Proudly Serving
ONTARIO'S COTTAGE COUNTRY
THE GREATER TORONTO AREA
& PARTS OF NORTHERN ONTARIO
Visit our service area page for more info.
About Us
Babin Ironworks is a family-owned company driven by a skilled team with diverse expertise, delivering projects with precision and creativity. Specializing in steel and glass, our work reflects a commitment to durability, functionality, and aesthetic excellence. From modern designs to timeless creations, every piece is a handcrafted work of art that makes a bold statement and becomes the centerpiece of any space.
We are passionate about creating exceptional steel staircases and railings that redefine strength, innovation, and elegance. Our work is a fusion of durability and beauty, ensuring each piece not only transforms its surroundings but also leaves a lasting impression. With an eye for detail and a dedication to excellence, we deliver creations that inspire, captivate, and endure for generations to come.
Visit our about page for more info.
Our Focus
We conceptualize, design, fabricate and install exclusive steel staircases that blend durability with unique and elegant design. From modern dual-stringer and closed-stringer staircases to striking floating and mono-stringer designs, every creation showcases precision and creativity. Whether it's a sleek switchback staircase or a grand cantilevered masterpiece, each staircase is thoughtfully tailored to align with your vision, making it a standout feature in any space.
Visit our staircases and railings pages for more info.
A Small Glossary of Terms
Here are some definitions to help you better understand our industry and the materials we use.
- Wrought – To be worked/crafted into a desired outcome.
- Iron – A naturally occurring base metal. "a strong, hard magnetic silvery-gray metal, the chemical element of atomic number 26, much used as a material for construction and manufacturing, especially in the form of steel." - from Google: Define Iron
- Wrought Iron – "a tough, malleable form of iron suitable for forging or rolling rather than casting, obtained by puddling pig iron while molten. It is nearly pure but contains some slag in the form of filaments." – - from Google: Define Wrought Iron
- Cast Iron – "a hard, relatively brittle alloy of iron and carbon that can be readily cast in a mold and contains a higher proportion of carbon than steel (typically 2.0–4.3 percent)." - from Google: Define Cast Iron
- Steel – "a hard, strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used extensively as a structural and fabricating material." – - from Google: Define Steel
- Mild Steel – "steel containing a small percentage of carbon, strong and tough but not readily tempered." - - from Google: Define Mild Steel
The History of Iron
Now that those terms have been explained, here's our brief summary of the history of wrought iron...
Without delving into the early days of humanity's discovery of fire and its eventual mastery over iron, let's begin with Cast Iron. This form of iron, known for its brittleness, is melted and poured into molds, then left to harden. Blacksmiths would work with cast iron while it was still hot and malleable, shaping it through repeated heating and hammering to create Wrought Iron. The term "wrought" itself means "worked by hand," a nod to the craftsmanship involved.
Wrought iron became a foundational material, used for various purposes, including the production of steel. However, steel manufacturing in its early days was an expensive and inefficient process. As a result, steel was reserved for specialty purposes, while wrought iron remained the go-to material. This changed dramatically in the mid-1800s with the advent of industrialization and innovations in steel production, such as the Bessemer process, Siemens-Martin process, and Gilchrist-Thomas process, which significantly improved the efficiency and quality of steel production. These advancements brought about the widespread adoption of mild steel, gradually replacing wrought iron on a commercial scale.
To quote an excerpt from the Wikipedia page on steel: "With the invention of the Bessemer process in the mid-19th century, a new era of mass-produced steel began. This was followed by Siemens-Martin and then Gilchrist-Thomas processes that refined the quality of steel. With their introductions, mild steel replaced wrought iron."
Today, wrought iron has been largely supplanted by mild steel in commercial applications. However, the term "wrought iron" endures as a tribute to the artistry and craftsmanship of steelworkers who design and create custom works of art. If you'd like to delve deeper into the history and meaning of wrought iron, you can start here: Wikipedia on Wrought Iron.
What's in a Name?
Over the years, the term "wrought iron" has been subject to a variety of interpretations and misnomers, such as rod iron, rot iron, cast iron, malleable steel, mild steel, and ornamental iron, among others. In addition, modern products like galvalume, aluminum or tubing railings have often borrowed the name to describe their own materials. This has led to some confusion, particularly regarding the durability of wrought iron finishes, as these imitation products often fail in dramatic and unsightly ways due to their thin materials and improper finishing techniques.
It's important to highlight the durability and reliability of the finish on our steel products, which are designed to stand the test of time with proper care and maintenance. The reality is that the finish on any metal product—whether it's steel, aluminum, or wrought iron—can oxidize if damaged and the underlying material becomes exposed. When this happens, the exposed metal will inevitably begin to rust, a natural process that affects all metals when subjected to the elements.
The key difference between a reliable solution and one prone to failure lies in the product's structural integrity and proper finishing techniques. At Babin Ironworks, we take pride in building our products with solid steel bars and thick-walled structural steel, ensuring exceptional durability and longevity.
Interestingly, some clients specifically request unfinished pieces, embracing the rustic, aged look reminiscent of traditional wrought iron. For those who appreciate this timeless aesthetic, natural oxidation develops into a unique patina, becoming an intentional and striking feature that adds character and charm to the design.
Shipping Across North America
Although headquartered in North Bay, Ontario, Canada we manufacture and ship our products across North America. Our products can be seen all over Canada and the United States.
Below is a listing of a few of the many locations we've served.
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Ontario: Manitoulin Island French River Sturgeon Falls North Bay Callander Powassan Muskoka Simcoe Algonquin Highlands The Almaguin Highlands Trout Creek South River Sundridge Burks Falls Huntsville Bracebridge Gravenhurst Dorset Port Carling MacTier Magnetawan Parry Sound McKellar |
Port Severn Georgian Bay Kawartha Lakes Midland Penetanguishene Tiny Wasaga Beach Collingwood Blue Mountain Orillia Schomberg Innisfil Barrie Markham Vaughan King City Aurora Newmarket Richmond Hill York Toronto |
New Brunswick: Fredericton Moncton Saint John Nova Scotia: Halifax Cape Breton Sydney Dartmouth Yarmouth Prince Edward Island: Georgetown Newfoundland: St. John's Quebec: Montreal Sherbrooke |
Manitoba: Winnipeg Brandon Saskatchewan: Regina Alberta: Fort McMurray Edmonton Calgary British Columbia: Kamloops Kelowna Vancouver Surrey Prince George Nanaimo Revelstoke Victoria |