What are Elevations? Important Terms to Know in Construction

Planning a construction project without elevations is like navigating a new destination without a map. Understanding elevations is the key to ensuring that your project will look good as it does on paper.

So, what are elevations? In this article, we’ll explore the definition, importance, and expert tips on reading elevations.

What are Elevations in Construction?

An elevation plan is a two-dimensional drawing that shows how the building design looks from one angle (front, side, or back).

Clear and detailed elevation plans guide both project design and construction by providing the following information:

• Building’s orientation (North, East, West, or South)
• Roof style and slope
• Fenestration (size, style, and placement of doors and windows)
• Landscaping and Exterior features
• Materials used for each element
• Structure scale (dimensions, floor levels, and ceiling heights)

Why are Elevations Important in the Construction Industry?

Elevations are crucial for project management for two main reasons: visualization and communication.

Architects use elevations to communicate their design ideas and help clients picture how the finished structure will look.

Elevations also act as a communication tool between the construction crew and design team from beginning to end of the project— for defining the scope of work (SOW) to creating a punch list.

Beyond just project management, elevations are also valuable for:

• obtaining building permits and approvals, ensuring that the design meets local building codes and standards
• serving as a reference guide for future upgrades or renovations.
• documenting a historical building’s architectural style for potential modifications and updates.
• engaging clients during the design process, allowing them to provide feedback when necessary.

How to Read an Elevation Plan? The Types, Tips and Construction Terminology You Need to Know

Elevations may look like simple sketches, but they can be tricky without understanding common construction terms and symbols. Here’s a simplified guide:

Know the different types of elevation

Different types of elevations provide a complete view of the building. These include:

• Front Elevation: Shows the most visible side— the building’s facade, building’s facade, highlighting the overall aesthetic.
• Rear Elevation: Displaysthe backside details, like back entrance and patios.It’s used for ensuring design cohesiveness for residential projects.
• Side Elevation: Features the building’s lateral views. It showcases details like roof slope and side window arrangement, which are vital for checking the building’s proportions.
• Interior Elevation: Zooms in on the design details of a wall in any room. It provides a close-up look at how the doors, windows, and cabinets are arranged in the wall.

Check the dimensions and scale

Look at both dimensions and scale to fully understand the building’s proportions and real-life size.

Dimensions are numerical values that indicate the exact measurement of the design elements while scale is the ratio of the drawing size vs. the actual building size.

For example, a scale of 1:100 means that 1 unit of the drawing equals 100 units (1 inch= 100 inches).

Understand the symbols

Building features and materials are represented by symbols in elevations.

Lines are used to represent hidden features, visible edges, and centerlines while door and window symbols show placement and dimensions.

Review the annotations and notes to clarify the meaning of these symbols.

Cross-reference with other construction drawings

To get a complete picture of the building design, compare elevations with the section and floor plans. This will help you see how the vertical design relates to the horizontal layout.

Look for grid lines, section cuts, or elevation tags to find the connection between these plans.

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Elevations FAQs

What is the difference between floor plans, sections, and elevations?

An elevation view shows what the building looks like from a specific angle.

On the other hand, a section view (also sometimes called cross section elevation drawing) shows the building’s interior as if it’s sliced vertically, providing details like ceiling heights and floor levels.

Finally, the floor plan view provides a top-down perspective, revealing the arrangement of rooms and interior spaces from above.

Do I need elevation drawings for a small project?

Elevations may not be required for small projects, like small interior renovations, basic landscaping projects, or any non-structural renovations and upgrades.

Do I need a certified elevation drawing for my project?

Typically, certified elevations are typically required for obtaining a permit and large-scale construction projects while non-certified plans may work for simple, small-scale, and non-structural projects. It can also be used as a personal reference during the initial planning phases.