Blueprints of house plans are used by builders and contractors as a map to instruct them how to build, or remodel, a home. Many homeowners are not familiar with construction and blueprints which can sometimes cause communication problems that are costly. In order to insure that you get the home you want you should familiarize yourself with the basics of understanding blueprints so that your home plans will be exactly what you expect.
Each set of blueprints contains several pages which include the cover sheet with a rendering of the final look of the home, foundation plans and information about the footings and framing, side and rear elevations which include elements such as the fireplace, cabinets, and materials, cross-sections which allow you to see structural construction details, floor plans include the size of the rooms, window and door placement, plumbing, electrical details and other features, and other detail pages which include things like roof plans.
The blueprints for a home plan should have detailed information about the materials being used in the construction of the home. This detail in the blueprint will help you to get accurate estimates for the cost of the home. The blueprints will have symbols which help to map out every detail of the house plans. If you don't understand the symbols then ask your contractor or builder what they mean.
You will also want to determine to what scale the blueprints were drawn. Blueprints are drawn to scale which means they are an exact representation of the house but smaller so that it can be drawn on paper. Many plans are drawn to ¼" scale, which means that for every ¼" on the paper it represents 1' in the actual size of your house. It is important to check all of the measurements in the blueprints to be sure they contain the correct dimensions. If you want a door moved 1' or 2' then it will need to be noted on the blueprints.
One of the best places to start looking at blueprints is to start on the floor plan view. The floor plan shows the house plan from the top looking down, as if you are floating in the sky looking down on the house with no roof. This view allows you to see the sizes of rooms and where things are located such as fixtures, appliances, cabinets, doors, and windows. Floor plans will also sometimes include light fixtures, switches, and outlets.
Elevation pages in the blueprints include a view of the front, rear, and both sides of the house and show what the house will look like when it is completed. They are drawn to scale representing the building height and length and include roof pitches, materials used and any other information to give a general idea of the look of the house when finished.
Cross section drawings show a slice of the house as if it is cut in half. The cross section is one of the more difficult views of blueprints to understand. These cross section drawings are usually used to show interior details such as built-ins, moldings, stairways, and trim work. They also show the exterior walls with information about the various layers, including exterior cladding and insulation. The more detailed and complex a house the more cross section drawings there will be.
This is a very basic introduction to understanding blueprints for house plans. Designers will vary in what they include in their blueprints. It is important to have a home plan that is drawn by a professional with construction experience. You want the house you expect and not surprises so ask your contractor lots of questions if you do not understand what you see on your blueprints.
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