Copyright 2003.
Stone Mountain Cabins

facade: The front elevation or face of a structure.

face size: The exposed width of a modeled piece of lumber after installation.

face veneer: Veneer selected for exposed surfaces in plywood. Especially selected for decorative paneling.

facing: Any material attached to the outer portion of a wall used as a finished surface.

fascia: A vertical board nailed onto the ends of the rafters.

fill: Sand, gravel, or loose earth used to bring a sub grade up to a desired level around a house.

filled insulation: A loose insulating material poured from bags or blown by machine into walls.

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.

firewall: Any wall designed to resist the spread of fire between sections of a house. Firewalls are commonly used between the main structure and an attached garage. Fire resistant materials are designed specifically for this purpose.

firebrick: A brick that is especially hard and heat-resistant; used in fireplaces.

flagstone: Flat stone used for floors, steps, walks, or walls.

flashing: Sheet metal or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a building from water seepage.

flue: The space or passage in a chimney through which smoke, gas, or fumes ascend. Each passage is called a flue, which together with any others and the surrounding masonry make up the chimney.

flue lining: Fireclay or terracotta pipe, round or square, usually made in all ordinary flue sizes and in 2 ft. lengths. Used for the inner lining of chimneys with the brick or masonry work around the outside. Flue lining in chimneys runs from about a foot below the flue connection to the top of the chimney.

footing: A concrete section in a rectangular form wider than the bottom of the foundation wall or pier it supports.

form, concrete: A temporary structure built to contain concrete during pouring and initial hardening.

foundation: The supporting portion of a structure below the first-floor construction, or below grade, including the footings.

framing, balloon: A system of framing a building in which all vertical structural elements of the bearing walls and partitions consist of single pieces extending from the top of the foundation sill plate to the roof plate and to which all floor joists are fastened.

framing, platform: A system of framing a building in which floor joists of each story rest on the top plates of the story below or on the foundation sill for the first story, and the bearing walls and partitions rest on the subfloor of each.

frieze: In home construction, a horizontal member connecting the top of the siding with the soffit of the cornice

frostline: The depth of frost penetration in soil. This depth varies in different parts of the country. Footings should be placed below this depth to prevent movement.

furring: The use of wood strips (or other materials) as a method of finishing the interior face of masonry wall. Furring provides a space for insulation, helps prevent moisture transmission, and provides a level surface for paneling or other surface finishing treatment.

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