accessories 

What a wooden house with a superstructure looks like: a mezzanine - what it is and how it differs from an attic. House with a mezzanine (photo): difference from the attic, construction, installation stages Design features of a house with a mezzanine

The mezzanine is often confused with the attic, but structurally these are different building elements. The attic is an equipped attic space in those houses where rafter system makes it possible to use the area for living quarters.

A mezzanine in architecture is a superstructure above a house that has its own roof. Such a structure is often located in the central part of the house. There are many configuration options for the roofing system, due to which it becomes possible to give the house individuality and zest. The shape of the structure can be built in the form of a rectangle, square, hexagon, cylinder and polyhedron. Often, the mezzanine has access to the balcony.

The built-on area is used as a living space or as a terrace. Often such an architectural structure is used for decorative purposes.

The use of mezzanine in construction was noted as early as the end of the 17th - beginning of the 19th centuries. The constructions adorned the estates of landlords and nobles.

Advantages of a mezzanine in construction

- the superstructure skillfully masks and gives additional fastening to the chimney;

- almost all installation is carried out through the attic, which eliminates the involvement of special equipment;

Read also: Subsystem for a ventilated facade: functions, device, materials used, installation methods

- does not put a load on the foundation;

— usable area is limited to a certain size, which prevents wasted fuel consumption in winter period;

- households have additional space for solitude and reading;

- a beautiful view opens from the window;

- the presence of such a structural element changes appearance buildings, giving it sophistication and presentability.

You can arrange a mezzanine already on the finished house. It is noteworthy that for the alteration it will not be necessary to make changes to the documents, and there is no need to obtain permits.

There are various nuances in the construction of the structure, so it is better to entrust the installation to specialists. The weak point in the superstructure are the places adjacent to the roof. Leaks are possible at the joints, but with correct installation such troubles are completely excluded.


Mezzanine construction

The mezzanine has a different configuration not only of the structure, but also of the roof. It can be single-sided and multi-tiered. If you use a combination of several types of roofs, you get a rather interesting architectural solution.

Large windows are also a characteristic feature. This provides good access to natural light in the room and the creation of a comfortable microclimate. A balcony with a remote or built-in structure gives a special charm to the building.


It is not required for the construction of the mezzanine a large number of materials, so reinforce bearing walls and the foundation is considered redundant.

Read also: Do-it-yourself roof construction

Comfortable and acceptable in operation are the dimensions of the superstructure:

- the height of the side walls must be at least 1.5 m;

- the height of the room in the center - within 2-2.5 m.

Mezzanines are sometimes built over garages. In these cases, it is rational to install the entrance on a separate staircase from the street.

An important role in the arrangement of the superstructure is played by the formation roofing cake. To cover the roof, materials that are resistant to ultraviolet radiation and temperature extremes are used.

It has become popular to use gypsum boards. They have good thermal conductivity, sound absorption. Among other characteristics: fire resistance, long service life, resistance to microbiological processes.

To prevent the formation of moisture in the superstructure, it is recommended to equip the room with ventilation.

The purpose of the mezzanine

Additional area can be used in different purposes:

- under the library;

- children's room;

- game;

- workshop;

- a bedroom;

- study;

- terrace, etc.

Stages of installing a mezzanine over brickwork

1. On the top row of masonry, mount a reinforced concrete monolithic belt with the obligatory installation of threaded studs.

2. Cover the surface of the hardened concrete with two layers of roofing material to create a waterproofing.

3. Cut out the wood details for the construction of the frame for the mezzanine.

on 05.05.2017 1,365 Views

Modern house with mezzanine

House with a mezzanine, what is it? This question is often asked by people who plan to build or buy their own home. Some confuse the superstructure with the attic. The structures have common features, but, in fact, they are not the same thing. The mezzanine was originally designed for living quarters and has its own roof. The attic is more of an attic, which can also be landscaped.

  • Mezzanine - what is it?
  • Roof construction options
  • Style selection

    • Stylish log house with a mezzanine

    Gothic mezzanine house

    House with a mezzanine and large panoramic windows

    Unusual frame house with mezzanine

    House with mezzanine and glass facades

    Mezzanine - what is it?

    People who are far from knowledge in architecture often ask the question: mezzanine, what is it? This topic, in the most accessible language, will tell the reader about the design features of houses with mezzanines, the advantages of such buildings and options layouts. The mezzanine is a superstructure above the house, most often it is located in the center, but has its own roof.

