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First Floor Plan

The plan of the first floor is almost always the first plan to be drawn. With the conventional drawings to follow, it is a simple matter to draw any plan. Almost all residential drawings are made to the scale of one quarter inch equals one foot. The outside walls are drawn in first, scaling four to six inches for frame buildings, and then the interior partitions and details. It is then completely dimensioned even though it scales exactly to size because the dimensions are of greater importance. You wouldn’t expect the framer to have to use a scale to find where the walls are placed.

Second Floor Plan

The outside walls of this plan and the main partitions are derived from the first floor plan. If possible, run the second floor partitions over the first, or as near to them as practical to carry weight down to the foundation or basement.

Basement Plan

The plan of the basement is also derived from the first floor plan because its outside dimensions are the same. The main wall is made of masonry block or concrete that is eight to twelve inches thick, rests upon an twenty four inch wide footing, and runs up to and beyond the grade line (ground level). Through the center, to support the long span of the joists, a girder is run. This is then held up by posts resting on a concrete footing. You have to be very careful to dimension the basement plan exactly because it is the foundation of the structure and the first part of the building that is to be built. Some drafters will locate the heater, waste pipe, and sewer outlet on this plan.

Elevations

The exterior views called the elevations comes next. The floor plan is placed over the elevation that is being drawn, and all the points projected up to it. When one elevation is finished, its heights can be projected to the next view in the same manner.

Section or Sections

The section is where a horizontal line is cut through the building as if chopped with a knife to show how the building is constructed. A scaled section clears up a lot of confused detail. It shows all trim, stairs, and construction details in a way that there is very little room for confusion. The section is one of the most important drawings and it should not be neglected or omitted in any way.

About the Author

To learn more about Working Drawings along with creating an entire set of house plans, visit House Plan Drafting 101 at http://houseplandrafting101.com. My name is Tim Davis and I created that course.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100625-123406 Tim Davis Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:34:06 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100625-123406 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100616-121047
Completely avoiding out of the normal geometry, these structures were well proportioned and their dignity was and is displayed with the utmost pride. These homes were so direct and straightforward that there were no obstacles to the work of builders and so well created with such good design that even though a great deal of design styles have come and gone, the old Colonial still remains a mainstay design even in the twenty first century..

The beauty as a result of balance or harmonious arrangement of the exterior of the colonial should never be strayed from. At each end of the building you would see stately chimneys always equal in size, whether they were functional or not; and in order to avoid the use of windows of different size, it was common to see a stairway cross a window without any attempt whatsoever to hide it from view outside. You would almost suspect that the designers were lazy because it seemed like they traced one half of the exterior elevation, and then, flipping the paper over on its face, retrace it to balance the original.

Then, as now, the degree of formality and stateliness obtainable in a building depended upon how much money was in your pocket. Additional money available in the hands of capable designers made sure that the architectural composition was properly completed and enhanced the decorative effect. This is illustrated in walls. The simplest and cheapest were those of plain brickwork, or large brick or stone covering with a coarse plaster of lime, shells, and pebbles used for outside wall surfaces. Variations of these were the laying of brick in the Flemish bond or other ornamental methods of laying brick, and the forming of projecting pilasters, bands or string courses.

Even though these houses most often stood off by themselves in the open country, there was a definite effort to concentrate great thought and workmanship into their fronts. A larger degree of formality with a corresponding increase in the expenditure of money, effort, etc. was obtained by simple but large quoins or projecting brick courses at the corners of the building.

Finally the greatest example of stateliness was arrived at by cutting the stone of walls into regular shapes and sizes forming ashlar work which was a thin, dressed rectangles of stone oddly spaced, but with a recognizable pattern.

Most of these type homes can be found in the southeastern United States and especially in north and central Georgia and east Tennessee. Many of these have stood the test of centuries and still as beautiful today as they were when they were built well before the Civil War.

