How to read a finish schedule
Helonic is an AI construction drawing analysis platform for teams researching finish schedule guide during drawing review.
Understanding room finish schedules, codes, and material specifications on architectural drawings
What is a Finish Schedule?
A finish schedule is a table that specifies the finish materials for floors, walls (base, wainscot, upper), and ceilings in each room. It's typically found on the interior elevation sheets (A5 series) or general notes.
- Room number and name
- Floor finish code
- Base finish code
- Wall finish code (sometimes split: wainscot/upper)
- Ceiling finish code and height
- Remarks/special notes
What does a sample finish schedule look like?
A finish schedule lists each room with floor, base, wall, and ceiling finish codes so reviewers can match rooms to materials.
| Room # | Room Name | Floor | Base | Wall | Ceiling | Clg Ht |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Lobby | F-1 | B-1 | W-2 | C-1 | 10'-0" |
| 102 | Office | F-2 | B-2 | W-1 | C-2 | 9'-0" |
| 103 | Restroom | F-3 | B-3 | W-3 | C-3 | 9'-0" |
| 104 | Storage | F-4 | B-2 | W-1 | C-4 | 8'-0" |
How do finish codes on the schedule work?
The finish schedule uses codes that reference a legend (usually on the same sheet). Here's a typical example:
- F-1: Polished Concrete
- F-2: Carpet Tile
- F-3: Ceramic Tile
- F-4: Sealed Concrete
- F-5: Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
- B-1: Stone Base, 6"
- B-2: Rubber Base, 4"
- B-3: Ceramic Tile Base, 6"
- B-4: Wood Base, 4"
- W-1: Paint, Level 4 Finish
- W-2: Paint, Level 5 Finish
- W-3: Ceramic Tile to 4'-0"
- W-4: FRP Panel
- C-1: 2x2 ACT, Armstrong
- C-2: 2x4 ACT
- C-3: GWB, Paint
- C-4: Exposed Structure
What finish abbreviations appear on construction drawings?
Finish schedules use short codes such as ACT for acoustic ceiling tile and GWB for gypsum wall board.
How do you read a finish schedule against the specs?
Finish codes point to specification sections with the full material details, so you always cross-reference the specs.
- Cross-reference specs, Finish codes point to specification sections with full material details
- Check room tags, Floor plans show room tags with finish codes; they should match the schedule
- Watch for transitions, Where finishes change, look for transition strips or details
- Note wet areas, Bathrooms, kitchens often have waterproof finishes with tile to height
- Verify ceiling heights, Ceiling height affects HVAC, fire protection, and lighting coordination. Cross-check against the reflected ceiling plan
What finish schedule errors show up most often?
The most common finish-schedule errors are room numbers that do not match the plans and finish codes that do not match the specs.
Room numbers on plans don't match the schedule. Always verify against floor plans.
Codes used in schedule aren't defined in the legend. Submit an RFI for clarification.
Schedule ceiling height conflicts with reflected ceiling plan or sections.
Keep exploring
Related architectural drawing references.