A house plan is a set of construction or working drawings

Plans (drawings)

Plans are a set of drawings or two-dimensional diagrams used to describe a place or object, or to communicate building or fabrication instructions. Usually plans are drawn or printed on paper, but they can take the form of a digital file.- Overview :...

 (sometimes still called blueprints) that define all the construction specifications of a residential house

House

A house is a building or structure that has the ability to be occupied for dwelling by human beings or other creatures. The term house includes many kinds of different dwellings ranging from rudimentary huts of nomadic tribes to free standing individual structures...

 such as dimensions, materials, layouts, installation methods and techniques.

Drawing Set

The principal information provided in set of house drawings are as follows:

• Site plans are drawn to show the location of a home on the property in its context. It is an overhead view of the construction site and the home as it sits in reference to the boundaries of the lot. Site plans should outline location of utility services, setback requirements, easements, location of driveways and walkways, and sometimes even topographical data that specifies the slope of the terrain.

• A floor plan
  Floor plan
  In architecture and building engineering, a floor plan, or floorplan, is a diagram, usually to scale, showing a view from above of the relationships between rooms, spaces and other physical features at one level of a structure....
  
  is an overhead view of the completed house. You'll see parallel lines that scale at whatever width the walls are required to be. Dimensions are usually drawn between the walls to specify room sizes and wall lengths. Floor plans will also indicate rooms, all the doors and windows and any built-in elements, such as plumbing
  Plumbing
  Plumbing is the system of pipes and drains installed in a building for the distribution of potable drinking water and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping...
  
   fixture
  Plumbing fixture
  A plumbing fixture is an exchangeable device which can be connected to an existing plumbing system to deliver and drain away water but which is also configured to enable a particular use.-Common fixtures:The most common plumbing fixtures are:*Bathtubs...
  
  s and cabinets
  Cabinet (furniture)
  A cabinet is usually a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors or drawers for storing miscellaneous items. Some cabinets stand alone while others are built into a wall or are attached to it like a medicine cabinet. Cabinets are typically made of wood or, now increasingly, of synthetic...
  
  , water heaters and furnaces, etc. Floor plans will include notes to specify finishes, construction methods, or symbols for electrical items.

• Elevations are a non-perspective view of the home. These are drawn to scale so that measurements can be taken for any aspect necessary. Plans include front, rear and both side elevations. The elevations specify ridge heights, the positioning of the final fall of the land, exterior finishes, roof pitches and other details that are necessary to give the home its exterior architectural styling.

• A section
  Cross section (geometry)
  In geometry, a cross-section is the intersection of a figure in 2-dimensional space with a line, or of a body in 3-dimensional space with a plane, etc...
  
  cuts through the dwelling and the location of this 'cut through' is noted on the floor plan. It describes how the building will be constructed and discusses how the internal finishes are to look. Sections are used because they explain certain conditions in more detail. These conditions may include ceiling
  Ceiling
  A ceiling is an overhead interior surface that covers the upper limit of a room. It is generally not a structural element, but a finished surface concealing the underside of the floor or roof structure above....
  
   height, ceiling type (flat or vault
  Vault (architecture)
  A Vault is an architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof. The parts of a vault exert lateral thrust that require a counter resistance. When vaults are built underground, the ground gives all the resistance required...
  
  ), and window and door dimensions.

Additional information as follows may also be provided:

• Foundation
  Foundation (architecture)
  A foundation is the lowest and supporting layer of a structure. Foundations are generally divided into two categories: shallow foundations and deep foundations.-Shallow foundations:...
  
   plan, including dimensions and locations for footings
  Foundation (architecture)
  A foundation is the lowest and supporting layer of a structure. Foundations are generally divided into two categories: shallow foundations and deep foundations.-Shallow foundations:...
  
  .
• Framing
  Framing (construction)
  Framing, in construction known as light-frame construction, is a building technique based around structural members, usually called studs, which provide a stable frame to which interior and exterior wall coverings are attached, and covered by a roof comprising horizontal ceiling joists and sloping...
  
   plan, for wall, including the size of the lumber
  Lumber
  Lumber or timber is wood in any of its stages from felling through readiness for use as structural material for construction, or wood pulp for paper production....
  
   to be used - usually 2x4 or 2x6.
• The Sub-floor Plan gives details of how this area will be constructed and how services will be arranged.
• Roof plans, including type, pitch
  Roof pitch
  In building construction, roof pitch is a numerical measure of the steepness of a roof, and a pitched roof is a roof that is steep.The roof's pitch is the measured vertical rise divided by the measured horizontal span, the same thing as what is called "slope" in geometry. Roof pitch is typically...
  
   and framing
  Framing (construction)
  Framing, in construction known as light-frame construction, is a building technique based around structural members, usually called studs, which provide a stable frame to which interior and exterior wall coverings are attached, and covered by a roof comprising horizontal ceiling joists and sloping...
  
