F

Fabrication

The construction or assembly of parts.

Facade

Refers to the exterior face of a building.

Face Brick

When selecting bricks, this one is picked on the basis of appearance and durability. Generally used in the exposed surface of walls.

Face Frame

In cabinetry it's the front framework from which cabinet doors are hung and drawers are inserted.

Faced Wall

Type of wall in which the masonry facing and the backing are of different materials and bonded to act together under load.

Facet

A small flat surface.

Facing

Masonry composing an essential part of a wall used as a finished surface.

Falsework

Formwork and shoring for concrete that's removed after the concrete cures.

Faucet

A valve for drawing water.

Faux Marble

Fake marble simulated by painting marble grains on a background of plaster, wood or metal.

Feng Shui

A Chinese cultural method for arranging and shaping buildings.

Ferroconcrete

Reinforced concrete.

Fiberboard

Also called Insulation Board, this prefabricated sheet of compressed wood is used in building.

Field Concrete

Concrete that's mixed, placed, and cured on a job site.

Field Painting

Painting done at the job site.

Field Primed

First coat of paint applied on the job site rather than at the fabrication shop.

Fiberglass
The name for products made of or with glass in a fibrous form used to make various types of products including bathtubs.

Filigree

Fine metal ornamental work of gold, silver, or copper.

Filling In

Laying brick or other masonry units in the center of a wall, between the face and back.

Final Setting Time

Time required for concrete to achieve final set.

Finish Coat
A top or final coat.

Fixed Price Contract

This type of contract holds a set and agreed-upon price for the work.

Fixture

Typically in bathrooms and kitchens, fixtures include faucets, bathtubs, sinks and anything exterior to the wall.

Flat
A type of paint finish with virtually no gloss or shine.

Floor Area

Simply the square footage of a building or space.

Floor Plan

A drawing of a building showing the proposed design and specifications. Also shows windows, doors, walls and stairwells.

Frame Wall

A structural wall that is part of a building, made of studs, bottom and top plate, and a wall covering.

French Hinged Door

Hinged doors with multiple glass panes, extending for most of the door’s lengths.

Frieze

A decorative band, usually horizontal, that's found on the interior or exterior of a home.

Finish Plaster

The final layer of plaster coating.

Finish Plywood

The finest grade of plywood.

Firebox

The part of a fireplace that contains the fire.

Fire Rated Brick

Brick that's been tested for fire-resistance and graded for distinctive construction use. Usually suitable for use in masonry fireplaces, fireboxes and fire chambers.

Fish Eyes

Used to describe small blemishes sometimes found in lime finish coats and caused by lumpy lime.

Fish Tape

A steel tape contained in a reel and used to push through an electrical conduit and pull wire.

Fished Joint

An end butt splice reinforced by pieces nailed on the sides.

Fixture Carrier

Built into a wall, this mounting frame is built to support plumbing fixtures.

Flagstone

Also called a flag, this hard flat stone slab used for paving.

Flash Cove

When a sheet of flooring is turned up at the edge and finished against a wall to create a built-in baseboard.

Flat Finish

A dull finish with no gloss.

Flat Paint

Interior paint that when dry produces a flat finish.

Floor Brick

An abrasion resistant brick, smooth and dense, used for finishing floor surfaces.

Floor Masonry

Masonry units such as, tile, stone, ceramic brick and concrete used for finished flooring.

Floor Molding

A piece of trim located where the wall and floor meet.

Floor Slab

Reinforced concrete slab used as a floor.

Flowing Varnish

A varnish designed to produce a smooth glossy surface without polishing.

Flue Liner

Heat-resistant materials that make up the lining of a chimney.

Flue

An opening in a chimney through which smoke passes.

Flush Bolt

A bolt designed to be flush with the face or edge of a door.

Flush Molding

Piece of trim fastened flat or flush with a wall.

Flying Buttress

Masonry buttress that forms an arch with the wall it supports.

Formica

A brand name for the various laminated plastic products used for surface finish on cabinets.

Foyer

Lobby, entrance hallway or vestibule.

Frame High

Constructing brickwork up to the top of a door or window frame.

Fretwork

Ornamental openwork designs cut in woodwork with a fretsaw.

Fuse
An electrical safety device which regulates electricity when circuits are overloaded.