, and what they can expect from the process. In this guide, we’ve answered the 10 most common questions about bog mats and crane mats to help you make informed decisions for your next project.

1. What are bog mats?

Bog mats, also known as timber mats, ground protection mats, or EKKI mats, are large, heavy-duty hardwood boards used to create stable temporary surfaces. These mats are laid directly on soft or uneven terrain to support vehicles, machinery, and foot traffic. Primarily used in the construction, civil engineering, utility, and renewable energy sectors, bog mats serve several purposes:

They reduce ground disturbance
Create temporary access roads and working platforms
Protect sensitive environments from vehicle damage
Prevent equipment from sinking into soft ground

These mats are particularly effective in areas where conventional surfacing is not viable or where permanent groundworks are not permitted. Whether you’re working on a pipeline, wind farm, or construction compound, bog mats offer a practical, flexible, and cost-effective solution.

2. What are crane mats?

Crane mats are a specialist type of bog mat, specifically designed to support very heavy loads. As the name suggests, they are often used beneath mobile cranes, piling rigs, or other large machinery to provide a stable working platform. Crane mats are typically thicker and heavier than standard bog mats, offering superior strength and durability. Their design allows them to absorb substantial pressure, even in challenging ground conditions. This makes them essential when working on:

Heavy lifting operations
Projects involving tracked plant and piling rigs
Wet, boggy or unstable sites
Temporary works requiring ground stabilisation

If your project involves crane use or heavy plant movements, crane mats are the safest and most reliable choice.

3. What are the main uses of bog and crane mats?

Bog mats and crane mats are used across a wide range of industries and project types. Their most common applications include:

Temporary access roads: Laid over soft or sensitive ground to enable safe passage for vehicles and machinery.
Working platforms: Create level bases for cranes, piling rigs, or mobile plant to operate.
Ground protection: Prevent damage to grass, roads, footpaths, and underground services.
Event flooring: Used in outdoor event spaces to protect land from high footfall and heavy equipment.
Environmentally sensitive projects: Reduce disturbance in ecologically protected or wetland areas.

From construction sites and infrastructure projects to outdoor festivals and utility works, bog mats serve as essential tools for managing ground conditions and preventing damage.

4. What sizes are available?

At Birketts, we maintain a wide range of protection mats in stock to suit all types of ground conditions and project requirements. While custom sizing may be available on request, most customers choose from the following three standard sizes:

5m x 1m x 100mm: Ideal for general site access and light-to-medium-duty construction traffic.
5m x 1m x 140mm: Suited to heavier plant, wet or boggy terrain, and smaller crane operations.
5m x 1m x 200mm: Our main crane mat size, used for heavy-duty lifting or extreme ground conditions.

These mat sizes are manufactured for strength, efficiency in transport, and suitability across various ground types. For most clients, one of these three options will meet the project’s technical needs without delay.

5. What timber are your mats made from?

Birketts’ ground protection mats are manufactured from responsibly sourced hardwood timbers known for their strength and durability. This ensures reliable performance even under intense site conditions. We supply:

European hardwood mats, primarily made from Beech and Oak. These species are tough, reusable, and highly suited to the demands of the UK construction sector.
Tropical hardwood options, such as Ekki and Dabema, are also available for purchase. These offer superior resistance to wear, making them ideal for long-term or high-impact use.

Please note: tropical mats are not available for hire and come with a minimum order quantity. While we don’t regularly promote them, we can source them if requested. No matter which timber you choose, all of our mats are designed to perform in soft and sensitive ground conditions while remaining environmentally conscious.

6. Are your mats available for hire or sale?

Yes. At Birketts, we offer our full range of bog mats and crane mats for both hire and purchase.

Hire: Ideal for short-term projects or temporary access needs. Minimum hire period is two weeks. Suitable for contractors looking to manage costs or avoid long-term storage.
Purchase: A cost-effective option for businesses that require regular ground protection or want to invest in durable assets. Purchased mats can be reused across multiple jobs.

