FHA strap- Metal straps that are used to
repair a bearing wall "cut-out", and to "tie together" wall
corners, splices, and bearing headers. Also, they are used to
hang stairs
and landings to bearing headers.
Face nail- To install nails into the vertical face of a bearing
header or beam.
Faced concrete- To finish the front and
all vertical sides of a concrete porch, step(s), or patio. Normally
the "face" is broom finished.
Facing brick- The brick used and exposed on the outside of a wall.
Usually these have a finished texture.
Fascia- Horizontal boards attached to rafter/truss ends at the
eaves and along gables. Roof drain gutters are attached to the fascia.
Felt- Tar paper. Installed under the roof shingles. Normally 15
lb. or 30 lb.
Female- Any part, such as a nut or fitting, into which another
(male) part can be inserted. Internal threads are female.
Ferrule- Metal tubes used to keep roof
gutters "open".
Long nails (ferrule spikes) are driven through these tubes and
hold the gutters in place along the fascia of the home.
Field measure- To take measurements (cabinets, countertops, stairs,
shower doors, etc.) in the home itself instead of using the blueprints.
Finger joint- A manufacturing process of interlocking two shorter
pieces of wood end to end to create a longer piece of dimensional
lumber or molding. Often used in jambs and casings and are normally
painted (instead of stained).
Fire block- Short horizontal members sometimes nailed between studs,
usually about halfway up a wall. See also 'Fire stop'.
Fire brick- Brick made of refractory ceramic material which will
resist high temperatures. Used in a fireplace and boiler.
Fireplace chase flashing pan- A large sheet of metal that is installed
around and perpendicular to the fireplace flue pipe. It's purpose
is to confine and limit the spread of fire and smoke to a small
area.
Fire-resistive or Fire rated- Applies to
materials that are not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary
fires and will withstand
such fires for at least 1 hour. Drywall used in the garage and
party walls are to be fire rated, 5/8", Type X.
Fire retardant chemical- A chemical or preparation of chemicals
used to reduce the flammability of a material or to retard the spread
of flame.
Fire stop- A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed
to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In
a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking
between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and smoke
in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing
wire holes in the top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing
blocks of wood between the wall studs at the drop soffit line. This
is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection. See also 'Fire
block'.
Fishplate (gusset)- A wood or plywood piece used to fasten the
ends of two members together at a butt joint with nails or bolts.
Sometimes used at the junction of opposite rafters near the ridge
line. Sometimes called a gang nail plate.
Fish tape- A long strip of spring steel used for fishing cables
and for pulling wires through conduit.
Fixed price contract- A contract with a set price for the work.
See Time and Materials Contract.
Fixed rate- A loan where the initial payments are based on a certain
interest rate for a stated period . The rate payable will not change
during this period regardless of changes in the lender's standard
variable rate.
Fixed Rate Mortgage- A mortgage with an interest rate that remains
the same over the years.
Flagstone (flagging or flags)- Flat stones (1 to 4 inches thick)
used for walks, steps, floors, and vertical veneer (in lieu of brick).
Flakeboard- A manufactured wood panel made
out of 1"- 2" wood chips and glue. Often used as a
substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing.
Also called OSB or wafer board.
Flame retention burner- An oil burner, designed to hold the flame
near the nozzle surface. Generally the most efficient type for residential
use.
Flashing- Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction
to protect a building from water seepage.
Flat mold- Thin wood strips installed over the butt seam of cabinet
skins.
Flat paint- An interior paint that contains a high proportion of
pigment and dries to a flat or lusterless finish.
Flatwork- Common word for concrete floors, driveways, basements,
and sidewalks.
Floating- The next-to-last stage in concrete work, when you smooth
off the job and bring water to the surface by using a hand float
or bull float.
Floating wall- A non-bearing wall built on a concrete floor. It
is constructed so that the bottom two horizontal plates can compress
or pull apart if the concrete floor moves up or down. Normally built
on basements and garage slabs.
Fluorescent lighting- A fluorescent lamp is a gas-filled glass
tube with a phosphur coating on the inside. Gas inside the tube
is ionized by electricity which causes the phosphur coating to glow.
Normally with two pins that extend from each end.
Flue- Large pipe through which fumes escape
from a gas water heater, furnace, or fireplace. Normally these
flue pipes are double walled,
galvanized sheet metal pipe and sometimes referred to as a "B
Vent". Fireplace flue pipes are normally triple walled. In
addition, nothing combustible shall be within one inch from the
flue pipe.
Flue collar- Round metal ring which fits around the heat flue pipe
after the pipe passes out of the roof.
Flue damper- An automatic door located in the flue that closes
it off when the burner turns off; purpose is to reduce heat loss
up the flue from the still-warm furnace or boiler.
Flue lining- 2-foot lengths, fire clay or terra-cotta pipe (round
or square) and usually madein all ordinary flue sizes. Used for
the inner lining of chimneys with the brick or masonry work done
around the outside. Flue linings in chimneys runs from one foot
below the flue connection to the top of the chimney.
Fly rafters- End rafters of the gable overhang supported by roof
sheathing and lookouts.
Footer, footing- Continuous 8" or 10" thick
concrete pad installed before and supports the foundation wall
or monopost.
Forced air heating - A common form of heating with natural gas,
propane, oil or electricity as a fuel. Air is heated in the furnace
and distributed through a set of metal ducts to various areas of
the house.
Form- Temporary structure erected to contain concrete during placing
and initial hardening.
Foundation- The supporting portion of a structure below the first
floor construction, or below grade, including the footings.
Foundation ties- Metal wires that hold the foundation wall panels
and rebar in place during the concrete pour.
Foundation waterproofing- High-quality below-grade moisture protection.
Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing
to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion. Normally looks like
black tar.
Frame Inspection- The act of inspecting the home's structural integrity
and it's complianceto local municipal codes.
Framer-The carpenter contractor that installs the lumber and erects
the frame, flooring system, interior walls, backing, trusses, rafters,
decking, installs all beams, stairs, soffits and all work related
to the wood structure of the home. The framer builds the home according
to the blueprints and must comply with local building codes and
regulations.
Framing- Lumber used for the structural members of a building,
such as studs, joists, and rafters.
Frieze- In house construction a horizontal member connecting the
top of the siding with the soffit of the cornice.
Frost lid- Round metal lid that is installed on a water meter pit.
Frost line- The depth of frost penetration in soil and/or the depth
at which the earth will freeze and swell. This depth varies in different
parts of the country.
Furring strips- Strips of wood, often 1 X 2 and used to shim out
and provide a level fastening surface for a wall or ceiling.
Fuse- A device often found in older homes designed to prevent overloads
in electrical lines. This protects against fire. See also 'circuit
breakers'
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