How to Read Blueprints & Schematics
If you've ever thought about building your own home or becoming an architect, you may have wondered how blueprints and schematics for buildings are read. Although reading blueprints and schematics can seem daunting, it is not difficult once you understand what the parts of the blueprints and schematics are, how to read a scale, and the symbols used in the diagrams. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Familiarize yourself with the first page of the blueprint/schematic package, which contains a sketch of the property as a whole. This page doesn't necessarily need any special skills to be read, since it really is more like a cover sheet for the blueprint/schematic package, but it will give you a general idea of the property and its layout.
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Look at the four exterior elevation sheets. These sheets are like the cover sheet, except they are drawn to 1/4 scale with each page being devoted to one side of the property. They show things like roof pitch and exterior finishes, so they're a bit more complex than the cover sheet is.
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Consult the foundation page. This page shows you where primary foundation points are for the home, parts of the property that have been excavated, and where support walls are.
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Examine the layout pages. These pages are once again drawn to 1/4 scale, and they show things like where electrical outlets are positioned and the dimensions of each room of the property.
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Look at the cross section pages. These pages usually are scaled to 1/2 because they tend to be more detailed. They show how different parts of the property fit together, but can be specific in regard to particular walls, angles, etc.
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View the interior elevation pages. These pages show where additional structures for the home are placed, such as cabinets or fireplaces.
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Learn the specific symbols that are found on blueprints and schematics. These symbols help you to know where doors are and how they open, where ducts are located, and what kind of electrical switches go where, just for starters.
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Tips & Warnings
Knowing the content and symbols for blueprints/schematics should be enough for you to read the blueprints/schematic at a basic level, but there are many different blueprint styles. Learning the different styles can help you to read a blueprint/schematic regardless of its type.
