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46-438: In US usage, a loft is an upper room or storey in a building , mainly in a barn, directly under the roof , used for storage (as in most private houses). In this sense it is roughly synonymous with attic , the major difference being that an attic typically constitutes an entire floor of the building, while a loft covers only a few rooms, leaving one or more sides open to the lower floor. In British usage, lofts are usually just

92-636: A shipyard with a considerable floor area on which the lines produced by a naval architect can be laid off in their full dimensions. After that the full-size drawings can be copied with the aid of wooden moulds to which, in turn, the steel frames or, in the case of wooden vessels, the hull moulds, are fashioned (see lofting ). An elevated area or gallery in a shipyard where workers stand while fitting rigging . A large, open, high ceilinged space where parachute riggers re-pack parachutes into parachute containers. A large open space used by sailmakers to make sails . The floor has to be big enough to lay out

138-429: A ceiling at least twice as high as a floor with minimum height. A mezzanine does not count as one of the floors in a building, and generally does not count in determining maximum floorspace. The International Building Code permits a mezzanine to have as much as one-third of the floor space of the floor below. Local building codes may vary somewhat from this standard. A space may have more than one mezzanine, as long as

184-579: A chamber created by partitioning that does not go up all the way to the arch vaulting or ceiling; these were historically common in Italy and France, for example in the palaces for the nobility at the Quirinal Palace . A mezzanine is an intermediate floor (or floors) in a building which is open to the floor below. It is placed halfway ( mezzo means 'half' in Italian) up the wall on a floor which has

230-431: A chemical sealer, like stained concrete or epoxy finishes, usually have a slick finish presenting a potential slip and fall hazard, however there are anti skid additives and coatings which can help mitigate this and provide increased traction. Reliable, science-backed floor slip resistance testing can help floor owners and designers determine if their floor is too slippery, or allow them to choose an appropriate flooring for

276-447: A dimpled rubberized or plastic layer much like bubble wrap that provide little tiny pillars for the one-half-inch (12.7 mm) sheet material above. These are manufactured in 2 ft × 2 ft (61 cm × 61 cm) squares and the edges fit together like a mortise and tenon joint. Like a floor on joists not on concrete, a second sheeting underlayment layer is added with staggered joints to disperse forces that would open

322-476: A fall protection system. Removable sections of railing or gates that swing or slide open would be used to open up the area and allow the transfer of material, and then close once the material is removed. However, current ANSI standards require dual-gate safety systems for fall protection. Dual-gate safety systems were created to secure these areas, allowing a barrier to be in place at all times, even while pallets are being loaded or removed. Dual-gate systems create

368-636: A fibrous mesh and concrete building composite floor cladding is used for smaller high quality tile floors; these "concrete" subfloors have a good thermal match with ceramic tiles and so are popular with builders constructing kitchen, laundry and especially both common and high end bathrooms and any other room where large expanses of well supported ceramic tile will be used as a finished floor. Floors using small (4.5 in or 11.4 cm and smaller) ceramic tiles generally use only an additional 1 ⁄ 4 -inch (6.4 mm) layer of plywood (if that) and substitute adhesive and substrate materials making do with both

414-436: A fireplace. Loft apartments are apartments that are generally built from former industrial buildings. When industrial developments are developed into condominiums instead of apartments, they may be called loft condominiums . The general term warehouse-to-loft conversions may sometimes be used for development of industrial buildings into apartments and condominiums. "Loft-style" may also refer simply to developments where

460-488: A flexible joints and semi-flexible mounting compounds and so are designed to withstand the greater flexing which large tiles cannot tolerate without breaking. A ground-level floor can be an earthen floor made of soil , or be solid ground floors made of concrete slab . Ground level slab floors are uncommon in northern latitudes where freezing provides significant structural problems, except in heated interior spaces such as basements or for outdoor unheated structures such as

506-445: A floor or perform a useful service. Examples include floor medallions , which provide a decorative centerpiece of a floor design, or gratings used to drain water or to rub dirt off shoes. Floors may be built on beams or joists or use structures like prefabricated hollow core slabs . The subfloor builds on those and attaches by various means particular to the support structure, but the support and subfloor together always provides

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552-419: A gazebo or shed where unitary temperatures are not creating pockets of troublesome meltwaters. Ground-level slab floors are prepared for pouring by grading the site, which usually also involves removing topsoil and other organic materials well away from the slab site. Once the site has reached a suitable firm inorganic base material that is graded further so that it is flat and level, and then topped by spreading