    From the room located in the mezzanine, there is usually an exit to the balcony. This building can have a different shape:

    • square;
    • rectangle;
    • hexagon;
    • cylinder;
    • polyhedron;
    • cross.

      • But most often the mezzanine is made in the form of a regular square. The built-in floor, as a rule, is functional, however, it can also be decorative. Despite the fact that houses with mezzanines are one-story buildings, they have significant advantages over typical one-story buildings. So, what is the mezzanine? The photos below will best answer this question.

      House with mezzanine by the sea

      beautiful house in classical style with mezzanine

      House with a mezzanine above the garage

      house in scandinavian style with mezzanine

      What are the advantages of a house with a mezzanine?

      A house with a mezzanine is endowed with many advantages, some of which should be highlighted in particular. In order for the stove in the house to have good draft, the length of its chimney must be at least five meters. The mezzanine superstructure allows you to place a long pipe in its space that does not require additional stretch marks.

      It will be much cheaper for the owner to insulate that zone of the ceiling above which the mezzanine rises. In turn, this lightens the load on the foundation, which prolongs the life of the entire house. For the construction of the superstructure, only two small areas require scaffolding, all other structural elements are mounted from the attic level.

      Stylish and modern house with mezzanine floor

      House with a mezzanine sheathed with siding

      The excess area that is inherent two-story houses, is missing here. Accordingly, the cost of heating in the winter is reduced. If there is no need to use the add-in during the cold season, so as not to waste heat carriers in vain, it can simply be temporarily closed.

      If one of the residents needs to retire, best place than a room in the mezzanine, not to be found. There is no fuss or noise here. Such an environment is favorable for mental work and good rest.

      Advice. Since the superstructure area does not depend on other rooms (the stairs to the second floor are usually located at the back of the house), the mezzanine can be rented out to tenants. And the current taxation system classifies a house with a mezzanine as a one-story building, which makes it possible to save on tax.

      Bright contrasting house with a mezzanine

      House with mezzanine and narrow windows

      Attic and mezzanine - differences in designs

      Some people unknowingly confuse the mezzanine with the attic. These architectural elements have common features, but still they are not the same thing.

      What distinguishes an attic from a mezzanine?

    • The attic roof is sloping, while the mezzanine roof is straight. For this reason, a long stay in attic room may cause discomfort.
    • The main purpose of the attic is the attic. And it is not always converted for living. Mezzanines are erected after the house is ready. Their main function is living space, although sometimes superstructures are made exclusively for decorative purposes.
    • The roof of the attic is also the roof of the house, while the mezzanine has its own.
    • The walls of the mezzanine run vertically up to a certain level, and then smoothly pass into the roof.

      • The difference between a mezzanine and a simple attic is also in good natural light. If during the construction of the superstructure the masonry rises vertical walls, the window area can be increased by an additional vertical frame, which is a continuation of the original window opening. Thus, a figured window appears in the interior.

      One-story house with a mezzanine in a classic style

      Cosy cottage with mezzanine

      In addition to external attractiveness, custom windows let in much more light than the usual rectangular window systems. Natural lighting in the overbuilt floor is no worse than in the main premises of the house.

      In the 19th century, all noble estates were equipped with a superstructure located in the upper part of the house. In fairness, it should be noted that recently the attic floors are becoming more and more elite.

      Thanks to the mezzanine, the useful area of ​​​​the house is significantly increased and used more rationally. This design is especially in demand in houses with high ceilings. To build a superstructure, the owner of the house does not need to obtain an appropriate permit, which simplifies the procedure and reduces costs.

      Today, mezzanines are popular for creating storage facilities in which it is convenient to store any materials and goods. Multi-storey system storage mezzanines allows you to sort goods into categories, making them easy to find.

      Modern house with a mezzanine and a terrace on the lake

      Beautiful Vacation home with mezzanine

      Roof construction options

      The roofs of such houses can have different configurations - from primitive flat or gable, to original and bizarre. The most common is a gable roof, installed using hanging rafters.

      However, this design is not without drawbacks. The small height of the vertical fence requires the construction of side walls for the superstructure. In this case, a significant part of the attic space (the one located behind the sidewalls) remains unclaimed. It can be used to equip miniature pantries, but it is not suitable for housing.

      In elite houses, sloping rafters are used for built-on floors, and the roof is usually made single-pitched. Sometimes they resort to a combination of single and gable roofs. Due to the presence of a bay window in the structure of the house, which is the basis for the superstructure, it can be completely placed under one slope. Under the hip hipped and semi-hip roof, the rooms are spacious and comfortable. The owners of small houses will suit the roofs of a broken configuration.

