How to read a finish schedule
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.
A Finish Schedule Typically Shows
- 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
Sample Finish Schedule
| 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" |
Finish Code Legend
The finish schedule uses codes that reference a legend (usually on the same sheet). Here's a typical example:
Floor Finishes
- F-1: Polished Concrete
- F-2: Carpet Tile
- F-3: Ceramic Tile
- F-4: Sealed Concrete
- F-5: Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Base Finishes
- B-1: Stone Base, 6"
- B-2: Rubber Base, 4"
- B-3: Ceramic Tile Base, 6"
- B-4: Wood Base, 4"
Wall Finishes
- W-1: Paint, Level 4 Finish
- W-2: Paint, Level 5 Finish
- W-3: Ceramic Tile to 4'-0"
- W-4: FRP Panel
Ceiling Finishes
- C-1: 2x2 ACT, Armstrong
- C-2: 2x4 ACT
- C-3: GWB, Paint
- C-4: Exposed Structure
Common Finish Abbreviations
ACT
Acoustic Ceiling Tile
GWB
Gypsum Wall Board
LVT
Luxury Vinyl Tile
VCT
Vinyl Composition Tile
CT
Ceramic Tile
PT
Porcelain Tile
FRP
Fiberglass Reinforced Panel
WD
Wood
STL
Steel
CONC
Concrete
CPT
Carpet
RB
Rubber Base
Tips for Reading Finish Schedules
- 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
Common Finish Schedule Errors
Error
Inconsistent room numbers
Room numbers on plans don't match the schedule. Always verify against floor plans.
Error
Missing finish code definitions
Codes used in schedule aren't defined in the legend. Submit an RFI for clarification.
Error
Ceiling height conflicts
Schedule ceiling height conflicts with reflected ceiling plan or sections.
Keep exploring
Related architectural drawing references.