We also offer a buy-back scheme, giving clients the option to return mats when they’re no longer required. This flexible approach is especially popular among customers looking to balance investment with practicality. Please note: In Ireland, only purchase is available at this time due to our logistics setup.

7. How quickly can you deliver?

Birketts is known for fast, nationwide delivery across UK, with many orders fulfilled next day, subject to stock and location.

Our main stocking depot is located in Stratford-upon-Avon, where most deliveries are dispatched. We also hold smaller quantities at our Kent depot, which can be used for urgent or regional collections.

You can choose from the following delivery options:

HIAB (crane-offload): Ideal if you need mats unloaded directly on site without access to lifting equipment.
Flatbed trucks: Suited to locations where you have forklifts or telehandlers available.

Can I collect the mats myself?

Yes, you are welcome to collect your mats directly from our Stratford-upon-Avon depot. This is our main warehouse and holds the majority of our stock. Collections can also be arranged from Kent, but stock levels may vary, so it’s best to check in advance with our sales team.

How many mats fit on a delivery load?

Quantities per load depend on the mat size you choose and the type of vehicle used for delivery. Based on a standard articulated lorry (artic), we can provide a breakdown of expected load volumes upon request. This helps you plan your project more efficiently and avoid shortfalls on site.

8. Do you provide installation or offloading services?

Birketts does not carry out full on-site installation of bog mats. However, we can help you plan the most efficient and safe layout for your project. Our team will offer guidance on how to position the mats, how to handle them correctly, and what to consider when working with heavy machinery on different ground conditions.

However, we can arrange the most suitable vehicle based on your site setup. If you have offloading equipment, flatbed deliveries are a straightforward option. If not, we can supply HIAB vehicles that come equipped with crane offload. This makes the process quicker and safer for your site operatives. It’s all about finding the most practical option for your working environment.

9. Are bog mats environmentally friendly?

Yes, bog mats are considered an environmentally responsible ground protection option. They’re manufactured from sustainably sourced hardwoods and are designed to be used multiple times across different projects. By using timber mats, you reduce the risk of long-term ground damage. They help protect sensitive soil structures, minimise rutting and erosion, and offer a low-impact solution for temporary access. This makes them especially suitable for use in protected environments, wetlands, and areas where preserving the natural ground is essential.

Mats can be reused many times and, when maintained correctly, will provide effective ground protection for years. This not only reduces waste but also supports a more sustainable approach to managing heavy site activity.

10. How much weight can your mats support?

This is one of the most common queries we receive, and while it’s a fair question, there’s no simple one-size-fits-all answer. That’s because European hardwood mats are not formally tested or certified for specific load capacities. Performance depends heavily on the type of timber, the layout of the mats, ground conditions, and the weight and type of plant or machinery being used.

Can you advise what size I need?

We’re happy to provide information about the sizes available and their general use cases, but we don’t offer site-specific size recommendations. Every site is different. Factors like soil condition, weather, the type and weight of machinery, and expected traffic all play a role in choosing the right mat.

To be completely sure, we always recommend speaking to a temporary works engineer. They can assess your site and help you determine the safest, most appropriate size of mat to use. However, our sales team can still guide you on what is typically used for certain applications, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re unsure where to start.

Can I open an account with Birketts?

Yes, you can. If your business plans to work with us on an ongoing basis or across multiple projects, setting up an account makes the process quicker and easier for future orders. All we need is your company registration number to get started. Our sales manager will review your details and confirm account setup so you can begin placing orders directly and manage your hire or purchase activity more efficiently.

Still have questions?

Our friendly team is here to help. Contact us today to get a free quote, check availability, or speak with an account manager. Call 01789 549021 or email sales@birkettsbogmats.com for a personalised quote.

10 Bog Mat & Crane Mat FAQs Answered Clearly