Mezzanine / Loft floor extension estimate

[MikePluto]

Hi guys,

Have a loft unit with a double volume ceiling and an existing mezzanine floor. I want to extend this floor all the way to the other side, as it only covers half of the area (no idea why this was done half way)

A few questions:

1. Are there any companies in Jhb/Gauteng that specialize in this sort of construction? I see tons of companies on Google but for some reason they are all in Cape Town.
2. Any ideas on a rough cost estimate? The area that needs to be extended is 12 sqm.
   1. Would need to replace / add new balustrade
   2. Extend/add new plug points and light
   3. Sand down entire old area and restain/reseal the whole new structure for it to match
   4. I need to likely get a structural engineer, architect, apply for building plan update at city council
3. Does it need a wall to rest on (as with grey area in second picture?). Or can the support beams be bolted into the side wall?

Would appreciate any advice / input.

 

[RonSwanson]

It looks like you will need to extend the double wall supporting the beams. You will also need to adjust the lighting because it will get a lot darker in both areas, they do not have side windows at all. The upstairs loft will feel more poky and cramped (partly due to the chamferred ceiling on both sides), as will the downstairs (because the ceiling will be a lot lower, and unneccessarily thick due to the beam width). Double volumes are created to allow more natural light in, and to give an impression of spaciousness.

Personally, I wouldn't. I have a dislike for South African "lofts", apart from the fact that they are dated (1990s), they just look cheap and tacky, this is somewhat due to the poor quality of wood used (SA Pine), and they tend to make a whole lot of noise. Most houses that have them simply do not use them. Every time I see a derlict unused pine loft in a home, devoid of furniture, I simply vote with my feet. Then again, maybe I am just fussy

I guess that it would be OK if the home were located in a cheap/dodgy area, and you are trying to maximise living areas and square meterage, would work on paper. But from the little that I can see in the photos, it actually looks like quite a nice, modern place (regardless of the loft). I personally think that extending it would be a huge mistake, you would be removing some of its charm and appeal. If you need more space, consider selling up and buying something bigger.

 

[MikePluto]

It looks like you will need to extend the double wall supporting the beams. You will also need to adjust the lighting because it will get a lot darker in both areas, they do not have side windows at all. The upstairs loft will feel more poky and cramped (partly due to the chamferred ceiling on both sides), as will the downstairs (because the ceiling will be a lot lower, and unneccessarily thick due to the beam width). Double volumes are created to allow more natural light in, and to give an impression of spaciousness.

Personally, I wouldn't. I have a dislike for South African "lofts", apart from the fact that they are dated (1990s), they just look cheap and tacky, this is somewhat due to the poor quality of wood used (SA Pine), and they tend to make a whole lot of noise. Most houses that have them simply do not use them. Every time I see a derlict unused pine loft in a home, devoid of furniture, I simply vote with my feet. Then again, maybe I am just fussy

I guess that it would be OK if the home were located in a cheap/dodgy area, and you are trying to maximise living areas and square meterage, would work on paper. But from the little that I can see in the photos, it actually looks like quite a nice, modern place (regardless of the loft). I personally think that extending it would be a huge mistake, you would be removing some of its charm and appeal. If you need more space, consider selling up and buying something bigger.

Thank you so much. You raise some excellent points which I did not even consider. The loft will be considerably darker unless I add in a side window for some natural light. Really want to do it to maximize space as the bedrooms are very small, and it feels like I could gain a whole extra room by simply extension the loft floor.