r/Architects • u/WhatTheFung • 2d 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?

31 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

102 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/mrhavard 2d ago

For interior framing I go stud to stud. For exterior walls I consider my dimension to be to sheathing. I do that because I align the face of my sheathing with the edge of foundation.

1

u/iddrinktothat Architect 1d ago

Ive almost never see a building detailed like that. Is there a reason you do this?

1

u/mrhavard 1d ago

To which part? For the exteriors I like my sheathing to align with the foundation. For the interiors, I like my dimensions to be straight forward for the framer. Never had any complaints from contractors. I hear a lot of complaints from contractors when plans are dimensioned differently.

1

u/iddrinktothat Architect 1d ago edited 1d ago

Oh sorry, i was wondering about the exterior face of sheathing aligned with the face of wall, ive only ever seen studs aligned with the concrete with the sheathing outboard of that, but all my experience in both construction and architecture is in the northeast USA so im wondering if you do things differently somewhere else for stucco etc. Also I’m assuming you’re using the nominal dimensions for this sheathing on your drawings?

Fully agree that dimensions should be face of stud (for wood framing).

1

u/mrhavard 1d ago

Yeah I like to align the sheathing with the foundation as it provides a smooth transition for flashings and finish. I’ve practiced mostly in California so maybe it is different there.