How To Read Home Plans : House Plans

How to Read Home Plans

When you're building a new home, one of the most important documents you'll need is the house plan. This plan will show you the layout of your home, as well as the dimensions of each room. It's essential to be able to read and understand house plans so that you can make informed decisions about your home's design.

What's Included in a House Plan?

A typical house plan will include the following information:

The overall layout of the home
The dimensions of each room
The location of windows and doors
The location of plumbing and electrical fixtures
The location of stairs and other structural elements

How to Read a House Plan

To read a house plan, you need to be able to understand the symbols and conventions that are used. The most common symbols are:

Exterior walls are shown as thick lines.
Interior walls are shown as thin lines.
Windows are shown as squares or rectangles with crossbars.
Doors are shown as lines with arrows.
Plumbing fixtures are shown as circles or squares with lines.
Electrical fixtures are shown as circles or squares with dots.

The dimensions of each room are usually written in the lower-left corner of the plan. The dimensions are given in feet and inches. For example, a room that is 12 feet wide and 15 feet long would be written as "12' x 15'."

Understanding the Scale

One of the most important things to understand when reading a house plan is the scale. The scale tells you how many feet each unit on the plan represents. For example, a scale of 1/4" = 1' means that each quarter inch on the plan represents one foot in real life. This scale is commonly utilized in residential house plans.

Interpreting the Plan

Once you understand the symbols and conventions, you can start to interpret the plan. Start by looking at the overall layout of the home. This will give you a good idea of the flow of the house and how the rooms are connected.

Next, take a closer look at each room. Pay attention to the dimensions, the location of windows and doors, and the location of plumbing and electrical fixtures. This information will help you to visualize the room and plan for its furniture and décor.

Working with a Professional

If you're not comfortable reading house plans, you can work with a professional. A licensed architect or draftsperson can help you to create a plan that meets your specific needs.

Conclusion

Being able to read house plans is an essential skill for anyone who is building a new home. By understanding the symbols and conventions, you can interpret the plan and make informed decisions about your home's design.