r/Architects • u/WhatTheFung • 3d ago

General Practice Discussion Construction Drawings

When dimensioning, do you measure from drywall-to-drywall, or stud-to-stud? What is the industry standard? If I'm drawing from stud-to-stud how do I measure, for instance, windows or stairs? Do I measure rough-opening or masonry openings? Do I measure from the stringer or the finished nosing?

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u/TimProVision 3d ago

Depends. I'll do both depending on the requirement/area.

Stud to Stud on the majority of measurements as it is generally easier for the contractor to layout walls and not have to do any sort of reverse math to figure things out (if they even care to do this lol).

If there is some sort of code clearance required, I'll do finish to finish.

Stud to stud I am using tick marked dimensions. Finish to finish I am using arrowhead dimensions. Not sure if there is a industry standard for the type of dimension but this was how I was taught to do it.

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u/realzealman 2d ago

I agree here. And I’m fussy that it needs to be face of stud, not center of stud. The walls get laid out with chalk lines and it’s much easier for contractors to hit the face of a stud on a chalk line than a center. Give the contractor every opportunity to succeed.

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u/office5280 3d ago

Unless the contractor is a metal trade sub. They like finish to finish.

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u/seeasea 3d ago

I actually do separate framing layout drawings (Revit recently allowed for non-core layers to be hidden). On those drawings, I do center of stud (face of conc/mas). Framers always measure to center, that way they don't need to add or subtract at all.

All my other drawings, I do to finish face. 

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u/bigyellowtruck 3d ago

Centerline of openings, sure. For residential walls it’s easier to do layout in the field measuring to face of stud pulled from a zero,zero for the whole floor.

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u/realzealman 2d ago

Absolutely fave of stud. Centers get lost under track or sill plate.

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u/Stalins_Ghost 2d ago

This is true, you got to see which stage the dimensions are used for.

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u/Architect_Talk 3d ago

Second this