An elevation drawing is the flat, straight-on view of a building’s face — the drawing type that shows height, proportion and the look of a wall, inside or out.
What Is an Elevation Drawing?
An elevation is a two-dimensional, orthographic drawing of one vertical face of a building or room, viewed straight on with no perspective. Where a floor plan looks down, an elevation looks across — showing heights, openings, finishes and vertical relationships that a plan cannot.
Interior vs. Exterior Elevations
- Exterior elevations show the outside faces — facades, windows, rooflines, cladding and materials. They’re used for design, permitting and facade work.
- Interior elevations show inside walls — cabinetry, tiling, fixtures and millwork. They’re essential for kitchens, bathrooms and fit-outs.
What Elevation Drawings Show
Heights and floor-to-ceiling dimensions, window and door positions, finishes and materials, and vertical alignment between elements. Together with plans and sections, elevations complete the picture of a space.
Creating Elevations from a 3D Laser Scan
Accurate elevations start with accurate measurement. A 3D laser scan captures every surface as a point cloud, and technicians draw true-to-reality elevations directly over that data — part of a complete set of as-built drawings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an elevation drawing?
A straight-on, 2D drawing of one vertical face of a building or room, showing heights, openings and finishes without perspective.
What is the difference between interior and exterior elevations?
Exterior elevations show the outside faces of a building; interior elevations show the inside walls, such as cabinetry, tiling and fixtures.
How are elevation drawings created?
They are drawn from measured data. Today that data usually comes from a 3D laser scan, which records every surface accurately as a point cloud.
What’s the difference between an elevation and a section?
An elevation shows a vertical face seen from outside that plane; a section cuts through the building to show what’s inside the wall or space.