598-485: A joint under the stress of live loads like a person walking. Three layers are common only in highest-quality construction. The two layers in high-quality construction will both be thick 3 ⁄ 4 inch (19.1 mm) sheets (as will the third when present), but they may have a combined thickness of only half that in cheaper construction – 1 ⁄ 2  in (12.7 mm) panel overlaid by 1 ⁄ 4  in (6.4 mm) plywood subflooring. At

644-403: A layer-cake of force dispersing sand and gravel. Deeper channels may be dug, especially the slab ends and across the slab width at regular intervals in which a continuous run of rebar is bent and wired to sit at two heights within forming a sub-slab "concrete girder". Above the targeted bottom height (coplanar with the compacted sand and gravel topping) a separate grid of rebar or welded wire mesh

690-459: A loft to create an extra room in order to prevent needing to move to a new house. The most common additions are an extra bedroom or study. The attic area of a building tends to be unused, but when converted can add a large amount of floor space. Housing for domestic pigeons is often called a pigeon loft. Pigeon lofts consist of a large cage or aviary and sometimes a nest box . They were a traditional amenity, now usually abandoned or repurposed in

736-771: A mezzanine (and how heavy the mezzanine may be), and to design the appropriate mezzanine. Custom Mezzanines are steel, raised industrial platform structures that are designed specifically to match the space and capacity needs of a given facility. It will, at a minimum, include a stairway for accessing the mezzanine. These structures typically are the strongest in terms of support capacity. Standard Mezzanines are steel, raised industrial platform structures that are completely self-supporting and are sold in predetermined sizes and shapes. These off-the-shelf structures are usually strong (in terms of support capacity) and less expensive than custom mezzanines. Employees in material handling and manufacturing are often at risk of falls when they are on

782-728: A number of purposes: Floor covering is a term to generically describe any material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Flooring is the general term for a permanent or temporary covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials. Materials almost always classified as floor covering include carpet , area rugs , and resilient flooring such as linoleum or vinyl flooring. Materials commonly called flooring include wood flooring , laminated wood, ceramic tile , stone , terrazzo , and various seamless chemical floor coatings. The choice of material for floor covering

828-448: A roof space accessed via a hatch and loft ladder, while attics tend to be rooms immediately under the roof accessed via a staircase. Lofts may have a specific purpose, e.g. an organ loft in a church , or to sleep in (sleeping loft). In barns a hayloft is often larger than the ground floor, since it would store a year's worth of hay. An attic or loft can often be converted to form a functional living accommodation (see Loft conversions in

874-611: A stiffer, higher-quality subfloor, especially for the later class. Since the wall base and flooring interact forming a joint, such later added semi-custom floors will generally not be hardwood, for that joint construction would be in the wrong order unless the wall base trim was also delayed pending the choosing. The subfloor may also provide underfloor heating and if floor radiant heating is not used, will certainly suffer puncture openings to be put through for forced air ducts for both heating and air conditioning , or pipe holes for forced hot water or steam heating transport piping conveying

920-470: A street-level business occupies the first floor while apartment "lofts" are placed above the first floor. Sometimes, loft apartments are one component of municipal urban renewal initiatives that also include renovation of industrial buildings into art galleries and studio space as well as promotion of a new part of the city as an " arts district ". Originally popular with artists , they are now highly sought-after by other bohemians and hipsters, and

966-456: A subfloor for support and a floor covering used to give a good walking surface. In modern buildings the subfloor often has electrical wiring, plumbing, and other services built in. As floors must meet many needs, some essential to safety, floors are built to strict building codes in some regions. Where a special floor structure like a floating floor is laid upon another floor, both may be called subfloors. Special floor structures are used for

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1012-527: A wide array of purposes. Mezzanines are commonly used in modern architecture , which places a heavy emphasis on light and space. In industrial settings, mezzanines may be installed (rather than built as part of the structure) in high-ceilinged spaces such as warehouses. These semi-permanent structures are usually free-standing, can be dismantled and relocated, and are sold commercially. Industrial mezzanine structures can be supported by structural steel columns and elements, or by racks or shelves. Depending on

1058-508: Is a live load on the floor above. In Europe and North America only a few rare floors have no separate floor covering on top, and those are normally because of a temporary condition pending sales or occupancy; in semi-custom new construction and some rental markets, such floors are provided for the new home buyer or renter to select their preferred floor coverings, usually a wall-to-wall carpet or one-piece vinyl floor covering. Wood clad ( hardwood ) and tile covered finished floors generally require

1104-494: Is a residential unit located in a commercially zoned building that has either been issued a certificate of residential occupancy or meets specific criteria making it eligible for the protection of loft laws, which vary state by state. For example, in New York State a live/work loft must meet the following criteria: Loft Law was designed to protect artists and other entrepreneurs that are remote workers . To qualify for