  .
• Interior elevation drawings (interior walls).
• Detail drawings, such as built-in shelving
  Shelving
  In surgery, the shelving is the fascia between the inguinal ligaments and above the pubic symphysis. It is the natural extension of the transversalis fascia...
  
  , molding
  Molding (decorative)
  Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
  
  s, and column
  Column
  A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
  
  s.
• Schedules for elements such as windows and doors.
• Structural layouts.
• Electrical and telecoms
  Telecommunication
  Telecommunication is the transmission of information over significant distances to communicate. In earlier times, telecommunications involved the use of visual signals, such as beacons, smoke signals, semaphore telegraphs, signal flags, and optical heliographs, or audio messages via coded...
  
   drawings: show locations of all the outlets, TV sockets, switches and fixtures. Also indicates which switches operate which lights, and where the electric lines should be run,.
• Plumbing
  Plumbing
  Plumbing is the system of pipes and drains installed in a building for the distribution of potable drinking water and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping...
  
   schematic drawing: plumbing fixture
  Plumbing fixture
  A plumbing fixture is an exchangeable device which can be connected to an existing plumbing system to deliver and drain away water but which is also configured to enable a particular use.-Common fixtures:The most common plumbing fixtures are:*Bathtubs...
  
  s and piping
  Piping
  Within industry, piping is a system of pipes used to convey fluids from one location to another. The engineering discipline of piping design studies the efficient transport of fluid....
  
  .

Lines and symbols

House plans use the following lines and symbols to convey the relationship between objects:

• Dimension lines, which consist of a solid line with a mark at either end; space between the two marks equals the distance noted next to the line.
• Wall
  Wall
  A wall is a usually solid structure that defines and sometimes protects an area. Most commonly, a wall delineates a building and supports its superstructure, separates space in buildings into rooms, or protects or delineates a space in the open air...
  
   : one uses thick solid lines for wall
  Wall
  A wall is a usually solid structure that defines and sometimes protects an area. Most commonly, a wall delineates a building and supports its superstructure, separates space in buildings into rooms, or protects or delineates a space in the open air...
  
  s.
• Partial height
  Height
  Height is the measurement of vertical distance, but has two meanings in common use. It can either indicate how "tall" something is, or how "high up" it is. For example "The height of the building is 50 m" or "The height of the airplane is 10,000 m"...
  
   wall, low wall that doesn't go all the way to the ceiling.
• Thin solid lines are used for built-in structures (such as cabinets
  Cabinet (furniture)
  A cabinet is usually a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors or drawers for storing miscellaneous items. Some cabinets stand alone while others are built into a wall or are attached to it like a medicine cabinet. Cabinets are typically made of wood or, now increasingly, of synthetic...
  
  , bookshelves, or plumbing fixtures).
• Thin dotted lines indicate overhead
  Overhead
  Overhead may be:* Overhead , the ongoing operating costs of running a business* Engineering overhead, ancillary design features required by a component of a device...
  
   features, such as wall cabinets in a kitchen or a special ceiling treatment or an archway
  Arch
  An arch is a structure that spans a space and supports a load. Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture and their systematic use started with the Ancient Romans who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures.-Technical aspects:The...
  
   in the living room.
• North arrow
• Doors:
  • Door swing
  • Bifold doors
  • Passage (hinged) door
    Door
    A door is a movable structure used to open and close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates inside of a space....
    
    s
• Sliding glass door
  Sliding glass door
  A Sliding glass door or Patio door, a type of sliding door in architecture and construction, is a large glass window opening in a structure that provide door access from a room to the outdoors, fresh air, and copious natural light. A sliding glass door is usually considered a single unit consisting...
  
  
• Window
  Window
  A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
  
  
• Toilet
  Toilet
  A toilet is a sanitation fixture used primarily for the disposal of human excrement, often found in a small room referred to as a toilet/bathroom/lavatory...
  
  
• Bathtub
  Bathtub
  A bath , bathtub , or tub is a large container for holding water in which a person may bathe . Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel over steel or cast iron, and occasionally waterproof finished wood...
  
  
• Shower
  Shower
  A shower is an area in which one bathes underneath a spray of water.- History :...
  
  
• Bathroom sink
  Sink
  A sink is a bowl-shaped plumbing fixture used for washing hands, for dishwashing or other purposes. Sinks generally have taps that supply hot and cold water and may include a spray feature to be used for faster rinsing...
  
