How to build a second floor in an apartment? Two-level studio in Russian realities The second tier in an apartment with low ceilings

How to make a second floor in a room?

A full-fledged second floor can only be built if the ceiling height in the room is at least 4 meters. Most modern apartments cannot boast of such values, and therefore they can organize an inferior second floor-mezzanine.

For example, if you remove sleeping place, then a significant space will be freed up in the room. How to do it and where to start?

How to calculate the parameters for the second floor in a room?

As mentioned above, for the equipment of a full-fledged second floor, the ceiling height should not be less than 4 meters. And how much space is needed to equip a sleeping place on the second tier?

It's easy to calculate. In a sitting position, a person occupies a height of about 1 meter, add to this value the height of the bed, the width of the mattress and blanket, and another 20 centimeters. It turns out that the second tier should be at least 1.2 meters from the ceiling.

The resulting space under the mezzanine on the lower tier should be at least 2 meters. However, this value can fluctuate in different directions, depending on how this space is supposed to be equipped.

How to make a second tier in a room?

The second tier is created with:

  • supports;
  • beams;
  • stairs;
  • gender;
  • balustrades (fences).

In most cases, the mezzanine is made of wood. The staircase plays an important role in achieving a harmonious combination of the first and second tiers. Ideal is one in which the height of the step is not less than 15 cm, and the depth is not less than 26 cm. However, such a staircase will take up a lot of space and can simply overload the space. Sometimes small spiral staircases or attic stairs are used. It should be borne in mind that the latter are not very safe, especially if there are children in the house.

A special role in the equipment of the second tier in the room should be given to the balustrade. It must be reliable and prevent a possible fall if a person, for example, stumbled. The fence should be well thought out if there are small children at home.

How to make a second floor in a room? Ventilation and light

These parameters are very important if it is planned to equip a sleeping or working place on the second tier. As you know, warm air always accumulates under the ceiling (especially during the heating season). If you do not think about ventilation, then sleeping in closeness will be simply unbearable.

Ideal if the second tier will be equipped near the ventilation grate. If this is not possible, then you need to turn to professionals who will combine the second tier with the ventilation system using flexible pipes and a fan.

As far as lighting is concerned, then there are two options. If it is supposed to equip the second tier for a berth, then lamps are perfect as light sources. If a workplace is to be equipped, it is desirable to have access to natural light. This can be achieved by making the second tier at the window. If this is not possible, then several lamps with diffused and directional light will help bring the lighting as close to natural as possible.

How to make a second floor in a room? A photo

To equip the second level in the apartment you need to have high ceilings. Such a decision allows to significantly diversify the planning solution of the interior of the apartment. What rooms can be placed on the second level? There may be an office with a view of the room below, a home library with stairs from the living room, a play corner in the children's room. Everything needs to be done correctly in order to get the desired result and not disturb the harmony of the space of the room.

The second level in the apartment is also called the mezzanine.

Room dimensions for second level device

The main size that is taken into account when constructing a mezzanine will be the height of the room. It depends on the height which rooms will be located under and above the mezzanine. The minimum room height for a second-level device should be 3.2 m. In this case, a pantry can be arranged under the mezzanine, and a sleeping place on top. For the device of two full-fledged floors, a room height of 4.60 m is required.

As I said above, the functional purpose of the spaces under and above the mezzanine will also depend on the height of the room. In order for there to be a comfortable and functional space under the mezzanine, the height from floor to ceiling of the mezzanine should be 2.2 m. The height above the mezzanine should also be the same if there is a workplace and it is planned to spend a lot of time.

If it is planned to place a wardrobe or pantry under the mezzanine, then a height of 1.8 m will be enough.

For a berth, a height of 1.2 m is needed. Why is that? The average height of a sitting person is 1 m. Add to it the height of the mattress and blankets, and this is another 0.2 m. The sleeping place should be arranged shallow. Let's calculate. The width of a single mattress is 0.9-1.0 m, a double mattress is 1.4-2.0 m. Another 0.3-0.4 m must be added to this width so that there is room for a cup, book or other things. But, unfortunately, such a bedroom in which it is impossible to stand up to its full height will be uncomfortable. Also at the top is somewhat difficult air exchange, which is bad for health. The way out of this situation would be a device with a two-level mezzanine, that is, with a step. At the lower level, we will be able to change clothes, for example, put on pajamas. A place under such a mezzanine can be organized as a workspace with a closet or pantry.

