Our Workshop

In Part 2 of our series on kit ladders vs. custom ladders, we’re tackling some of the key structural differences that we can provide that the kit ladder does not. For us here at Custom Ladder Company, it’s paramount that our ladders be convenient and safe to use for individuals of different abilities. We can change the steepness of our ladders to make them a little easier for kids and elderly folks to climb. We also build in small details like beveled steps with traction grooves to make sure every climb is as comfortable as possible.Check out our video for Part 1: Style & Design to learn more about how we can work with you to create a ladder that truly fits your space. Watch it here.Take a look at some of our recent ladder projects to get inspired. Get in touch if you’re curious about getting started on a custom ladder project today!

In Part 1 of our mini series on kit ladders vs. custom ladders, we wanted to tackle what we can provide that a kit ladder just can’t. One of the best parts of ordering a custom ladder is that it can be made to fit the interior design scheme of your space. It can be as modern or rustic looking as you want it to be. It can be made of the type of wood you like and finished with a paint or stain that goes with the rest of your decor. We can match paint and stain to ensure that your custom ladder goes with the flow of your interior design concept.Learn more about how we build our ladders to be more user-friendly than the kit in our next video. Watch it here.Check out our recent ladder projects for more inspiration. Get in touch with us to start working on your own custom ladder today!

When it comes to rolling ladders, there are a few ladder kits on the market that you can buy which give you the option to get a ladder “out of the box” and do a little bit of DIY. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing a kit ladder, but having worked with making modifications to these types of solutions, we’ve experience how limiting their design really is.Kit ladders come in just a couple of sizes, so you have to design your space around the ladder or make compromises on the way the ladder fits in with the millwork of the place you’re putting it. This can look a little bit mismatched and potentially cause installation challenges or damage to the ladder or your millwork over time.Why choose a custom ladder instead of a kit ladder? Here at Custom Ladder Company, we work to make sure that the ladder you’re getting fits your specifications to a T. Instead of getting a generic ladder out of the box that still needs (quite a bit of) work before it’s ready to be set up in your space, we can build you a ladder that fits right in the moment it arrives at your door. We work directly with you throughout the entire process to create a ladder that matches your space’s dimensions, your design style, what stain or paint finish you’d like, and what sort of hardware you’re interested in.When you get a ladder from Custom Ladder Company, you get a piece of unique furniture made in Canada with Canadian wood. Most kit ladders are made in China and don’t have traceable wood sourcing. Unlike kit ladders which are made with a CNC machine, we make each of our ladders by hand which means we can attend to every detail and provide you with a piece that you’ll treasure for years to come.Stay tuned for our video series on the differences between a kit ladder and one of our custom ladders. Part 1: Style & Design Part 2: User-Friendly Details Curious about getting a custom ladder of your own? Take a look at some of the ladders we’ve built for other clients in the past for more inspiration and get in touch to order yours today.

This week in the workshop…We’re mocking up a ships ladder in two parts for a cabin with a small landing and quite a narrow passage from one floor to the next. Ships ladders are somewhere between a set of stairs and a ladder. They are usually on the steeper side and work well for tight spaces where there’s not a lot of room to work with. We’ll be adding railings to this design once we move into production.Typically, a ships ladder would be a traditional height, much like a set of stairs up to an attic or roof hatch. Ships ladders also tend to have a set of railings on the sides, especially in commercial settings where ships ladders are used frequently by employees. Because they are so steep, that little bit of added security makes all the difference when climbing them.Custom ships ladders are great for lofts and tiny homes and can be stored vertically, similar to some of our other custom ladder designs. Ships ladders can really make a difference in a space and help you maximize the footprint of your home without compromising on navigability!Inspired by this ladder? Get in touch with us and order your own custom ladder today!

This week in the workshop…We’re putting together a maple rolling ladder with a bit of an interesting design. The client wanted to be able to reach through the ladder to access their upper cupboards instead of leaning to the side when they reach to get an item. By creating a gap between the last step of the ladder and the top crossbar (instead of adding more steps), there’s space to do just that. This gives the client more stability on the ladder rungs and reduces the risk of losing their balance.It’s really important to us to create ladders that are as functional as possible for every individual client. To the best of our ability, we want to ensure that ladders truly make spaces more accessible. We adapt ladder designs to accommodate different mobility needs. For example, reducing the incline on ladders for older folks or young kids. We can also add railings and select hardware that adds more stability to the ladder when it’s in use.Inspired by this unique ladder? Looking for something special to meet your needs? Get in touch with us to order your custom ladder today!

Custom Ladder Company is featured on Western Living’s website! We’re so excited to join the ranks of talented Canadian designers, makers, and decorators on the magazine’s (digital) pages.Here’s an excerpt of the piece: There’s something undeniably romantic about a rolling library ladder. Harkening back to an analogue era of rooms filled with books and candlelight, rolling ladders are evocative of slowness, quiet, and intentionality—feelings that can be hard to come by these days. In the modern home, a rolling ladder is the kind of unexpected detail that adds character and a sense of legacy to a space. And as it turns out, building something long-lasting is at the core of carpenter Phil Robinson’s vision for his business, Custom Ladder Company. Robinson began his foray into custom furniture in 2021 in his garage workshop in Calgary. He started upcycling family heirlooms and beloved vintage furniture into pieces that were more functional for today’s homes, selling his wares through Etsy. As a kid, Robinson spent a lot of time in libraries, absorbing their charm and immersing himself in the worlds between the covers of his favourite books. In the midst of upcycling furniture, he decided to make himself the rolling library ladder of his dreams. After posting the ladder on Etsy, the requests for custom ladders poured in. “The ladders took over,” Robinson remembers. Read the rest of the article here: One to Watch: This Calgarian Handcrafts Modern, Custom Rolling Ladders Read more