How to Read Framing Plans

Framing plans are the pages of a detailed construction drawing that indicate the type of materials, the size and dimension, the spacing and the location of the members used to construct the framework of a house. Framing plans are often drawn over a ghost of the floor plans with lines to indicate the location of horizontal framing members, such as joists and rafters, so that the relative location of the joist to the room walls and openings is clearly demonstrated and bearing walls are easily identified. Framing plans may use notations, sections (cut through views,) or elevations (straight on views) to illustrate the details and location of wall and beam framing. Many stock plans do not include framing plans and rely upon the builder to determine the framing details based upon knowledge of local code or standard practices. When framing plans are included, it provides a valuable resource that will allow an accurate determination of materials needed, and will ensure that the structural elements of the building are correctly sized.

Triangular scale

Instructions

- 1
  Open up the plans on a large flat surface. Find the pages of the framing plans as identified by the title block. Locate the legend which indicates the scale of the drawings for each page (i.e. such as ¼-inch equals 1-foot) and find the corresponding units on the triangular scale.
- 2
  Review the framing plan pages for general notations; call out boxes, schedules of materials, areas expanded for detail or anything that provides important framing information. Wall locations are identified by the floor plans, but details about materials will typically be included as notations on the framing plans or indicated within the sections and elevations.
- 3
  Open the framing plan to the first floor to locate girders or beams that must be framed over the crawl space or basement piers and columns (some plans may include this on the foundation or basement pages.) Notations will call out the size of the wood members used to frame the beams, such as 3 2-by-10s. Use the scale to measure the span of the beams between piers or columns to determine the length of material needed to construct the beam. Check all other floor and ceiling framing plans for reference to beams and headers needed to support other floors and ceiling spans.
- 4
  Find the indications of the floor joist on the framing plan, represented by a series of parallel lines. To determine the length of the joists, use the scale to measure the approximate length of the span of the joists in each different area (distance between supports.) Quantity can be determined by counting the number indicated on the plan for each length you measure. Be sure to note where joists are to be doubled, or possibly tripled, such as under parallel walls, and where blocking between joists is indicated. Each additional floor, ceiling and roof will have similar pages and use the same process to indicate the type and location of materials used for each framing component.

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