A mezzanine floor is an intermediate or partial floor built between the main floors of a building, usually between the main floor and the ceiling, and it typically does not cover the full area of the floor below. It is often open to the space below like a large internal balcony and is usually not counted as a full additional storey in building terms.
Main purpose
A mezzanine floor is used to create extra usable space within an existing high-ceiling area without extending the building outward or adding a full new level. Common uses include storage, offices, work platforms, and access to equipment or conveyor systems in warehouses, factories, and large retail spaces.
Key characteristics
- Located between floor and ceiling, not as a separate full-height storey.
- Usually only covers part of the footprint below, often up to around a quarter of the area in many design and insurance definitions.
- Can be permanent or semi-permanent, commonly built from steel, concrete, wood, or combinations of these, depending on load and use.
