Maybe you're looking for a job in a real estate office or as an assistant with a construction company. Or it could be that you have taken a job at a local builders supply and will be doing material take off's. These are just a few of the jobs where you need to have a familiarity with construction drawings. Facts are though, I'm not going to be able to tell you in just one article how to read a set of house plans. There is way too much to consider. What I can do is give you a basic overview to give you a head start.
The Floor Plan:
Imagine if you will, having a house and cutting into it horizontally with a knife. Once this is done, you are able to see the interior rooms or layout of the home. That's what the floor plan is. On a floor plan you have strings of dimensions that define the locations of the porches, decks, walls, windows, doors, etc. You will also have door and window sizes, floor coverings, ceiling heights and types, water heater, washer and dryer locations listed. Almost always included on the floor plan is a kitchen layout showing cabinet sizes and location. Bathrooms cabinets should be defined there too.
The Foundation or Basement Plan:
Same as the floor plan this is a view that is made by the same type of cut. Here you will find wall sizes and types, floor support posts or piers, floor support types such as trusses or joists, slab thickness, footing sizes, and wall openings that should all be defined by dimensions.
Electrical Plan:
Many designers and drafters include the electrical plan on the floor plan and some don't. What you will find on this plan is outlet locations, light fixture types and locations, smoke detectors, door bell, meter base and circuit panel.
Exterior Elevations:
These are the views of the house from the front, left, rear, right, and roof. This drawing usually defines exterior finishes, shutters, pediments, trim types, roof shingle materials, grade levels (where the exterior ground level meets the house), railing types and locations, etc. It should also include roof pitches which is defined by 12 inches horizontal X however many inches vertical to define the angle of the roof.
Sectional Details:
This drawing is also a knife cut illustration only on a vertical plane which shows things like insulation “R” factors, stud and header sizes, floor truss or joist sizes and spacing, floor and roof decking sizes, etc.
HVAC and Plumbing Plans:
These show the duct work and pipe locations along with pipe size for hot and cold water, and the fixtures and fitting types.
Tim Davis is an Architectural Designer with over 20 years experience in his field. He teaches Architectural Blueprint Reading classes at http://blueprints.8m.com and Architectural Drafting at http://homedesign.8m.com
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