Loft vs. Mezzanine — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
A loft is an open, adaptable upper floor space, while a mezzanine is a partial intermediate floor in a building.
Difference Between Loft and Mezzanine
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Key Differences
A loft is typically a large, open space under the roof of a building used for residential or commercial purposes, whereas a mezzanine is a smaller intermediate floor that is open to the floor below. Lofts are often found in converted industrial buildings and are characterized by high ceilings and large windows, while mezzanines are semi-permanent floor levels added to existing spaces.
Lofts are designed as wide-open spaces without internal walls, providing flexibility for layout and use, which contrasts with the specific and limited space offered by a mezzanine. While lofts can transform into living spaces, studios, or offices, mezzanines are commonly used to increase the usable floor area for things like additional seating or storage.
In architectural design, lofts provide a sense of expansiveness and creativity with their uninterrupted overhead space, allowing for unique interior designs. Mezzanines, conversely, serve a more utilitarian purpose, often maximizing the use of vertical space in commercial or retail settings.
Lofts may be part of new construction or result from the renovation of commercial spaces, indicative of modern urban living. Mezzanines, however, are typically constructed as a part of the building design or added later to address space needs without altering the overall structure significantly.
The term "loft" can also refer to the attic or the space directly under the roof, which is not necessarily designed for a specific use, while a mezzanine is always intended to be a functional part of the living or working area. Lofts can be the primary living area in a home, whereas mezzanines are supplementary spaces within larger environments.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An upper floor or space in a building.
An intermediate floor between main floors.
Size & Scope
Large and expansive.
Smaller, partial floor.
Usage
Residential, commercial, storage.
Additional space, often for specific uses.
Structural Design
Can be an entire floor, often open-plan.
Partial floor, often overlooking a space.
Typical Location
Top floor under the roof, sometimes converted industrial spaces.
Between two main floors, often in public or commercial buildings.
Compare with Definitions
Loft
A loft is a building's upper storey or elevated area in a room directly under the roof (American usage), or just an attic: a storage space under the roof usually accessed by a ladder (primarily British usage). A loft apartment refers to large adaptable open space, often converted for residential use (a converted loft) from some other use, often light industrial.
Mezzanine
A platform or floor in a warehouse or factory.
They stored excess inventory on the mezzanine.
Loft
A large, usually unpartitioned floor over a factory, warehouse, or other commercial or industrial space.
Mezzanine
A low-ceilinged story between two main stories.
The mezzanine in the theater had a cozy bar.
Loft
Such a floor converted into an apartment or artist's studio.
Mezzanine
A balcony or open floor extending out from a building's facade.
Guests mingled on the mezzanine during the intermission.
Loft
A partial floor occupying part of the space below the ceiling of a larger, high-ceilinged room.
Mezzanine
A mezzanine (; or in Italian, a mezzanino) is, strictly speaking, an intermediate floor in a building which is partly open to the double-height ceilinged floor below, or which does not extend over the whole floorspace of the building. However, the term is often used loosely for the floor above the ground floor, especially where a very high original ground floor has been split horizontally into two floors.
Loft
A garret.
Mezzanine
A partial story between two main stories of a building.
Loft
A gallery or balcony, as in a church.
Mezzanine
The lowest balcony in a theater or the first few rows of that balcony.
Loft
A hayloft.
Mezzanine
Of or relating to securities granting a claim on interest or assets that is subordinate to that of secured and senior debt but above that of equity.
Loft
The backward slant of the face of a golf club head, designed to drive the ball up off the ground.
Mezzanine
(architectural element)
Loft
A golf stroke that drives the ball in a high arc.
Mezzanine
An intermediate floor or storey in between the main floors of a building; specifically, one that is directly above the ground floor which does not extend over the whole floorspace of the building, and so resembles a large balcony overlooking the ground floor; an entresol.
On our way to the top floor, we stopped at the mezzanine.
Loft
The upward course of a ball driven in a high arc.
Mezzanine
(by extension) An apartment, room, etc., on such an intermediate floor.
Loft
The thickness of a fabric or yarn.
Mezzanine
The lowest balcony in an auditorium, cinema, theatre, etc.; the dress circle.
Loft
The thickness of an item, such as a down comforter, that is filled with compressible insulating material.
Mezzanine
(obsolete)
Loft
To put, store, or keep in a loft.
Mezzanine
A floor under the stage, from which contrivances such as traps are worked.
Loft
To propel in a high arc
Lofted the ball into the outfield.
Mezzanine
Characteristic of or relating to high-interest loans which have no collateral, and are regarded as intermediate in nature, ranking above equity but below secured loans.
