134 Chapter 6
required. Sometimes the elevation dimensions are given as decimals (7.5 feet as opposed to 7 feet,
6 inches). Along with the dimensions on the elevations, notes are included to supplement and clarify in-
formation in a floor plan. In general, dimensions are usually kept to a minimum on elevations. Most con-
sultants use elevations to depict sizes of major components, with the majority of dimensions placed on
the sections, which provide greater clarity regarding construction materials and methods.
Interior elevations show the inside walls of a space. Figure 6.12C shows a kitchen elevation. Notice
that the annotations take the form of specifications and are written at their appropriate location and not
as notes to the side.
Sections.
Sections are usually used to clarify the building design and construction process. Transverse and longi-
tudinal sections are usually drawn at the same scale as the floor plan and show views of cross sections
cut by vertical planes. A floor plan or foundation plan, cut by a horizontal plane, is a section as well as a
plan view, but it is seldom called a section. They offer a view through a part of the structure not found on
other drawings. To show as much construction information as possible, it is not uncommon for staggered
(offset) cutting planes to be used in developing sections. To reduce the time and effort required for draft-
ing and to simplify the construction drawings, it is common practice to use typical sections where exact
duplications would otherwise occur.
Figure 6.12A Four exterior elevations of a house will normally accurately depict its features, including
materials used and vertical heights.