  
• Kitchen sink
• Kitchen range
• Refrigerator
  Refrigerator
  A refrigerator is a common household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room...
  
  
• Washer
  Washing machine
  A washing machine is a machine designed to wash laundry, such as clothing, towels and sheets...
  
  /Dryer
  Clothes dryer
  A clothes dryer or tumble dryer is a household appliance that is used to remove moisture from a load of clothing and other textiles, generally shortly after they are cleaned in a washing machine....
  
  
• Tree
• Shrub
  Shrub
  A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
  
  

Spaces and rooms

House plans generally include the following features, depending on the size and type of house:

• Patio
  Patio
  A patio is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a residence and is typically paved. It may refer to a roofless inner courtyard of the sort found in Spanish-style dwellings or a paved area between a residence and a garden....
  
  s, terrace
  Terrace (building)
  A terrace is an outdoor, occupiable extension of a building above ground level. Although its physical characteristics may vary to a great degree, a terrace will generally be larger than a balcony and will have an "open-top" facing the sky...
  
   or veranda
• Garage
  Garage (house)
  A residential garage is part of a home, or an associated building, designed or used for storing a vehicle or vehicles. In some places the term is used synonymously with "carport", though that term normally describes a structure that is not completely enclosed.- British residential garages:Those...
  
  
• Formal dining room
  Dining room
  A dining room is a room for consuming food. In modern times it is usually adjacent to the kitchen for convenience in serving, although in medieval times it was often on an entirely different floor level...
  
  
• Porch
  Porch
  A porch is external to the walls of the main building proper, but may be enclosed by screen, latticework, broad windows, or other light frame walls extending from the main structure.There are various styles of porches, all of which depend on the architectural tradition of its location...
  
  
• Bedroom
  Bedroom
  A bedroom is a private room where people usually sleep for the night or relax during the day.About one third of our lives are spent sleeping and most of the time we are asleep, we are sleeping in a bedroom. To be considered a bedroom the room needs to have bed. Bedrooms can range from really simple...
  
  
• Bathroom
  Bathroom
  A bathroom is a room for bathing in containing a bathtub and/or a shower and optionally a toilet, a sink/hand basin/wash basin and possibly also a bidet....
  
  
• Kitchen
  Kitchen
  A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food preparation.In the West, a modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with a stove, a sink with hot and cold running water, a refrigerator and kitchen cabinets arranged according to a modular design. Many households have a...
  
  
• Breakfast
  Breakfast
  Breakfast is the first meal taken after rising from a night's sleep, most often eaten in the early morning before undertaking the day's work...
  
   nook
• Living room
  Living room
  A living room, also known as sitting room, lounge room or lounge , is a room for entertaining adult guests, reading, or other activities...
  
  
• Fireplace
  Fireplace
  A fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
  
  
• Basement
  Basement
  __FORCETOC__A basement is one or more floors of a building that are either completely or partially below the ground floor. Basements are typically used as a utility space for a building where such items as the furnace, water heater, breaker panel or fuse box, car park, and air-conditioning system...
  
  s
• Office
  Office
  An office is generally a room or other area in which people work, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it ; the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the...
  
  s
• Closet
  Closet
  A closet is a small and enclosed space, a cabinet, or a cupboard in a house or building used for general storage or hanging clothes. A closet for food storage is usually referred to as a pantry...
  
  s
• Den
  Den (room)
  A den is a comfortable, usually secluded room in a house. In the United States, the type of rooms described by the term den varies considerably by region...
  
   (study
  Study (room)
  A study is a room in a house which is used for paperwork, computer work, or reading. Historically, the study of a house was reserved for use as the private office and reading room of a family father as the formal head of a household, but today studies are generally either used to operate a home...
  
  )
• Attic
  Attic
  An attic is a space found directly below the pitched roof of a house or other building . Attic is generally the American/Canadian reference to it...
  
  s
• Hallways, Vestibule
  Vestibule (architecture)
  A vestibule is a lobby, entrance hall, or passage between the entrance and the interior of a building.The same term can apply to structures in modern or ancient roman architecture. In modern architecture vestibule typically refers to a small room or hall between an entrance and the interior of...
  
  
• and other interiors

Open floorplan

An open floorplan is one which values wide, unenclosed spaces. They are made possible by curtain-wall technology, which rendered the use of internal load-bearing walls obsolete in the mid twentieth century.

An open floor plan limits or excludes walls separating the main living areas of the house (living room, dining room, kitchen) to allow for entertaining or interaction between family.