Floor Plan Secret Guide Reading Tips: How To Completely Understand Symbols, Measurements & More

In getting a house built, an architectural floor plan is one of the most important drafting aspects of it. For those who might be on the verge of it, here's an ultimate guide how to read the symbols, figures, measurement and everything about its design representation.

According to Build, a floor plan contains a lot of complicated details though it can best make sense if a person would spend some time learning its symbols and figures. Every line with its thickness and thinness all have meaning as much all the arrows, abbreviations, and markings on it.

The first important factor about the floor plan is the exterior wall outline of the structure, it's the darkest and thickest lines. Then, the doors would have the short straights that look slightly opened. It actually indicates how it will move.

Shaded and lightened colored lines represent the floor; the floor plan can also determine which kind it will be. Next, windows are just unfilled blocks on the walls, for a much detailed version a "callout" can be done as well.

Standard fittings and fixtures are also a must for depiction, this is diagrammed on the floor plan through symbols and names. Sometimes dotted lines are also used; it's really significant to note this because of the floor scaling.

In another report, How Stuff Works also explains further details about how to completely read a floor plan. Accordingly, it is drawn to scale of multiplying the line lengths with its previous one.

The details on the floor plan represent everything about the possible actual look of the architectural structure. From its doors to all the electrical outlets, everything is drawn to make a good visualization of the architect's plans.

Also, the materials and ways how the structure will be done are also noted on the floor plan. Whether the walls will be painted, the floors will be stained and everything else is put on specification.