Selection of the height of the mezzanine

When installing the second level, do not forget to take into account the thickness of the mezzanine structure itself. On average, the thickness of the beams with the floor will be exactly 0.2 m.

Staircase to the second level

For the device stairs you need a lot of free space. A staircase with a step height of 170 mm and a tread depth of 280 mm is considered comfortable. To climb to the second level, we need 14 steps, and this is 3.64 m of the length of the stairs in the plan. In addition, for comfortable movement on the stairs you need a marching platform.

What to do if there is very little free space? In such cases, you can use the option with an attic-type staircase, which will be less convenient. Climbing such a ladder is more or less convenient, but there is no descent, since you have to go down facing the steps.

The mezzanine consists of supports and beams on which the floor is laid. Beams and supports can be made of wood or metal. Metal elements need to be welded or fastened with bolts, and, therefore, such a mezzanine will be difficult to construct. But on the other hand, its appearance will be more elegant, due to the fact that metal structures are more durable and their thickness is less. From wood, everything will look more massive.

The floor can be made of wooden boards, chipboard, polycarbonate or reinforced glass. To soundproof the mezzanine floor, you can use mineral wool, then the floor will not act as a drum. The room under the mezzanine can be sewn up with plasterboard plates, decorated and painted.

For a modern interior, a combination of materials such as glass block and stainless steel will be interesting. For a classic mezzanine, a tree is used.

A mandatory element of the mezzanine is a balustrade or fence. The height of the fence should be above the center of gravity of a person, which is 1.1 m. For a small mezzanine, such a fence will seem too large, so it can be reduced to 0.9 m. The material of the balustrade must necessarily correspond to the nature of the interior. It is possible to use forged or wooden balusters, stainless steel pipes and others. Practice shows that wooden fencing is more pleasant to the touch.

Mezzanine ventilation

Perhaps this place will be the most stuffy in the whole house or apartment. We all know that warm air moves to the top, which means that the conditions for sleeping will not be entirely comfortable. Therefore, it is worth thinking about forced ventilation or making some additional structures that enhance air circulation.

It is good if there is a ventilation duct at the place of construction of the mezzanine, then the problem with ventilation is solved very quickly. If the second level is located in the attic or in a one-story house, then the exhaust duct can be let through the roof.

As an alternative solution, it is possible to combine a mezzanine room with a ventilation duct with any other room with the installation of flexible steel pipes and an additional fan. However, it is better to consult with a specialist in this matter.

There can be two lighting options: daylight or artificial light. It all depends on the functional purpose. If only the sleeping area is located on the second level, then there is no need for daylight. But for a study or library, you need to provide good natural lighting. Perhaps this will require making changes to the wall structure, breaking through a window opening or installing a light tunnel.

Artificial light must be on the mezzanine. This is solved by conducting electricity and selecting fixtures that match the interior.

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The freshness of the interior, additional space for sleeping and placing objects are 2 key details that appear along with the second level in the apartment. You can order its construction in the workshop "Vertical".

We will do the following for you:

    • We will design;
    • Let's create a design;
    • Prepare materials;
    • We will install an additional tier.
Design features

An apartment with a second level implies the presence of an extension that divides part of the room horizontally. It is based on a wooden or metal frame. More often than the second, because the steel structure is more durable and costs 2-3 times cheaper. In addition, the profile pipe or channel under the finish does not need to be looked after.

Types of design

    • Open options: it is possible to make a second level in an apartment costing below the average threshold if you do not use cladding. In this case, the design is executed in a loft or high-tech style, and the surfaces are painted;
    • closed type: the mezzanine is lined, stylized as wood, metal or stone. The material is MDF and fiberboard. We also install panels from solid pine, spruce, beech, oak and other species.
Housing options

Key question for our clients: "What should be the height of the ceilings in order to build a second level in the apartment?" . The minimum threshold is 3.2 meters. In this case, the option is implemented - a room plus a bed. Bottom 180 cm, top 120 cm and 20 cm for material thickness. As a result, a person can stand upright under the platform, and sit in the bed area with his legs dangling.

But a full-fledged second level is being built in an apartment with high ceilings - the ideal parameter is 4.6 meters. 220 cm are left below and above (a person can stand with his arm raised). In this case, you can easily furnish the recreation area, and under it the kitchen.

