What does a plan view typically fail to provide that an elevation view does?

A plan view represents a layout of a building from a top-down perspective, illustrating the arrangement of spaces, rooms, and sometimes furniture. However, it does not convey information about the height of walls, the vertical placement of features, or the overall dimensions of the structure in a vertical context. This characteristic is where elevation views excel, as they present the exterior appearance of a building from each side, clearly showing the heights of walls, roofs, and other vertical elements.

In contrast, the other aspects mentioned in the choices, such as floor layouts, window and door placements, and building material specifications, can often be derived from either view, especially if the plan view is detailed. Therefore, the distinction lies in the presentation of vertical dimensions and height information, which is specifically captured by elevation views and not by plan views.