About the Author

To learn more about architectural styles, along with creating an entire set of house drawings, visit House Plan Drafting 101 at http://houseplandrafting101.com. My name is Tim Davis and I created that course.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100616-121047 Tim Davis Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:10:47 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100616-121047 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100526-144633
There are several considerations that have to be made when drawing an electrical plan for a house. They are as follows:

The Meter and Service Box

The electrical meter is always on the exterior of the home. This is the location where power enters the house into the circuit box. The circuit box is located no more than twelve feet away from where the power enters the homes. From this location electricity is distributed to the individual rooms. The circuit box is usually located in a service area of a home like the utility room or kitchen. If the home has a basement, this is usually the preferred location for it to be placed.

Light Fixtures, Light Switches, and Receptacles

Light fixtures are usually placed in the middle of a room to allow even lighting throughout. Sometimes these are included in special fixtures like ceiling fans. When a fixture is placed in a large closet, it is usually mounted so that it is at least three feet from where the clothing is hung to insure against a fire from its heat. Exterior lighting should be waterproof in some way to eliminate the possibility of electrical short.

The light switches almost always are mounted next to a room entrance for convenience. When switching an exterior light, these are usually located inside near the exterior lights location.

Receptacles, also known as outlets are usually spaced every six feet in a room. This is to make sure that electrical cords do not have to be stretched far from the appliance they are powering. Some times a homeowner requests that the top half of a receptacle be controlled by a light switch to make turning off lamps simpler. Exterior receptacles and those inside the house within six feet of a water source like a sink are ground fault interrupt. This is to eliminate possible shock if shorted by water.

All of these are one hundred and twenty volt with a few exceptions and the amperage varies.

Smoke Detectors

These are required by code for fire safety. The must be located in each individual bedroom and also near each exit from the home. These are usually battery powered so that even if the power is out, they will still function.

Wiring Connections

These are usually drawn using a arched dashed line showing which switch controls what light or receptacle.

There are many more considerations like two twenty volt power for appliances such as the stove or electrical clothes dryer. You may also place special fixtures like phone jacks and cable tv connections on this plan.
About the Author

To learn more about drawing an electrical plan along with creating an entire set of house drawings, visit House Plan Drafting 101 at http://houseplandrafting101.com. My name is Tim Davis and I created that course.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100526-144633 Tim Davis Wed, 26 May 2010 20:46:33 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=05&entry=entry100526-144633 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100513-120504
A major part of these people use a tool called a CAD or Computer Aided Drafting program to draw complete technical drawings of structures. In times past, before the advent of computers, a drafting board and its related equipment were used. Some still use these today.

The drafter usually starts creating a drawing from a sketch and lays out the floor plan with all walls, windows, and doors. The Floor Plan is the template for your entire set of drawings. From this plan they show where the owner or builder wants the electrical, show how big the rooms are, place dimensions to define the house, note the window and door sizes, etc. They could start with the exterior views but that would limit the interior of the home to the shape of the outside.

The next drawing to be created is the foundation or basement plan. In standard construction, houses are built on masonry foundations or basements. A foundation is the part of the home that anchors it to or keeps it from settling into the ground. Usually noted on the foundation or basement are the thickness of the walls, the locations of the joists or floor trusses, the locations of the piers or posts to hold up the floor along with the dimensions.

And then the exterior views or elevations are drawn which depict how the home will look from the outside once completed. This drawing includes the front, left, rear, and right views and sometimes a roof plan.

About the Author

My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans at http://houseplandrafting101.com. If you want to learn other types of drafting in a virtual classroom on the internet go to http://101info.org where House Plan Drafting 101 is included along with how to draw site plans, blueprint reading, mechanical drafting, and a whole lot more.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100513-120504 Tim Davis Thu, 13 May 2010 18:05:04 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=05&entry=entry100513-120504 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100506-151920
To start with, you need to understand how a Floor Plan is layed out. The floor plan is actually the basis for your entire set of drawings. It is from this plan where we define how large the over all house is, how large our rooms are, note our window and door sizes, and so on, and this is where we begin. You could start with the outside views, but that would limit the interior of the house to what the outside looks like. That is not a good idea! The house needs to be functional first and the we can deal with how the home looks on the outside after we have a layout.

