How to Read a Floor Plan
Many people consider it easy to read a floor plan, but if you're not familiar with certain aspects of seeing a sketch on paper, you can run into problems. Be sure to ask your contractor questions if you don't understand what they're doing. Here are some steps to help you better understand your floor plan. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Learn about scale. Every floor plan is marked with a certain scale. The scale could be 1" equals 10 feet or 1/4" equals 1 foot. Another way of measuring scale is to use a scale ruler. A scale ruler will have the conversion rate printed right on it and can be found in most craft stores. The scale that is being used is usually written on the blue prints.
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Ask about the windows. For example, what kind are they, do they slide up and down or open out or slide side to side? Are there enough of them and are they placed where you want them? Also decide the direction you want the windows to face.
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Figure out door placement. Make sure they're placed exactly where you want them and they open in the direction you want. All houses have a front and back door, but you may want to think about adding another door. You may want easy access to your garden, patio or swimming pool.
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See about altering a floor plan. Make sure that it won't be difficult to add on later. Learn which are the non-weight bearing walls and which are the support walls. Knowing this will make it easier to tell which walls can be altered or removed later, if you want to expand your house.
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Comments
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projectmgr
Aug 11, 2008
I agree with jwtaylor. If you have to ask what kind of windows you're getting and where are the doors going to be, it's too late in the house building process and you should be looking at this as a rough draft. Blueprints are relatively easy to read, as everything is labelled and there is a Symbol Legend to tell you what the symbols mean. A floor plan shows you the layout of the rooms and equipment, but you will also have to be able to read the elevations, sections, details, finish schedules,plot plan,etc. -
projectmgr
Aug 11, 2008
I agree with jwtaylor. If you have to ask what kind of windows you're getting and where are the doors going to be, it's too late in the house building process and you should be looking at this as a rough draft. Blueprints are relatively easy to read, as everything is labelled and there is a Symbol Legend to tell you what the symbols mean. A floor plan shows you the layout of the rooms and equipment, but you will also have to be able to read the elevations, sections, details, finish schedules,plot plan,etc.
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jwtaylor
Feb 25, 2008
I'm sorry but this has nothing to do with how to read a floor plan.
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jwtaylor
Feb 25, 2008
I'm sorry but this has nothing to do with how to read a floor plan.
