Construction plans feature symbols that represent components of the completed structure.

The symbols are mostly standardized, but architects have latitude to use their own symbols.
Either way, the plan will feature a key explaining what the symbols mean. On your plan,
you’ll notice several different types of lines. These lines indicate everything from the visible
and invisible sides of objects to the dimensions and center axes of objects.
Floor plans are architectural plans that show the layout of each level of the structure. The
drafter shows the layout from an overhead perspective that omits the roof and any upper
floors. The floor plans illustrate the configuration of internal walls, doors, windows, and wall
insets, such as fireplaces and chimneys. They also indicate the placement of permanent
fixtures, such as bathrooms, major appliances, and internal structures (stairways or
elevators). Each floor will have a floor plan that includes a description of the intended uses
of rooms or other internal spaces. The designer will indicate both door and window sizes
and give dimensions, including lengths, widths, and internal square footages.
Foundation plans are a type of structural engineering plan. They can also refer to subfloor
plans or, in some cases, basement floor plans. They show the sizes, shapes, thicknesses,
configurations, and elevations of foundation walls and footings, including interior load-
bearing walls and exterior post footings. Foundation plans will also show the positioning of
reinforcing bars and the connections and attachments via anchor bolts or weld plates
between the foundation’s structural members.
Elevations are side views of a building that may show either the exterior or the interior and
omit external walls. Exterior elevations show the placement of doors and windows, the
external finish of the building, including any masonry or other decorative elements, and a
side view of the roofing. They may also indicate the natural slope of the ground around the
base of the building. Interior elevations show the height and placement of cabinets,
countertops, and detailing, such as tiles on bathroom walls. 
Cross sections are also a kind of side view, but these represent a vertical slice through the
building to show all internal components. A cross section details both visible components,
such as stairs, sidings, and roofing, and concealed components, such as framing members,
headers, and insulation.

Roof plans The roof plan typically illustrates ridges, valleys, and hips. It also may
indicate the roofing material and slopes of roof surfaces, as well as chimneys
and decorative elements.

Walls, Windows, and Doors - Plan Symbols and Features

The walls are the strongest visual elements in a floor plan. Walls are
represented by parallel lines and may be solid or filled with a pattern. Breaks
in walls indicate doors, windows and openings between rooms.
door floor plans are drawn as thin rectangles and may include an arc to
indicate the swing direction.

Windows are breaks in walls crossed by thin lines showing the glass and the
frame. Swinging windows (casements) may show a line or an arc to indicate
the direction that the window opens.

Stairs

Stairs are drawn as a series of rectangles (usually with a direction arrow

indicating whether the stairs travel up to the next higher floor or down).
Where the stair rises three feet above the floor it is cut with a diagonal line.
Stairs above the “cut line” are shown with dashed lines.

Furniture, Fixtures, Fittings, and Finishes

Most floor plans show the location of sinks, toilets, and other critical fixtures.
Skilled designers focus intently on locating kitchen and bath fixtures because
they know that precise layout matters. The placement of a refrigerator in
relation to the sink, oven and range can determine if a kitchen is comfortable
or awkward. Similarly, a toilet placed too close to a vanity makes a bathroom
difficult to use comfortably.

Key fixtures and appliances are pretty easy to spot.

Measurements - Size and Width, Furniture and Use

More detailed floor plans with dimensions include “dimension strings” to

locate windows, doors, walls and other architectural elements. Dimension
strings are drawn parallel to the element with 45º “hash marks” at each end of
the dimension string indicating where the measurement starts and ends.

Architects may include furniture to help you imagine how a space might be
furnished. The experience of the plan is enriched by imagining yourself in the
house, lying in bed and looking out your new French doors or sitting on a
comfortable sofa sharing a drink with friends. Picturing yourself in the plan
makes evaluating a design less abstract and can help you avoid creating
rooms and spaces that do not work. Be careful to ensure that any existing
furniture that you plan to re-use has similar dimensions to the models in the
design
Room sizes
All dimensions are always presented in feet and inches
Room dimensions are presented in width by the length. For example, a room
that has a dimension of 12' x 16' means it's 12 feet wide (from side to side)  by
16 feet long (from top to bottom).

Kitchen and Bathroom Details

Kitchens are without a doubt, the heart of the home. Your floor plans should
show locations of the range and/or cook top, oven, fridge and freezers,
microwave, sink, and dishwasher. All of these details will be shown and
labeled to help visualize your space. Other details can include: upper cabinet
locations, flush eating bars and cabinet voids.

Understanding Your House Plan

Now that we’ve covered the types of plans that are commonly used, it’s important to know what your
home plans will include. Included with your house plans you’ll find details on the exterior elevations,
the floor plans, foundation and/or basement plans, building sections and details, roof plans, cabinet
layouts, electrical locations, and general notes.

Exterior elevation drawings detail the exterior of a home. This provides information regarding where
the windows, doors, and exterior trim can be found, as well as illustrations on the wall heights, roof
pitches, and ridge heights. Floor plans, usually given with one sheet for each floor, in many cases,
are the most important drawings in terms of your home plans. You’ll find that they include the most
critical dimensions and specs needed to build the home. They include structural details like floor
joists, but they also may include details regarding electrical elements like lights and plugs.
Foundation and basement plans will illustrate the foundation of the home, including structural
beams, footings, and other structural elements. If the home has a basement, the basement plans will
also show the stairs, bearing walls, and basement windows.
Building sections and details show how the different levels and areas of the plan work in conjunction
with each other—while the roof plan provides a bird’s eye view of the home. This drawing shows the
ridges, hips and valleys, and may also show each rafter or truss.