A mezzanine — also called an entresol — is an intermediate floor that covers only part of the space below. It is a raised floor inside a tall room, reached by a fixed stair, that provides extra usable space without filling the whole level. In modern construction, “mezzanine” is the most common term for this idea.
Applications
A mezzanine is found in:
- Industrial halls — extra office or storage above the working floor
- Shops — extra sales area or storage
- Lofts — sleeping area above the living room
- Theatre halls — gallery or technical level
- Heritage buildings — as a low intermediate floor between ground floor and piano nobile
Entresol versus mezzanine
In practice the terms are largely interchangeable. A subtle distinction:
| Entresol | Mezzanine | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | French (entre = between, sol = floor) | Italian (mezzo = half) |
| Classical meaning | Low storey between two full floors | Raised level inside a tall room |
| Modern use | Often in heritage townhouses | In commercial space and modern lofts |
In Belgian and French architecture, the entresol is a classic intermediate floor with a lower ceiling than the storeys below and above.
Building requirements
A mezzanine must meet local building regulations:
- Headroom — minimum 2.1 m (dwelling), often 2.3 m in commercial use
- Loading — depending on use, minimum 1.5 to 4.0 kN/m²
- Balustrade — at least 1.0 m high, child-safe in dwellings
- Means of escape — depending on area and use
When converting a space to include a mezzanine, building consent is usually required, especially if the load-bearing structure is altered.
Construction
A mezzanine is often a light steel or timber frame:
- Steel or timber columns support the intermediate floor
- Beams form the base for the floor deck
- Floor deck — plywood, OSB, hollow-core or steel grating
- Balustrade for fall protection
Related terms
- Entresol
- Void
- Piano nobile
- Basement
- Storey
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