1. Exterior Elevations

2. Elevations Elevation-
An orthographic projection that shows the finished appearance of the side of a building and its vertical dimensions. Typically 4 are drawn (one for each side)

3. Elevations Required info
Identification of the specific side of the house
Grade level (ground)
Finished floor/ceiling levels with dimensions
Doors/windows
Roof features
Porches/decks/patios
Materials (hatching)
Landscaping

4. Elevations
Elevation Dimensions

5. Elevations- Student Example
Prairie House Style (In a Cold Climate)

6. Elevations- Student Example
Prairie House Style (In a Cold Climate)

7. Elevations- Student Example
Prairie House Style (In a Cold Climate)

8. Elevations- Student Example
Prairie House Style (In a Cold Climate)

9. Elevations- Student Example
Neo-Classical House Style (In a Tropical Climate)

10. Elevations- Student Example
Federal (Colonial) House Style

11. Elevation Rules
Typically the tops of the windows and doors are placed at the same height
6’-8” thru 6’-10” from the top of the subfloor
Show sufficient detail on windows and doors

12. Drawing An Elevation
Vertical dimensions are determined using the wall section

13. Drawing An Elevation
Walls, windows, and doors are located by projecting lines from the floor plan

14. Drawing An Elevation
Walls, windows, and doors are located by projecting lines from the floor plan

15. Exterior Building Materials
The exterior should be aesthetically pleasing, yet it has to withstand the elements (rain, wind, snow, sleet, sun, etc.)

16. Exterior Building Materials
Vinyl Siding-
Made from: a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic
Pros: Inexpensive, won’t rot or peel and should last about 40 years. Easy to clean (with a hose). Available in a variety of colors and often looks like real wood.
Cons: Nasty source of organic pollutants. Hard to recycle.

17. Exterior Building Materials
Fiber Cement-
Inexpensive and popular. Made of cement, sand, wood fiber, additives, and water and typically looks like wood, stucco, or masonry
Unlike most wood it’s insect-, water-, and fire-resistant; won’t rot or crack; and resists hail damage.

18. Exterior Building Materials
Stucco-
Made from: Cement combined with water and inert materials such as sand and lime
Pros: Survives well in harsh marine climates, is fire resistant, long lasting, can be tinted a variety of colors (no painting)
Cons: Occasional need to repair cracks in the finish. Real stucco can be expensive
Synthetic stucco is less expensive and less likely to crack

19. Exterior Building Materials
Wood Siding: Clapboard & Cedar Shingle-
Real solid wood products that are more expensive, but better quality for finer homes (usually cedar, pine, spruce, redwood, cypress, or Douglas fir)
With periodic care, wood siding will outlast vinyl and other pretenders
Wood Clapboard
Cedar Shingle

20. Exterior Building Materials
Engineered Wood-
Also called composite wood. Made with wood products and other materials (ex. oriented strand board, hardboard, and veneered plywood). Cheaper solution to real wood.
Comes in panels that are easy and inexpensive to install. Does not look exactly like real wood, but is more natural than vinyl or aluminum.

21. Exterior Building Materials
Brick and Brick Veneer Siding-
Made of fired clay, brick comes in a wide variety of earthy, eye- pleasing colors. Although it is expensive, brick is desirable because it can last centuries and is fireproof.
Quality brick veneers are also attractive and durable, although they don't have the longevity of solid brick.
Brick Veneers
Brick

22. Exterior Building Materials
Stone Veneer Siding-
Precast stone veneers and facings are more affordable than real stone. Can look like granite, limestone, slate, and other types of stone.
Stone is the most durable of building materials and is weatherproof and fireproof.

23. Exterior Building Materials
Exposed Concrete-
With ICF construction, homeowners are finding that they can save money and have a more durable home (Instead of traditional wood framing). Durable, compact, weather and fireproof. Can be painted.
Heavy and can be expensive to build.

24. Exterior Building Materials
Material Combinations

25. Exterior Accessories Trim / Molding-
Protects edges of house and adds detail to the exterior
Comes in a variety of materials.

26. Exterior Accessories Trim / Molding-
Protects edges of house and adds detail to the exterior
Comes in a variety of materials.

27. Exterior Accessories
Without trim
With trim

28. Exterior Accessories Shutters-
Solid and stable hinged window coverings used to block light and protect windows from elements. Mostly, they are just decorative.
Made out of vinyl, which is ideal for use outdoors, or wood, which is waterproofed with chemicals.

29. Exterior Accessories Gable Type Ventilators-
Attic ventilation is necessary to reduce moisture condensation under the sheathing and cool the house interior during warm weather,

30. Resources
Resources:
Kicklighter, Clois E. “Architecture: residential drawing and design.“ Illinois: The Goodheart-Wilcox Company, Inc; 1995.
Chapter 18: Elevations (pg.319)
Exterior Building Materials tm
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31. The End