Anyway, the home builder would probably appreciate knowing the dimensional locations of the walls, windows, & doors. They would also need to know what door and window sizes are, not to mention locations of anything else special that is on the plan. That's where the dimensions and notes come in handy. You will need to know how to create a dimensional string and group your notes where they are not confusing.

When you design the kitchen. you need to understand the mechanics of a well designed and workable cooking area. The kitchen is a place where the homemaker spends a great deal of their time. It needs to be easy to move around in and functional. The most desired layout for a kitchen is one where the least steps are taken to reach each appliance. They call this the working triangle. A comfortable working triangle is limited to 12 to 14 feet all the way around.

When creating an electrical plan, it is very important to you as this part of your drawings gives you the opportunity to customize the home with your electrical power and comfort needs! Sometimes however, it is not always needed. What I mean to say is that any professional electrician who has taken the test for his or her license knows what is required electrical service by code. It is possible that they have already wired quite a few residences and besides any special needs or preferences, can do the job without this particular plan. Always be careful though! Certain municipalities require that the one designing the electrical be a licensed architect or electrical engineer. Make sure that you check with your local building official to see what you are allowed or not allowed to do. It is better to know up front than to have extra headaches down the road.

In standard construction in the south eastern United States, houses are built on Masonry foundations or basements. A foundation is the part of the home that anchors or keeps the house from settling into the ground. You will need to know what the minimum wall thickness is and how to span your joists or trusses for the floor that sits on the basement of foundation.

What about how the exterior is going to look? It is a big deal if you are wanting to get the idea across of how the finished house is going to look when construction is complete. You will need to determine where the grade (ground) level is on the house so that you do not design a window or door where it would be underground. Dirt does not make a pretty view from a window. You will also have to determine the best roof pitch, do we use brick, siding or rock, and things like that.

Then, to keep the contractor from having to guess, if there is anything special you are wanting to place into your house, how will the builder know unless you show them? You can make all the notes you please on your plans and elevations, but the idea of how you want the house constructed may not always be crystal clear. That is why you need to know how to draw special details.

Then there is the job of finishing your drawings properly and not letting mistakes and slip-ups make it to the construction site. You will need to learn the most common mistakes made by drafters who draw house plans so you can look out for them! And then you will need to figure out how to print your drawings and in what format and size.

About the Author

My name is Tim Davis and I draw architectural plans for a living. I also teach others how to draw house plans at http://houseplandrafting101.com. If you want to learn other types of drafting in a virtual classroom on the internet go to http://101info.org where House Plan Drafting 101 is included along with how to draw site plans, blueprint reading, mechanical drafting, and a whole lot more.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100506-151920 Tim Davis Thu, 06 May 2010 21:19:20 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=05&entry=entry100506-151920 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100426-094547
One of the best layouts includes a bar built into the counter space or better still, a breakfast nook which is directly connected to the kitchen for morning meals. The bar or table located in the nook is a wonderful place for the kids to do school projects or homework. It is also a great place for mom and dad to balance the check book or some other task.

If you pay enough attention to the appeal of the kitchen, it can also help you control how tidy the rest of the house is if you have little ones. If the kids are content to spend a majority of time in the kitchen and nook area, there is less chance they will be spreading chaos into the rest of the house. With that said, there should be a bit of a buffer area between the noon and kitchen area for them to play. Not much, but enough where they will have a bit of play area so that they can be watched while you complete tasks in the kitchen. Just make sure that area is safely away from the stove to avoid burns.

A well designed kitchen should also be easy to work in. For example, we should design it so that there is a twelve to fourteen foot triangle between the stove, sink, and refrigerator. No more, no less. This allows for less steps which equals less work and more food preparation and cooking.

Plenty of natural light should also be considered. A nice sized window maybe placed directly over the sink if possible would help illuminate the area. If it is not possible to place a window over the sink, maybe install large windows in the nook area to reflect light into the cooking area.

There ought to be plenty of storage space if possible, including a pantry integrated into a closet. Make sure it is in easy reach of the cabinets. In corner cabinets, a Lazy Susan should be installed. The “Lazy Susan” is a rotating set of shelves installed so that everything can be reached by turning it like a carousel.

