Garage Blueprints Explained

Garage blueprints are drawn on large sheets of paper and are drawn on a smaller scale. This scale is necessary so that if any changes are needed you, or the contractor, can write them in on the sheet and scale the drawing to the right measurements. The floor plan is usually drawn to ¼ inch scale meaning that every ¼ inch on the drawing is equal to one inch in the actual length. Other drawings, such as the framing or other built in items may be on a larger or smaller scale. The scale of each drawing is detailed on the page, usually just beneath the title.

The elevations give you a non-perspective view of the garage. They are drawn to scale so that it is easy for you to get the measurements of any aspect of the blueprint. These drawings include the elevations of the front, the rear and both of the sides. They tell you the ridge heights, the positioning you should have for the final grade of the lot, the exterior finish, the pitch of the roof and any other details you might need about the architectural style of the garage.

The floor plan is the easiest part of the blueprint to understand. This is basically an overhead view of the garage, almost as if you were looking down on the garage through the roof. Parallel lines show you where the walls will be and the dimensions are usually drawn between the lines to show you the overall length and width of the room. The floor plan will also show you where the cabinets and workbench will be placed as well as other storage features. There may even be notes to help you with finishes and construction methods.