How to Draw Walls Floors & Roofs in Revit

Revit is not just a drafting tool—it’s a full Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform. When learning How to Draw Walls, Floors & Roofs in Revit, you’re not simply sketching lines or shapes; you’re creating intelligent building elements that understand height, thickness, materials, levels, and their relationships with other components.

If you’re new to Revit—or even if you’ve been using it for a while—getting these basics right will save you hours of rework later. In this guide, we’ll walk step by step through how to draw walls, floors, and roofs in Revit, using a practical, real-world approach rather than textbook theory.

Understanding Revit Before You Start Modeling

Before drawing anything, it’s important to understand one core idea: Revit is level-based. Almost everything you model depends on levels.

Why Levels Matter in Revit

Walls, floors, and roofs all reference levels for their base, top, or height. If your levels are wrong, your entire model will feel broken.

Best Practice for Levels

Create all main levels first (Ground Floor, First Floor, Roof, etc.)
Verify elevations using architectural drawings
Rename levels clearly (avoid default names like “Level 1” if possible)

Once levels are set correctly, modeling becomes smooth and predictable.

How to Draw Walls in Revit

Walls are usually the first elements you model in any Revit project. They define spaces, support floors and roofs, and control room boundaries.

Types of Walls in Revit

Revit offers several wall types, but the most common is Basic Wall.

Common Wall Categories

Basic Walls (most architectural walls)
Curtain Walls (glass façades)
Stacked Walls (rarely used, complex assemblies)

For most residential and commercial projects, Basic Walls are more than enough.

Step-by-Step: Drawing Walls in Revit

Step 1: Activate the Wall Tool

Go to the Architecture tab
Click Wall
Shortcut key: WA

Step 2: Choose the Wall Type

From the Properties panel:

Select wall thickness (e.g., 6″, 8″, 200mm)
Confirm material structure if needed

Step 3: Set Base and Top Constraints

This is where many beginners make mistakes.

Important Wall Settings

Base Constraint: Usually the current level
Base Offset: Keep at 0 unless needed
Top Constraint: Next level above
Unconnected Height: Use only if top constraint is not defined

Step 4: Draw the Wall

Use Pick Lines to trace imported CAD drawings
Or draw manually using Line, Rectangle, or Arc

💡 Pro Tip: Always check whether you’re drawing on the correct level before placing walls.

Editing and Modifying Walls

Wall Joins and Cleanups

Revit automatically cleans wall intersections, but sometimes manual adjustment is needed.

Useful Tools

Wall Joins
Trim/Extend
Align (AL)

Wall Openings

Doors and windows automatically cut walls when placed. For custom openings:

Use Wall Opening tool
Or model voids for complex cases

How to Draw Floors in Revit

Floors define usable spaces and structural slabs. In Revit, floors are sketch-based elements.

Understanding Floor Types

Before drawing a floor, you must choose the correct type.

Common Floor Types

Architectural Finish Floors
Structural Concrete Slabs
Raised Floors

Each floor type has:

Thickness
Layers (finish, structure, insulation)
Structural or non-structural behavior

Step-by-Step: Creating a Floor in Revit

Step 1: Go to the Correct Level

Always create floors in a Floor Plan view of the intended level.

Step 2: Activate the Floor Tool

Architecture tab → Floor → Floor: Architectural

Step 3: Select Floor Type

From Properties:

Choose slab thickness
Confirm material layers

Step 4: Sketch the Floor Boundary

Revit requires a closed loop.

Ways to Create Boundaries

Pick Walls (recommended)
Draw lines manually
Use rectangles for simple layouts

⚠️ If the boundary is not closed, Revit will not let you finish the floor.

Step 5: Finish the Sketch

Click the green Finish checkmark. Revit will generate the floor slab.

Advanced Floor Tips

Floor Offsets

Use offsets when:

Finish floor is above structural slab
Different finishes exist in the same level

Openings in Floors

For stairs, shafts, or ducts:

Use Opening by Face
Or Shaft Opening for vertical penetrations

How to Draw Roofs in Revit

Roofs are slightly more complex than walls and floors, but once you understand the logic, they become straightforward.

Types of Roofs in Revit

Roof by Footprint

Most commonly used for:

Residential buildings
Simple commercial roofs

Roof by Extrusion

Used for:

Curved roofs
Complex profiles

In this guide, we’ll focus on Roof by Footprint.

Step-by-Step: Creating a Roof by Footprint

Step 1: Go to Roof Level

Open the Roof Level floor plan.

Step 2: Activate Roof Tool

Architecture tab → Roof → Roof by Footprint

Step 3: Choose Roof Type

Select:

Sloped roof
Flat roof
Thickness and materials

Defining Roof Slopes

This step defines the roof shape.

Slope Options

Defines Slope: Checked for sloping edges
Slope Value: e.g., 1:10, 2:12

Common Mistake

Beginners often apply slope to all edges, causing strange roof geometry.

💡 Tip: Usually, only two opposite edges define slope in pitched roofs.

Step 4: Sketch Roof Boundary

Use:

Pick Walls (with overhang)
Draw lines manually

Make sure:

Boundary is closed
Overhang is consistent

Step 5: Finish Roof

Click Finish and switch to 3D view to verify the result.

Editing and Fixing Roof Issues

Adjusting Roof Shape

Use Edit Footprint
Modify slopes or boundary lines

Roof Joins

Use Join/Unjoin Roof tool to clean intersections with walls.

Attaching Walls to Roof

Select walls → Attach Top/Base → Select roof

This ensures walls follow roof slope automatically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Revit Modeling

Modeling Without Levels

Never start modeling before confirming levels.

Using Unconnected Heights Excessively

Top constraints are more reliable than manual heights.

Ignoring Wall Types

Wrong wall types can cause:

Incorrect quantities
Material takeoff errors

Not Checking in 3D

Always review walls, floors, and roofs in 3D view.

Best Workflow for Walls, Floors & Roofs

Recommended Order

Create Levels
Set Grids
Model Walls
Add Floors
Create Roofs
Attach Walls to Roofs
Review in 3D

This sequence minimizes errors and rework.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to draw walls, floors, and roofs in Revit is the foundation of every BIM project. Once these elements are modeled correctly, everything else—doors, windows, stairs, schedules, quantities—falls into place naturally.

Revit rewards patience and planning. Instead of rushing into modeling, take a few minutes to set levels, choose correct types, and understand constraints. Those small decisions make a huge difference in professional projects.

If you master these basics, you’re already ahead of many Revit users who struggle with broken models and constant revisions.