1150-455: Is affected by factors such as cost, endurance, noise insulation, comfort and cleaning effort, and sometimes concern about allergens . Some types of flooring must not be installed below grade (lower than ground level), and laminate or hardwood should be avoided where there may be moisture or condensation. The subfloor may be finished in a way that makes it usable without any extra work. See: A number of special features may be used to ornament

1196-563: Is caused by the wood rubbing against other wood, usually at a joint of the subfloor. Firmly securing the pieces to each other with screws or nails may reduce this problem. Floor vibration is a problem with floors. Wood floors tend to pass sound, particularly heavy footsteps and low bass frequencies . Floating floors can reduce this problem. Concrete floors are usually so massive they do not have this problem, but they are also much more expensive to construct and must meet more stringent building requirements due to their weight. Floors with

1242-1124: Is the demand for these spaces that real estate developers have taken to creating ready-made "lofts" in urban areas that are gentrifying or that seem primed to do so. While some of these units are created by developers during the renovation of old buildings, a number of them are included in the floor plans of brand new developments. Both types of pre-fab loft offer buyers or renters proximity to urban amenities afforded by traditional lofts, but without perceived safety risks of living in economically depressed formerly industrial areas. Real estate industry distinguishes between two kinds of lofts. "Hard lofts" are former industrial buildings converted to residential or live/work use. Many of these conversions retain open ceilings with exposed beams, electrical wiring, and HVAC ducts, instead of covering them with modern suspended ceilings or sheetrock ceilings. "Soft lofts" are loft-style residential buildings built entirely anew. They are open-concept spaces with high ceilings, large windows, brickwork, and cement ceilings. Soft lofts can look more residential and have modern finishes, but lack

1288-477: Is usually added to reinforce the concrete , and will be tied to the under slab "girder" rebar at intervals. The under slab cast girders are used especially if it the slab be used structurally, i.e., to support part of the building. Floors in wood-frame homes are usually constructed with joists centered no more than 16 inches (41 centimeters) apart, according to most building codes . Heavy floors, such as those made of stone , require more closely spaced joists. If

1334-645: The gentrification of the former manufacturing sectors of medium to large cities is now a familiar pattern. One such sector is Manhattan 's Meatpacking District . The adoption of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance (2001) in the City of Los Angeles (primarily the Arts District ) is another example of such legislation to encourage the conversion of no longer economically viable industrial and commercial buildings to residential loft communities. Such

1380-534: The plenum , or come directly from underneath (or from an attic). Pipes for plumbing, sewerage, underfloor heating, and other utilities may be laid directly in slab floors, typically via cellular floor raceways . However, later maintenance of these systems can be expensive, requiring the opening of concrete or other fixed structures. Electrically heated floors are available, and both kinds of systems can also be used in wood floors as well. Wood floors, particularly older ones, will tend to 'squeak' in certain places. This

1426-413: The span and the run of the mezzanine, different materials may be used for the mezzanine's deck like fibre cement boards. Some industrial mezzanines may also include enclosed, paneled office space on their upper levels. There are three basic types of industrial mezzanines: custom, standard or modular. A structural engineer is sometimes hired to help determine whether the floor of the building can support

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1472-416: The span between load-bearing walls is too long for joists to safely support, then a heavy crossbeam (thick or laminated wood, or a metal I-beam or H-beam ) may be used. A "subfloor" of plywood or waferboard is then laid over the joists. In modern buildings, there are numerous services provided via ducts or wires underneath the floor or above the ceiling . The floor of one level typically also holds

1518-730: The Loft Law protection, the unit must be primarily residential with the commercial purpose being clearly incidental to the residential use; utilising no more than 49% of the total space; with no more than 3 employees; and be carried on by the actual occupant of the unit. Historically, loft residents consisted of artists and other artisans taking advantage of cheap rents, large spaces and load-bearing floors. Loft residences were illegal and loft dwellers resided under commercial leases, forgoing basic residential rights such as domestic hot water and sanitation . To relieve their uncertain status, many state legislatures enacted loft laws. A long building at

1564-586: The United Kingdom ). In modern Norwegian and in English, "loft" is used for the upper room or the space just under the roof in larger buildings. The word originates from Old Norse lopt, loft which also could mean air or being elevated (as in the related word løfte , English "to lift"). In older Scandinavian usage, loft referred to a two-storey unheated building used for storage and bedroom, in contrast to dwelling buildings that were one-storey with