Stairs

It is also made from a steel frame. Steps from a parquet board or a tree. There are the following options:

    • Direct - marching structures are relevant for long rooms;
    • Spiral - the most common in our case, because they are placed on an area of ​​​​130 cm, saving space;
    • Vertical - these are ladders, which are climbed with the help of hands and feet. They are placed mainly in studio apartments with a second level for a bed.
The design itself is based on stringers, bowstrings or even walls (floating steps fixed on brackets). The lower area of ​​straight structures can be left for shelves and cabinets.

Briefly about your advantages

Workshop "Vertical" orders materials in bulk, and therefore their cost is below the market. Our specialists have more than 6 years of experience - they know well how to make the second level in an apartment without errors and subsequent corrections. Our professionalism has been proven by hundreds of successfully implemented projects, which you can see in the portfolio. Call, ask questions and get services in a safe place. We will do everything quickly and well.

The second floor in a city apartment, whether it is a full-fledged room or a compact bedroom, is a trend that is increasingly found in interior design. Take a closer look at yours: maybe an extra floor will not hurt you? True, in order to build it, you will have to take into account a number of subtleties.

Step #1: Assess the room's capabilities

The first and foremost requirement that you will have to consider when trying to build an additional tier is the initial height of the ceilings. If we are talking specifically about a room, and not just about a mezzanine for storage, the ceiling should not be lower than four meters (or better, higher, and there are no limits to perfection in this matter). To make you feel comfortable, 15-20 centimeters of space should remain above your head at both levels, the same amount will go to the thickness of the tier structure. Please note that as a result of ventilation systems in the apartment, the ceiling may go down.
However, if you dream of a bed under the ceiling, these requirements can be smoothed out a bit. Calculate the optimal ceiling height on the second tier, based on the fact that a person in a sitting position occupies about a meter of vertical space, the above 15-20 centimeters are needed for comfort, and the design of the bed and mattress also have their own thickness.

Step #2: Decide on the Material

Regardless of what functionality you decide to give the second floor area, the tier must be strong enough to withstand the weight of the structure located on it and the people who will spend time there. Modern technologies offer options for every budget: the supports and the base of the second floor can be built from wood, metal, chipboard, polycarbonate or reinforced glass. If you are thinking of a full-fledged second floor, consider soundproofing the floor: it can be done using cork or mineral wool.

Step #3: Consider Your Ventilation System

Your second floor is unlikely to be equal in area to the first - such a structure is too difficult to build in a city apartment. Rather, it will resemble an internal balcony - isolated or open, at your discretion. In this context, many at the start of work do not understand why the second level needs a separate ventilation or air conditioning system - and therefore they face unpleasant surprises at the start of operation.
The fact is that warm air always accumulates at the top - remember the school physics course. So the second floor is guaranteed to be more stuffy and hot than the first floor, even if you haven't fully insulated the upper space. It is logical to entrust the arrangement of air conditioning systems to a professional who will connect flexible pipes to a remote ventilation duct or build ventilation for a specific project. Fanlight windows will serve as a good help for the second floor box.

Step 4: Light up the second floor

Even if the room has a strong source of central lighting, the second tier will most likely need individual lighting. The degree of illumination depends on your individual needs: if we are talking about an office, most likely you will have to use the ceiling space and organize overhead lighting.
If we are talking about a bedroom or a lounge area, you can get by with “little blood” - and lamps based on them or battery-powered spots that are attached to the ceiling or wall and can be easily dismantled if necessary. The latter option will especially appeal to perfectionists who are annoyed by extra wires.

Step #5: Choose your ladder wisely

In order not to risk health by equipping the upper tier, it is important to choose the right ladder. Small spaces, of course, will require a compact solution (which, however, is unlikely to be the safest). The ladder takes up the least space, but it is contraindicated for families with small children, as well as for anyone who doubts their dexterity. However, there are other compact and much more reasonable solutions.
When choosing a ladder, proceed from the fact that the height of the step should be approximately 16 centimeters, and the depth of the tread should be 26 centimeters. The higher you need to climb, the longer the stairs will be - and in this case, goose step stairs or structures on the bolts will help save space: you can equip a bookcase or storage systems under the former, and the latter take up little space due to the fact that they can bend. Another idea is a spiral staircase. True, with all the charm, such a design can hardly be called the most convenient.