      Advice. To create a fancy roof, which are domed and pyramidal polygonal structures, it is necessary to involve professional architects. An extraordinary approach to design will provide the house with a unique image and special appeal. These options, as a rule, are resorted to by the owners of elite housing.

      Multi-pitched roof in a house with a mezzanine

      Bright house with mezzanine

      Gable roof with hanging rafters

      Hip hipped roof

      Layout and design features

      The layout of a large country house with a mezzanine can be designed so that the bathroom on attic floor only residents will use it, and for guests a bathroom and toilet will be arranged on the ground floor. For space planning, it is not necessary to look for complex design moves.

      Ideally, the layout of the rooms is designed so that from the hall you can get into the living room and the dining area, which are also interconnected by a door. With such a layout, even members big family will not interfere with each other.

      To make the mezzanine space as useful as possible, it is recommended to observe a height of 1.5 meters when building side walls. Thus, the total height of the superstructure should be 2.5 meters.

      Mezzanines are sometimes located above the garage, then you can enter the room directly from the street along a special staircase. The built-in room can perform the function gym, home cinema, workshop or billiard room. It all depends on the needs and preferences of the owners of the house.

      The arrangement of the roofing pie should be taken very seriously. Errors when choosing roofing material will lead to the appearance of condensate on the walls and ceiling, which in winter will freeze and form a layer of frost.

      round living room with spiral staircase to the mezzanine floor

      Modern interior with mezzanine

      Roof tiles can be:

      • metal;
      • flexible;
      • ceramic.

        • The main thing is that the structure of the material is resistant to temperature changes and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The types of tiles listed above can regularly serve from 10 to 25 years.

        When creating a roofing pie and insulating the walls of the superstructure, it is advisable to use gypsum-fiber boards. In addition to good heat-insulating and sound-absorbing characteristics, GVL has fire resistance and durability. The material is not afraid of dampness or fungus with mold.

        To avoid in the mezzanine floor high humidity should be equipped with a ventilation system. If it is necessary to install forced ventilation, it cannot be neglected. Such foresight will protect the roof and walls of the house from premature decay.

        Advice. When buying mezzanine wall materials, preference should be given to those that are considered safe for the lower floor and base. As a rule, these are light chipboards, fastened with a thin metal profile.

        Small house with mezzanine

        Stylish Scandinavian design in the design of a house with a mezzanine

        How to equip the upper half-floor

        The rooms created on the mezzanine can have different purposes, but most often they make a bedroom for adult residents or a guest room on the upper mezzanine. However, if the owners plan to equip a nursery or study here, this option also has a place to be.

        In the superstructure, you can also equip:

      • billiard room;
      • library;
      • workshop for creativity;
      • spacious bathroom.

        • Moreover, the residents of the mezzanine can exist autonomously from the rest of the inhabitants of the house. This is facilitated by the presence of its own dressing room, a separate bathroom and an entrance directly from the street through the stairs.

        A small kitchen can be placed on the mezzanine floor

        Mezzanine, furnished as a home office

        Cozy living room under the roof on the mezzanine floor

        Room decoration tips:

        • Furniture for the mezzanine is best purchased to order according to individual sizes. Built-in structures will have to be abandoned, here they will be out of place.
        • It is not worth saving on lighting in the overbuilt floor. Natural daylight should also enter the room unhindered. Good lighting will help level out all the defects and shortcomings of the interior. For decoration, it is recommended to use light shades, which should be present both in furniture and in textiles.
        • Even if the room has ledges or niches, this inconvenience can be corrected with a combination of shades. This means that furniture and walls should be designed in the same way. color scheme and in the same style. In such a situation, the most advantageous material is wood or wooden lining.
        • The use of light colors is also preferable because the roof slopes have the ability to visually reduce the space. If the residents of the mezzanine want to diversify the interior with vibrant colors, it is best to paint bright color only one of the walls, and make the rest pale.

          • Retro living room with mezzanine

          Mezzanine in a private house, equipped as a small bedroom

          Spacious mezzanine of a private house, furnished as a living room

          Style selection

          In the same way as the range of rooms is wide by purpose, it is also huge in terms of style. To create a pleasant interior, you can use any design direction. The main thing is to make the room original and as comfortable as possible.

          If you plan to place a kitchen or bedroom on the mezzanine, you should look at the Provence or Country style. Minimalism is more suitable for a study, the same goes for a room for a child. Eco-interior is acceptable for any spaces.