1610-512: The ceiling of the level below (if any). Services provided by subfloors include: In floors supported by joists, utilities are run through the floor by drilling small holes through the joists to serve as conduits. Where the floor is over the basement or crawlspace , utilities may instead be run under the joists, making the installation less expensive. Also, ducts for air conditioning (central heating and cooling) are large and cannot cross through joists or beams; thus, ducts are typically at or near

1656-514: The character and history of hard lofts. A commercial loft refers to upper storey space, usually in a commercial or industrial building with higher ceilings; a second storey area for storage or offices above may be added within the original space used by a previous business occupant, effectively becoming a mezzanine area within the commercial loft space. Such adaptation of loft space, can result in better operating efficiencies for ongoing light industrial, commercial and work/live use. A Live/work loft

1702-401: The heat from furnace to the local room's heat exchangers (radiators). Some subfloors are inset below the top surface level of surrounding flooring's joists and such subfloors and a normal height joist are joined to make a plywood box both molding and containing at least two inches (5 cm) of concrete (A mud floor" in builders' parlance). Alternatively, only a slightly inset floor topped by

1748-425: The highest end, or in select rooms of the building there might be three sheeting layers, and such stiff subflooring is necessary to prevent the cracking of large floor tiles of 9–10 inches (22.9–25.4 cm) or more on a side. The structure under such a floor will frequently also have extra "bracing" and "blocking" joist-to-joist intended to spread the weight to have as little sagging on any joist as possible when there

1794-412: The intended purpose before installation. The flooring may need protection sometimes. A gym floor cover can be used to reduce the need to satisfy incompatible requirements. Floor cleaning is a major occupation throughout the world and has been since ancient times. Cleaning is essential for hygiene , to prevent injuries due to slips, and to remove dirt. Floors are also treated to protect or beautify

1840-884: The job. Recent figures show approximately 20,000 serious injuries and nearly 100 fatalities a year in industrial facilities. Falls of people and objects from mezzanines are of particular concern. In many industrial operations, openings are cut into the guardrail on mezzanines and elevated work platforms to allow picking of palletized material to be loaded and unloaded, often with a fork truck, to upper levels. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and International Building Council (IBC) have published regulations for fall protection and The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has published standards for securing pallet drop areas to protect workers that work on elevated platforms and are exposed to openings. In most cases, safety gates are used to secure these openings. OSHA requires openings 48 inches or taller to be secured with

1886-477: The palaces of nobility and commercial buildings that predate telegraphy. Floor A floor is the bottom surface of a room or vehicle. Floors vary from simple dirt in a cave to many layered surfaces made with modern technology. Floors may be stone, wood, bamboo, metal or any other material that can support the expected load. The levels of a building are often referred to as floors, although sometimes referred to as storeys . Floors typically consist of

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1932-407: The sail as the canvas is marked and cut ready for sewing. Some churches have a choir loft , where the singers stand or sit during services. Sometimes the church organ is located in an organ loft, which may or may not have space for musicians apart from the organist. Churches may also contain triforiums with projecting watching-lofts. It is fairly common to convert all or part of a home into

1978-530: The strength of a floor one can sense underfoot. Nowadays, subfloors are generally made from at least two layers of moisture-resistant ("AC" grade, one side finished and sanded flat) plywood or composite sheeting, jointly also termed Underlayments on floor joists of 2x8, 2x10, or 2x12's ( dimensional lumber ) spaced generally on 16-inch (40.6 cm) centers, in the United States and Canada. Some flooring components used solely on concrete slabs consist of

2024-418: The sum total of floor space of all the mezzanines is not greater than one-third the floor space of the complete floor below. Mezzanines help to make a high-ceilinged space feel more personal and less vast, and can create additional floor space. Mezzanines, however, may have lower-than-normal ceilings due to their location. The term "mezzanine" does not imply any particular function; mezzanines can be used for

2070-496: The surface. The correct method to clean one type of floor can often damage another, so it is important to use the correct treatment. [REDACTED] Media related to Floors at Wikimedia Commons Mezzanine A mezzanine ( / ˌ m ɛ z ə ˈ n iː n / ; or in Italian , a mezzanino ) is an intermediate floor in a building which is partly open to the double-height ceilinged floor below, or which does not extend over

2116-467: The whole floorspace of the building, a loft with non-sloped walls. However, the term is often used loosely for the floor above the ground floor, especially where a very high-ceilinged original ground floor has been split horizontally into two floors. Mezzanines may serve a wide variety of functions. Industrial mezzanines, such as those used in warehouses, may be temporary or semi-permanent structures. In Royal Italian architecture , mezzanino also means

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