An apartment is generally one floor; however, there are several instances where apartment homes can have two floors – often referred to as a loft, bi-level apartment, townhome rental, or duplex.
What makes a loft a loft?
A loft is a living space made inside a former industrial building. Lofts feature open floor plans with concrete floors, high ceilings, and large windows for natural light.
What’s the difference between lofts and apartments?
Loft vs studio apartment: main differences
The upper floor in a loft usually overlooks the main floor, and it is not walled off or separated by a door. While studio apartments can be found in just about any type of apartment building, lofts are most commonly found in industrial buildings that have been repurposed.
What is a loft in a house?
The word Loft by the dictionary means a room or space directly under the roof of a house or other building used for residential or commercial purposes. Another meaning of the word is a large, open area in a warehouse, factory or other large building that has been transformed into a living space.
How many rooms does a loft have?
A loft apartment is a dwelling that offers one large, open space without internal walls. Aside from the bathroom, which is always separate, there are no distinct rooms. Loft apartments are quite large, typically exceeding 1,000 square feet in even the densest of cities.
Is a loft considered a second story?
Does a loft or mezzanine level count as a separate story? No. If an apartment has a loft or mezzanine where part of the apartment has high ceilings and the other part has 2 levels, you do not count the loft or mezzanine as a separate story. Only count full stories where there are hallways and elevators.
Is it safe to be in a loft?
Nevertheless, as common as the loft is, it can often be a very risky and dangerous place to get carelessly injured. With piles of boxes on top of each other and a few too many items covering the floor, it is important to ensure that you are being safe every time you enter.
Why is it called a loft?
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 a fireplace.
Why are lofts so popular?
Lofts are usually spacious with an open concept that offers plenty of flexibility to decorate and create separate areas for work and play. The high ceilings also make lofts feel larger than life. Apartments aren’t usually known for their open-concept lifestyle. That makes lofts a desirable choice for many.
What type of lofts are there?
Loft type guides
- Dormer loft conversions.
- Hip to gable loft conversions.
- Mansard loft conversions.
- Shell loft conversions.
- Velux loft conversions.
What is a loft in a 2 story house?
Lofts are open spaces located on the second floor of a home. They are often closed in with 2–3 walls but some of the area of a loft is open to either the downstairs or other rooms upstairs. A house plan with a loft is a great way to capitalize on every inch of square footage in a home.
Is a loft considered living space?
Descriptions of properties, especially in real estate’s multiple listing service, often refer to several square footage measurements. California’s Multiple Listing Service defines interior space as “living space.” This does not include patios that have a roof but no sides, garages or attics. It does include loft space.
Can I use my loft as a room?
Building regulations approval is required to convert a loft or attic into a liveable space. This section provides guidance for making alterations to the loft space of an existing house which is no more than two storeys high.
Do loft rooms add value?
As a guide a well built and perfectly appointed loft conversion can add between 10–20% to the value of your home, according to Ideal Home.
What is the difference between a loft and a second story?
Lofts are second stories
The state of California considers an ADU loft to be a second story. Like any habitable bedroom or living room, the loft must have an area where the ceiling is at least 7 feet high. Parts of the loft can be lower, for example, the perimeter where a sloping roofline ends.
What counts as a second story?
The second story gross floor area shall be 25% less than the first story gross floor area. Interior spaces with a height greater than 12 feet shall be treated as two stories and shall count towards the second story gross floor area. Attached garages are included within the calculation.
Is 2 floors the same as 2 stories?
They are the same thing for most purposes, they are just different terms according to where in the world you are. A two story house would comprise a ground and first floor (or first and second floor) hence two floors.
Can I walk in my loft?
Move safely in the loft
For easier movement in the loft, we recommend using walk boards (also known as crawl boards) laid across the joists. If a top layer of insulation is already in place on the loft floor, roll it back to reveal the top of the joists and then lay the walk boards on them.
Do loft bedrooms get hot?
As heat naturally rises, the loft tends to be the hottest room in the house, particularly during the warm summer months.
Can a loft collapse?
The horizontal rafter, or ceiling joist timbers in your loft are there purely to hold up the ceiling below. Items stored in the loft could cause the ceiling to start to bow resulting in cracking which potentially could then result of your ceiling failing and collapsing.
What is an apartment with 2 floors called?
A duplex usually includes two living units, one attached, next to, or above the other (meaning two floors).