Expansion with loft

Expand home with the construction of a loft

One of the priorities that each household has to face as a result of a changed demand, is the recovery of a living space in the interior.
This condition implies, most of the time, a total revision of the property which translates, in concrete terms, in a optimization of the internal functionality.


However, you can proceed to an extension of the surface if the effective height of accommodation allows the construction of a mezzanine floor.
For this action, the main requirement to meet to the compliance with the planning instruments and the verification of existing structures to the higher degree of strain.

When we realize the loft

The first thing to establish is whether it is a loft space or not.
In the first case, if the expansion is allowed by the indexes provided in the urban planning scheme, you can use this area as a real room and its implementation will require a building permit.

Among the parameters to observe there is the minimum height, both for the upper and for the lower one.
When the heights are below the parameters set, the loft is not habitable but it can be used as storage.

Its implementation is configured in this case as an extraordinary maintenance and therefore simply a commencement notice and then proceed to the necessary works.

One of the restrictions contained in the regulations also concerns the amplitude of the surface loft, expressed as a percentage of the total area. This can not in any case be covered in a total way.
Finally, with the construction of the loft is necessary that respects the index required for the aeroilluminante ratio, ie the ratio between the surface of the floor and the windowed.

How to use the loft

In most cases, the loft becomes a natural extension of the living room and is used as corner for conversation, reading and entertainment or simply as a study area.
Alternatively, it can also be used as a bedroom as it is not recommended, at least conceptually, to use this space as a kitchen or dining area.


Considering that in general the operation is performed in existing buildings, for works bearing is better to use wooden or iron structures.
These types of construction allow a lightness, especially visual, as well as a speed in carrying out the work.

An important condition concerns the position of the uprights which, as not to hinder the space below, must be placed along the walls or in the vicinity of existing pillars, avoiding the possible central areas. The same consideration will be made also to the arrangement of the connecting staircase.


To maximize space, the area under the stairs can be equipped with furniture or possibly with seats. It is clear that all intervention depends exclusively on the ground plan of the property.

Building a loft: What to Know

As for plants, considered the typological characteristics, the thickness of the slabs and the philosophy that distinguishes these works as open space, it would be appropriate to limit the passage of essential lines, ridges and points of connection.

Even for the finishing there are general indications that indicate the use of materials such as parquet for the floors; thin structures and light for the possible separations and not least the aesthetic characterization of some details, such as the stairs and the balustrade of protection.

Another exception concerns the characteristic peculiarity of lofts due to noise and creaks, resulting in the presence of people, but still compatible with the philosophy of the structure.

For the construction of the loft, the work should be entrusted to a single supplier that can deliver perfect coordination in the structure of the stairs and the horizontal plane, as well as the protective railing, details and finishing works.

The different types of loft

There are two different types of loft: one anchored to the floor thanks to a series of pillars and the other one anchored to the walls.

The best solution, in terms of use of the spaces below the mezzanine, is certainly the second.

After selecting the desired type, you will have to choose the type of preferred material to realize the structure.
Usually, for the living spaces we prefer wood but there are also mixed solutions, such as lofts, half-timbered and iron, more suitable for garages and workshops but also sometimes used for interior, especially if you intend to give a New York loft like to your home.

The mezzanine mixed-timber generally has a structure in iron but the finish, or the floor, the handrail and the access stairs, may be formed from different materials, defined by a personal choice of taste and practicality ' use.