Don’t underestimate the importance of drawers. Drawers are very handy for storing silverware and a good designer will make sure that there are some deep drawers for those miscellaneous things that always seem to show up in the kitchen. If the truth be known, junk drawers are not a bad idea for keeping the kitchen uncluttered. Some cabinet companies have racks built into special cabinets that pull out like drawers for storing pots and pans that are hung on special runners for saving space.

Time and labor savers like a dishwasher and trash compactor should be installed near the sink. Other appliances to be considered would be a built in microwave for quick snacks and warming up meals.

About the Author

Tim Davis is an experienced architectural designer who specializes not only in residential house plans, but also commercial.

Residential Home Design: http://customhouseplans.8m.com
Commercial Building Design: http://buildingdrawings.8m.com]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100426-094547 Tim Davis Mon, 26 Apr 2010 15:45:47 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=04&entry=entry100426-094547 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100421-143838
First of all, never build a home without obtaining a complete set of plans. I have seen quite a few homes that were a total train wreck because the builder did not have a set of plans to follow. Or if they did, they were sketches on a sheet of notebook paper. And the houses ended up a mess with roof pitches that were too high, rooms were out of proportion, and exterior materials did not match the home.

With a set of house plans, the owner knows right up front what they should expect their home to look like and if it has enough room to meet their life style. Not only this but, the plans are actually like a contract between the builder and owner as to what is expected. This actually protects both parties. Make sure that if any changes are made during construction it is marked on the plans and initialed by both parties.

Last, if you have never built a home, you probably do not realize what it means to keep clear of liens. The lien laws are very harsh on the builder of a home in most states. Any company that has furnished material like lumber, sheetrock, etc., basically any material that went into the construction can file a lien on your property and make you pay for it a second time if the contractor has not settled their accounts. That is unless you have taken the precaution of making sure your contractor furnishes you with receipts for all the material from the ones who supplied it.

By being a bit cautious, you can overcome all of these possible problems and make building your home a pleasure instead of a pain. Have a complete set of plans drawn and insist that the contractor following them completely. Also insist on a "surety bond" from the contractor to protect you against any material liens if the contractor fails to pay any of his or her bills. Do not make any changes in the plans after signing the contract unless they are noted on a master set of plans. This also makes sure the bonding company does not have a loophole to weasel out of paying if the contractor does not pay their bills.

Be involved in the building process and ask questions if something does not seem right. This little extra step has avoided more misunderstandings than anything other precautionary effort. And most of all be ready to communicate with your builder. They can not read your mind you know.

About the Author

Tim Davis is an experienced architectural designer who specializes not only in residential house plans, but also commercial.

Residential Home Design: http://customhouseplans.8m.com
Commercial Building Design: http://buildingdrawings.8m.com]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100421-143838 Tim Davis Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:38:38 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=04&entry=entry100421-143838 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100409-161436
Quality commercial building plans need to include unique design features that will make your building stand out from the competition. With the right appeal, it can actually add to the attractiveness of your business and make people take notice as they drive by. Such an appeal can add to your bottom line and increase the number of your customers and your success rate - even before your doors ever open.
The process of getting the right architectural plans for your commercial building starts out with obtaining a set of complete blueprints for your building. Architectural drawings will need to be made for each aspect of the building.
This will include:

•Foundation plans
•Floor plans
•Exterior views
•Framing plans
•Electrical plans
•HVAC plans
•Plumbing plans
•Sectional Plans
•Roof plans
•Site plans
•And a few more as needed.

Besides needing the basic plans and a great exterior, you will also need commercial design plans for the interior of the building. This should also be given much thought because the building layout is important in making your visitors feel at home - and wanting to come back. The appeal needs to be inside and outside.

Adding into your commercial building plans the needed sizes and features for those with disabilities will further ensure that your customers are happy with your new building design. This may benefit both your visitors and possibly some employees, as well. Having these features will also enable your building to resell faster, too, because little upgrading will be required if that need should ever arise.

Once the architectural plans are complete, you can take a set of presentation drawings to potential lenders. They will need to see what you are planning on doing and these drawings from your architect or designer will be able to sell them on the idea. Most likely, you will want to take an isometric drawing and a floor plan.

