158 Chapter 6
order to clearly show the materials, dimensions, method of building, desired joint or attachment, and so
on, these enlargements are referred to as details.
Details are most commonly drawn as sections. It is as if a slice is made through a specific area and
the inner components made visible. Detail drawings are one of the most important sources of informa-
tion available to the contractor about specific parts of the construction. A detail contains both graphic and
written information. There are many, many types of details. A drawing sheet will often include several
details. The complexity of the project will determine which areas need to be shown at a larger scale. De-
tails are not limited to architectural drawings but can be used in structural and site plans and, to a lesser
degree, in mechanical or electrical plans.
Details are always drawn to scale. A typical scale for a detail is three inches = one foot (scale: 3" =
1'0"). The scale for each detail will vary depending on how much information is required to make the con-
struction clear to the builder. Each detail will be titled with the scale noted below it. Figure 6.24 shows
different types of details found in a typical construction set.
Figure 6.23A Examples of millwork drawings and details.