BluePrint reading

Blueprints: 2D views of construction projects.

3 main types of blueprints.

1. A plan view - horizontal display of the proposed building project looking down from above.
   The view is usually on a horizontal plane 30 inches (75 centimeters) above the floor.
   
   The walls are drawn as parallel lines, which vary in width to specify their thickness. Dimensions are also provided in the space between two walls, representing the sizes of all the rooms throughout the house. You’ll also be able to see
   1. Doors and windows
   2. Built-in items, such as cabinets
   3. Finishes and construction methods
      
2. An elevation view is a vertical display of 1 side of the project, from either the north, south, east or west.
   
   
3. A section view is a cut-through display showing how something will be built.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Blueprint scale and units.

Map of countries that don't use the metric system....

• Architectural (or architect's) scale uses measurements in the English system of feet and inches. Such blueprints are drawn with a particular length set equal to 1 foot. Scales range from 1/8 inch to 3 inches equal to 1 foot.
• Engineering scale uses measurements with a scale ratio that's a multiple of 10. This can be either metric measurements, or measurements in feet and decimal parts of a foot.
• Some blueprints use an English unit scale with metric conversions; this is known as dual-dimensioning. Other blueprints use only metric units.

Architectural symbols There are sets of standard symbols used to represent walls, fixtures, and other parts of a building and lot.  Most blueprints include a legend that explains the symbols used.