Elevations plans and Sections; what are they By Shabnam Arab

Eleations, plans and sections

Along with site and floor plans, there are numerous other types of diagrams you might see to support the design of a new house. These all help to ensure that the home is built accurately, communicate the architect’s ideas, objectives and detail. Amongst others, these plans include elevations, framing plans, wall sections and shadow diagrams.

What are elevations?

Elevations are diagrams showing the details of the specific side of the building. For example, an elevation could be a detailed drawing showing the front facade of the house with windows, cladding, doors, bushes and so on. Elevation diagrams could also use some shade and texture to provide a better picture of the way the house is meant to look like. Elevations will also be used to give a detailed glimpse of certain areas of an interior too (for instance, a cut-out of a kitchen) – specially to show how fixtures, doors, shelves are supposed to laid out.

What are framing plan?

A framing plan is an idea that is designed to show how structural elements like footings, girders, rafters, bracings, joists and struts are positioned, framing plans will also attribute additional detail drawings where they’re required, to show how the various elements are to be anchored, joined and fastened.

Framing plans are commonly very definite about what’s expected, for good reason. Window providing companies produce windows in various sizes, for example, so specifying what’s required particularly at this stage helping to make sure that the correct sizes are understood and that rough openings are the right fit.

What are sectional diagrams?

Section diagrams are one of the more significant tools used by the builder to construct your house.
A section diagram will show in detail what the foundations, walls, floor systems and roof are made of. This includes details on things like:
• specified construction materials
• sheathing
• insulation requirements
• heights
• framing sizes and depths
• vents
• the shape and construction of the eaves

• the pitch of the roof

What is a reflected ceiling plan ?

A reflected ceiling plan (RCP) is a drawing, which displays the items that are located on the ceiling of a room or space. It is referred to as a reflected ceiling plan since it is drawn to show a view of the ceiling as if it was reflected onto a mirror on the floor.