          Rustic style in the design of a bedroom with a mezzanine

          Private house with mezzanine in eco style

          Loft style in the design of the mezzanine

          You can use the usable area in the mezzanine as you like, provided that the configuration characteristic of the superstructure is presented in a favorable perspective. In other words, the advantages of the room must be emphasized, and the disadvantages should be carefully minimized. The gallery of presented photos will help in creating a unique interior.

          Regardless of whether the house with a mezzanine stands alone or is located among other private properties, it is a real decoration and pride of the owners. Only an indifferent person, completely devoid of taste and creative imagination, can pass by such a house and not admire its architecture.

Mezzanine - what is it? This word is often found in old books and sounds like it is understood by everyone. Perhaps it used to be so, but today this term is forgotten and almost never used. The situation when the phenomenon is, but how to call it - is unknown. Let's figure it out.

In contact with

Mezzanine - what is it

What is a mezzanine house? A question that has sounded millions of times after seeing the title of the famous Chekhov story. And far from always he received a clear answer, although the mezzanine was very widely used in the architecture of the last century. It was an object of a kind of luxury, symbolized the wealth of the owner and emphasized the sophistication of his taste.

Meanwhile, there is nothing complicated here, it is - superstructure over the middle part of the house, having its own roof and side walls. A feature is its central, symmetrical location, most often directly above the main entrance.

A mezzanine appeared in the middle of the 19th century and served as decorative element, highlighting the houses of landowners, merchants or officials. The prototype was the famous lighthouse, which had very similar functions and structure.

The dimensions and specific location of the mezzanine limit its use, leaving the functions of an office, bedroom or something similar, although for big houses, where the area of ​​​​the superstructure was quite impressive, the choice of use cases was much wider (for example, they let tenants live there).

Design features of a house with a mezzanine

As already mentioned, the mezzanine is a superstructure located in the central part of the house, the floor for which is most often the ceiling slab of the upper floor. It is a superstructure, and not a whole attic converted for housing.

Attention! The standard dimensions of such superstructures were about a third of the total width of the building, and the height corresponded to the height of the floors.

This was done to preserve the external proportions of the house. The concepts of "" and "mezzanine" are often confused, the differences between which lie in a practical plane. The attic has a more functional purpose, it is a warmed, finished attic, turned into a living space. The mezzanine is originally a living space, although not the largest or most important. The mezzanine in architecture played a more decorative role, which did not prevent its use for some practical purposes - for example, as an office or bedroom.

Is the mezzanine floor

Home owners often wonder if a mezzanine is the floor of a building.

Some sources use the term "semi-floor", which does not bring any clarity. Others use the term "mezzanine floor", which is even more interesting.

In any case, it is not a full-fledged floor..

Sometimes another name is used - a one and a half-story house. That is, the superstructure is considered as a half-floor in a house with one or more full-fledged floors.

Benefits of a mezzanine house

The mezzanine provides an opportunity to get a separate secluded room. This is very valuable for people in creative professions who need to disconnect from everyday life for work. Besides, wooden house with a mezzanine is beautiful, traditional and helps to distinguish the building from many similar buildings. There are also more prosaic advantages, for example, the possibility of a stronger fortification chimney, the absence of excessive heating costs, which is very important for Russian conditions.

How is the mezzanine used?

Use - the prerogative of the owner of the house. The add-on can perform any function, if it is convenient for residents:

  1. Cabinet.
  2. Workshop.
  3. Library.
  4. A room with various auxiliary functions.

The choice of the best option for themselves belongs entirely to the owner of the house, there can be no special instructions in this regard. The minimum height of the mezzanine usually allows you to create rooms in it with various possibilities of use, higher buildings make it a completely versatile room.

In general, the functionality of the superstructure is exactly the same as any other room in the house, given the location and the associated restrictions associated with it, such as the undesirability of placing some kind of noisy equipment, exercise machines or other devices that disturb the peace of the inhabitants of the lower floor.

Is it possible to make a mezzanine in the apartment

An apartment with a mezzanine is an original and very interesting solution. At the same time, it should be understood that In this case, the use of the term is conditional, since we are talking about a completely different design.

This refers to the creation of an additional level that allows you to divide the space of the apartment into tiers.

Another name for such a structure is more accurate - a mezzanine.

In order for the creation of this design to be possible, an apartment on the top floor with a high ceiling height of about 5 meters is required, otherwise the mezzanine above the base will rise to too low a height, creating unpleasant feeling"pressure".