Loft
(Nautical) To lay out a full-size drawing of (the parts of a ship's hull, for example).
Mezzanine
(engineering) Fulfilling an intermediate or secondary function.
To make interconnections easier, we added a mezzanine PCB.
Loft
To propel something, especially a ball, in a high arc.
Mezzanine
(transitive) To fit (a building or other place) with a mezzanine floor.
Loft
To rise high into the air.
Mezzanine
Same as Entresol.
Loft
Air, the air; the sky, the heavens.
Mezzanine
A flooring laid over a floor to bring it up to some height or level.
Loft
An attic or similar space (often used for storage) in the roof of a house or other building.
Mezzanine
A floor under the stage, from which various contrivances, as traps, are worked.
Loft
(textiles) The thickness of a soft object when not under pressure.
Mezzanine
The lowest balcony in a theater, or the forward part of the first balcony.
Loft
A gallery or raised apartment in a church, hall, etc.
An organ loft
Mezzanine
First or lowest balcony
Loft
(golf) The pitch or slope of the face of a golf club (tending to drive the ball upward).
Mezzanine
Intermediate floor just above the ground floor
Loft
(obsolete) A floor or room placed above another.
Mezzanine
An intermediate floor partially open to a double-height ceiling space below.
We added a mezzanine to create more office space.
Loft
(transitive) To propel high into the air.
Mezzanine
Seating in the lowest balcony in a theater.
Our seats were on the mezzanine level, offering a perfect view.
Loft
(intransitive) To fly or travel through the air, as though propelled
Loft
(bowling) To throw the ball erroneously through the air instead of releasing it on the lane's surface.
Loft
(transitive) To furnish with a loft space.
Loft
(transitive) To raise (a bed) on tall supports so that the space beneath can be used for something else.
Loft
Lofty; proud; haughty
Loft
That which is lifted up; an elevation.
Eutychus . . . fell down from the third loft.
Loft
Pitch or slope of the face of a club (tending to drive the ball upward).
Loft
Lofty; proud.
Loft
To make or furnish with a loft; to cause to have loft; as, a lofted house; a lofted golf-club head.
A wooden club with a lofted face.
Loft
To raise aloft; to send into the air;
Loft
Floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
Loft
Floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
Loft
A raised shelter in which pigeons are kept
Loft
Store in a loft
Loft
Propel through the air;
The rocket lofted the space shuttle into the air
Loft
Kick or strike high in the air;
Loft a ball
Loft
Lay out a full-scale working drawing of the lines of a vessel's hull
Loft
A spacious upper-level living space.
They converted the warehouse into a modern loft apartment.
Loft
A gallery or upper level in a church or hall.
The choir sang from the loft during the service.
Loft
The space just below the roof of a house.
We store our holiday decorations in the loft.
Loft
An open, often high-ceilinged floor above the main floor.
The loft area was her favorite spot to read.
Loft
A type of apartment characteristic of urban areas.
He lived in a trendy loft in downtown Manhattan.
Common Curiosities
What is a loft?
A loft is a large open space or room directly below the roof or an upper story used for residential or commercial purposes.
Can a loft be converted into living space?
Yes, many lofts are converted into living spaces, often in urban areas.
Is a mezzanine the same as a balcony?
No, a mezzanine is inside and overlooks the interior space, while a balcony is external.
What is a mezzanine?
A mezzanine is a partial floor in a building, usually between the ground and first floor, open to the floor below.
Is a mezzanine considered a full floor?
No, a mezzanine is a partial or intermediate floor, not a full story.
Are mezzanines found in residential buildings?
Mezzanines can be found in residential buildings but are more common in commercial structures.
What's the typical use for a loft?
Lofts are commonly used as residential apartments, artist studios, or open office spaces.
Can a mezzanine have rooms?
Yes, mezzanines can have rooms or open areas depending on the design.
Is a loft more expensive than a regular apartment?
Lofts can be more expensive due to their size, location, and the cost of converting industrial spaces.
Do lofts usually have high ceilings?
Yes, lofts are characterized by their high ceilings and large windows.
How do you access a loft?
A loft is accessed via stairs or an elevator, just like any other floor.
Are there building codes for mezzanines?
Yes, mezzanines must comply with local building codes, including those related to structure and accessibility.
How do lofts and mezzanines affect property value?
Both can increase property value, lofts due to their desirability and mezzanines due to the added usable space.
What's the difference in lighting between a loft and a mezzanine?
Lofts often have large windows for natural light, while mezzanines depend on the lighting of the main floor.
Can you build a mezzanine in a loft?
Yes, if the ceiling is high enough, a mezzanine can be added to a loft.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
