Glossary

Fascia: A vertical wood member, such as a cedar 1" x 6", which is nailed to the ends of the rafters and is often the backing of the gutter.

Feathering strips: Tapered wood filler strips placed along the butt edges of old wood shingles to create a level surface when re-roofing over existing wood shingle roofs. Also called "horse feathers."

Felt: Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or sheathing paper.

Fibered Aluminum Roof Coating: High-performance metallic reflective barrier for prepared roofing, metal surfaces and exterior masonry. Reflects sun's harmful rays, reduces energy costs in summer and winter while prolonging surface life.

Fibered  Foundation Coating: Combined application for this special medium-viscosity-grade fibered material. Use as a  foundation coating. High-performance metallic reflective barrier for prepared roofing, metal surfaces and exterior masonry. Reflects sun's harmful rays, reduces energy costs in summer and winter while prolonging surface life.

Fibered  Foundation Coating: Combined application for this special medium-viscosity-grade fibered material. Use as a  foundation coating. *Also see Foundation Coating*

Fibered Roof Coating: Optimal protection for low-sloped roofs. This thick, high-quality coating seals fine cracks and openings. Renews and rejuvenates old composition roofing and prolongs roof life. Also performs well on metal or concrete surfaces.

Fiberglass mat: An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers.

Fixed Price Contract: A contract with a set price for the work. See Time and Materials Contract.

Flapper: Also known as flush ball, the flapper is the moving part of the flush valve that seals the water into the tank or allows water to exit the tank for the flush cycle. This is the predominant replacement part used on conventional toilets.

Flashing: 1. Sheet metal or roll roofing pieces fitted to the joint of any roof intersection, penetration or projection (chimneys, copings, dormers, valleys, vent pipes, etc.) in order to prevent water leakage.  2. The building component used to connect portions of a roof, deck, or siding material to another surface such as a chimney, wall, or vent pipe. Often made out of various metals, rubber or tar and is mostly intended to prevent water entry.

Float ball: The floating ball connected to the Ball cock inside the tank, which rises or falls with changing water levels in the tank, and actuates or shuts off the Ball cock as needed.

Floor area: The total space covered by all floors in a building.  Length X width for total square footage.

Floor plan: A sketch of an existing or proposed building showing the design and layout of the building and the specifications of each room. May also show doors, windows, stairways and other features.

Fixed Price Contract: A contract with a set price for the work.

Footing: The rectangular concrete forms found under foundation walls, slabs or above piers. Footings support the weight of the object above it.

FOUNDATION: The supporting portion of a structure that includes everything below the first floor or below grade.

Foundation Coating: High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion.

Foundation Coating: High-quality below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent corrosion.

Frame construction: A style of construction where the load bearing structural supports of the building are make of wood framing.

FRAME WALL: Any structural wall made of studs with a bottom and top plate and some wall covering such as drywall, paneling or plaster.

Free-tab shingles: Shingles that do not contain factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive. See also self-sealing shingles.

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 plastic ducts to various areas of the house.

Framing: The structural wood and/or metal elements of most homes. The floor and ceiling framing is called the joist work. Wall framing is usually made out of 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" studs.

Frost line: The typical depth of frost penetration below the surface of the ground in any particular geographical location.

Fungal Wood Rot: A common wood destroying organism which develops when wood containing material is exposed to moisture and poor air circulation for a long (6 month +) period of time. Often and incorrectly referred to as dry rot.

Furring: Small strips of wood that are applied to a wall or other surface to act as a fastening piece for the finishing material.

Fuse: A device often found in older homes designed to prevent overloads in electrical lines - see 'circuit breakers'.