Depending on where you live, your architectural plans for your new commercial building will need to be examined by the local planning commission. This group, as well as the building inspectors, will look over your plans and make sure that everything fits either into the local plans for the future, and for any potential problems with the design.

Selecting a contractor is the final major step in the procedure. You will want to find one that is familiar with commercial building construction and also has a solid reputation. It is also very important that you have the contractor agree to follow the architectural blueprints as given.

About the Author

Being a business owner who has decided to build a building for their business can be facing a very daunting task. Why not hire a design professional to help you with your new building? Tim Davis is a fully trained Architectural Designer with over twenty years experience who would be more than happy to help you with your plans. His website is at http://buildingdrawings.8m.com...]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100409-161436 Tim Davis Fri, 09 Apr 2010 22:14:36 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=04&entry=entry100409-161436 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100408-092926
Which opens another profession called “Construction Estimation”. A construction estimator is a professional, not unlike an accountant, who is familiar with architectural drawings. With that knowledge they are able to calculate the different areas of the proposed homes or commercial structures from the completed building plans and then supply an accurate list of materials that will be used to construct a building.

The methods they use are like the following example:

Lets say we have a building where the back wall is fifty six feet. When we multiply this dimension by twelve inches which is how many inches we have in a foot, we find that we have six hundred and seventy two inches. Our two by four studs are sixteen inches apart, so we divide six hundred and seventy two inches by sixteen inches and we wind up with forty two studs.

The above example and similar formulas would be then used throughout the entire structure to find out how many floor joists, rafters or trusses, masonry block, sheetrock or wall paneling, roof and floor decking, etc., are needed.

Then each electrical and plumbing fixtures would be counted along with the wiring and their connectors and pipes for the plumbing and their connections. Wiring would be measured using the plan to calculate how far each receptacle, switch, and light are from each other giving just a bit extra to make sure there is enough for the job. The same method would be used for the pipe used in the plumbing construction.

Windows and doors would also be counted one by one along with any other special trims and fixtures.

About the Author

Tim Davis is a fully trained architectural designer who has created a complete course on creating a (BOM) Bill Of Materials called “Material Take Off From A Set Of House Plans” at http://101info.org/material. He has also created a course entitled House Plan Drafting 101 where you learn to draw complete house plans at http://houseplandrafting101.com.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100408-092926 Tim Davis Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:29:26 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=04&entry=entry100408-092926 http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100406-122108
The process starts with the floor plan where studs and plates are calculated using the linear dimension of the walls. This process is used to calculate both the interior and exterior walls.

Afterwards, exterior sheathing and interior sheetrock is calculated by multiplying the height of the walls by the length which results in a square footage figure which is divided into the amount of sheets used. This process is also used for the floor decking and ceiling sheetrock. Then trim for the baseboard and openings is calculated using the length of the walls.

The foundation or basement is generally figured in the same way. In other words the wall area is calculated to square inches and then divided by the amount of square inches in a masonary block. Most masonry block manufacturers have the formula to tell how much mortar is needed to put the blocks together. The footings are calculated by the amount of cubic yards are contained in them.

Next the doors, windows, counters & cabinets, plumbing fixtures, are counted along with the electrical outlets, light fixtures, switches, wire lengths, receptacle boxes, and all other remaining items. These items are summed up by the number of times they appear on the plan. The wiring is calculated by length measurements from one fixture to the next.

There are specific formulas or methods used to finally end up with a list that can be carried to a building supply for pricing. Sometimes the building supply company will complete this list for you in order to insure your business.

About the Author

Tim Davis is a fully trained architectural designer who has created a complete course on creating a (BOM) Bill Of Materials called “Material Take Off From A Set Of House Plans” at http://101info.org/material. He has also created a course entitled House Plan Drafting 101 where you learn to draw complete house plans at http://houseplandrafting101.com.]]> http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/index.php?entry=entry100406-122108 Tim Davis Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:21:08 GMT http://houseplandrafting101.com/repository/comments.php?y=10&m=04&entry=entry100406-122108