Architectural Drawing Key Terms

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Construction documents

Back

The contracts, drawings, and specifications requirements for a new construction project or remodel project. Drawings offer precise, technical information and include floor plans, elevations, sections, and detail drawings.

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Print

Back

A copy of a construction drawing

Front

Architectural symbol

Back

A symbolic representation of a building element used on drawings showing its placement in relationship to other elements in the structure.

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Section view

Back

A portion of the set of construction plans that shows a section or cut through of the structure, revealing the composition of the wall, floor, and roof framing systems.

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Detail view

Back

Shows a detail of the plan that has been magnified for closer inspection of its construction elements, aiding the contractor in knowing specific details.

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Floor plan

Back

Shows the location of walls, windows, doors, fixtures, and placement of various systems in a structure from an overhead or bird’s eye view.

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Elevations

Back

A 2-D drawing of a wall from floor to ceiling in a structure, including structural elements such as doors and windows, and may show fixtures and built-in components.

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T-square

Back

T-shaped ruler used in mechanical drawings to create horizontal lines.

Front

Architectural triangle

Back

Tools pre-calibrated at specific angles to aid the designer in creating accurate drawings.

Front

Architectural scale

Back

A measuring device calibrated to assist in the creation of accurate scaled drawings, consisting of 12 scaled calibrations.