ELEVATIONS are orthographic projections showing the finished interior and exterior appearance of the structure. Interior elevations are required for important features, such as built-in cabinets and shelves, but it is not uncommon for elevations to be drawn for all interior walls in each room of a building.

Cabinet elevations show the cabinet lengths and heights, distance between base cabinets and wall cabinets, shelf arrangements, doors and direction of door swings, and materials used. Interior wall elevations show wall lengths, finished floor-to-ceiling heights, doors, windows, other openings, and types of finish materials used.

Exterior elevations show the types of materials used on the exterior, where the materials are used, the finished grade around the structure, the roof slope, the basement or foundation walls, footings, and all of the vertical dimensions.

Basically, four elevations are needed in a set of drawings to complete the exterior description: the front, the rear, and two sides of a structure, as they would appear projected on vertical planes. A typical elevation is drawn at the same scale as the floor plan, either 1/4 in. = 1 ft or 1/8 in. = 1 ft, but occasionally a smaller scale may be used because of space limitations, or a larger scale, to show more detail.

There are several methods used to identify each elevation as it relates to the floor plan. The method most commonly used by SEABEEs is to label the elevations with the same terminology used in multi-view and orthographic projection; that is, FRONT, REAR, RIGHT-SIDE, and LEFT-SIDE ELEVATIONS (fig. 10-16). On

Figure 10-17.-Use of a letter to identify elevation on irregular floor plans.

irregular plans, such as shown in figure 10-17, the elevations may be identified by a letter or a number.

The following basic procedures will serve as a guide in the development and drawing of elevations:

1. Use the same sheet size as that of the floor plan. Determine the overall height and length of the elevation from the floor plan and wall section (predetermined by prior computation or a sketch). We assume that you are using the same scale for elevations as for the floor plan. Block in the views with construction lines placed in a logical order, such as starting with the front view and working around the building. Generally, the front and right-side elevations are next to each other, and the rear (if necessary) and the left-side elevations are shown below. Whenever possible, show all of the elevations on one sheet.

2. Draw the exterior limits of the elevations. The floor plan may be placed underneath the drafting sheet on which the elevations will be drawn. Vertical projections determine and define the length of exterior walls, any breaks or corners along the wall, windows, roof overhang, doors, and other elements, such as chimney location. Horizontal projections from a wall section locate the height of the doors and windows, the cave line, the bottom of fascia, the top and bottom of the footing, and the top of the roof to the space in which the elevation is to be drawn.

3. Repeat this process until all of the elevations are lightly laid out and final changes are incorporated into the exterior design. Darken the drawing, following the same procedures used in the floor plan: from left to right, top to bottom, until completed. You must remember that all of the portions drawn below the grade line are shown with a dark hidden line, and the grade line is the darkest line on the elevation drawing (disregarding the border lines).

4. Add the dimensions. Show only vertical dimensions to include the following: the bottom of the footing, all of the finished floor lines, finished ceiling lines, finished grade, height of features, chimney height, and freestanding walls. Refer to chapter 3 of this book for additional information on drafting format, conventions, and techniques.

5. Add all notes and pertinent information on exterior materials and finishes, title, scale, window identification marks, and roof pitch. Section symbols (fig. 10-6) may be shown on the elevation to indicate where the sections have been taken (fig. 10-16).

6. Finish up the elevations by adding the material symbols (fig. 10-7). Notice that symbols do not take the place of the material notations; they just supplement them. Go over your elevation checklist for completeness and accuracy of information.