How to decorate the interior of the mezzanine

Important! Mezzanine can be issued different ways. The design approach in this case is not limited to anything, especially since the design and functionality itself create a wide field of activity for imagination and experiments with space or surroundings.

Depending on the size and functions that the mezzanine performs, the interiors can match the general style of the apartment, creating an integral look of a spacious multi-tiered dwelling, or, conversely, have one that emphasizes the isolation and secluded nature of the room. With a sufficient size, an almost full-fledged apartment can be formed.

Mezzanine in architecture

Recently there has been a revival of the old architecture. The simple and rather boring buildings of the Soviet era are being replaced by more picturesque mansions, decorated with various elements.

Houses with a mezzanine have again become widespread, the design of which is moving from the category of rarities into the category of quite ordinary ones.

You can see such a superstructure in its classic form in many old Russian estates.

Google on request gives a lot of pictures where you can see various options decoration of mezzanines with balconies, small and larger, of various shapes.

Technical characteristics of storage mezzanines

There is another meaning of the term. This is warehouse mezzanines - specific designs, which are expanded and. They can be positioned as a free-standing structure, and are available with cantilevered wall mounts. The point is that warehouses usually have high ceilings, and for a more rational use of volumes, multi-tiered structures are required. Standard feature set:

  1. Column spacing (distance between supports) - up to 12 m.
  2. Number of levels - up to 5.
  3. The height of each level is up to 4 m.

For the convenience of loading and unloading operations or accounting, a pedestrian flooring is being constructed.

Features of traditional Russian architecture, somewhat forgotten in the Soviet period, are reborn in modern world. The use of mezzanines in construction is a vivid and illustrative example of this. The continuity of cultural tradition is important for everyone - both for young people and for people of a more mature age, it strengthens the connection with the past and unites people.

What is a mezzanine? The mezzanine is small size, built on the roof of a residential private house with separate walls and windows (in other words, an extension to the attic).

The beautiful, airy building has long been associated with the patriarchal life of the Russian suburbs, manor estates, picturesque suburban buildings, and is an integral part of the “romantic realism” painting style.

Often artists from different countries they painted a mezzanine in their paintings, where they depicted the interiors of fictional or real streets.

Design features

The mezzanine is usually located in the middle of the roof, which allows you to increase the useful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe house. In form, it can be:

  • square;
  • hexagonal;
  • rectangular;
  • cylindrical.

The roof of the extension has a steep slope, it can be single-pitched, double-pitched, combined, multi-level. Often such a room is equipped large windows with glass inserts above the window openings. In some cases to front side the mezzanine is attached to a remote-type balcony.

What advantages does

This extension has many advantages:

  • large windows allow for natural light in the interior of the room;
  • increase total area dwellings without additional load on the foundation;
  • the mezzanine can be used as a room for any purpose: an office, a library, a bedroom, a nursery;
  • with its help mask and strengthen the chimney;
  • for the construction of this type of superstructure, it is not necessary to use special equipment, since all work is carried out through the attic;

The mezzanine gives the general appearance of the house extraordinary features, it opens beautiful view from the window. In France, such extensions were rented by students for living, and in Russia they began to be used everywhere in the 19th century as part of wooden and stone houses. Most often, the mezzanine had three windows, its own roof and gable.

How it is applied and formalized

You can use such a room as:

  • cabinet;
  • game room;
  • workshop;
  • libraries;
  • summer bedroom;
  • children's room;
  • warehouse space;
  • recreation areas;
  • billiard room;
  • bathroom.

The mezzanine can be equipped as a guest room or as a separate living space for tenants, since the tenants in it can exist autonomously from a common house. Especially if it has a bathroom, a dressing room and a separate entrance from the street.

Advice from the editor: when arranging a mezzanine, it is better to use furniture made to order according to individual sizes. This will make it possible to take into account the non-standard of the room, to make its interior space comfortable and convenient.

To decorate the room, it is better to give preference to light shades. This will help hide defects, shortcomings in the interior, visually increase its area.

Differences from the attic

An attic is an attic space located directly under a high roof, where windows are most often built in.

The mezzanine is a superstructure above the house with own roof, windows, gable. The following design features can distinguish them from each other:

  1. Roof. At the attic it is inclined, and at the mezzanine it is straight.
  2. Application. The attic is used mainly as an attic, and the mezzanine as a living space or as a decorative decoration of the house.
  3. The mezzanine has the best natural light.
  4. The attic is being built simultaneously with the house and is an integral part of it. The mezzanine can be completed in an already finished building.

How you can arrange a house with a mezzanine, see the following video: