Filters:  #   A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z   All

Fascia A band of timber or plastic boarding fitted below a wallhead on a building with a flat or low-pitched roof. It is sometimes decorative, but often functions as a weather baffle, or supports gutter fixings.   Felt (roofing) A layer of fibrous material, impregnated with bitumen, and coated with a layer of bitumen, often with fine gravel applied to it. Used for covering flat and low-pitched roofs. Multiple layers can be used in exposed conditions, or to give longer life It is a good material if its limited life is accepted, and if is kept in good repair. Because it is impervious, it is important that the under-surface of the supporting material (usually plywood) is well ventilated.  Related Words  Bitumen, bituminous Fibreglass A material made by impregnating a mat of spun glass (glass fibre) with some kind of resin. It has been used as a material for gutters, and as a lightweight substitute for metal structures. It is prone to attack by the ultraviolet rays in sunlight. Lexan is a translucent fibreglass sheet sometimes used to protect windows suffering from considerable vandalism. Related Words  Gutter Fillet A band of mortar, usually applied to the junction between a roof-covering and a skew. Also known as a 'parged fillet'. Related Words  Mortar; Parging; Skew, skewput Finial A vertical feature used as a decorative finish to a spire or steeple, at the apex of a gable, or the end of the ridge of a piended roof. Finials may be made of stone, terra-cotta, wrought or cast-iron, and vary enormously in size and complexity. Related Words  Cast iron work; Gable, gabled; Ridge, ridging; Spire, spirelet; Steeple; Terra cotta; Wrought iron Fireclay A type of clay found in association with coal and shale which when fired is particularly resistant to heat. Fireclay was formerly used to make facing bricks, ornamental features,  ridging and below-ground drainage pipes and gullies. Fireclay bricks are yellowish, or whiteish. Salt-glazed fireclay pipes and other products are shiny and brown. Related Words  Brick Flashing A layer of sheet lead or zinc, or of roofing-felt, covering the joints or edges of a section of roof covering and a wall. Related Words  Felt (roofing); Lead; Zinc Fleche A small spire on a roof-ridge, usually with a wooden or metal frame. If of wood, covered with lead. Sometimes used to cover a ventilator. Related Words  Spire, spirelet; Ventilator, ventilating brick, grille Fluting The cutting of grooves, of semi-circular cross-section, in masonry, especially when this is applied to the shafts of columns in classical architecture. Related Words  Classical; Column; Masonry Foil One of the lobes in a Gothic window or blind opening, as in trefoil (three lobes), quatrefoil (four lobes), or cinquefoil (five lobes). Related Words  Blind (of arcades etc) ; Gothic (revival) French drain A trench filled with broken stone, cut round the walls of a building to prevent ground water affecting the walls. Also used of a perforated pipe in a similar setting, or behind a retaining wall.   Frieze In a classical building, a band of masonry above a portico, or a window or door opening, situated above the lintol(s).   Related Words  Classical; Lintol, lintel; Masonry; Portico Fungicide A chemical preparation made to kill fungus infections, such as dry and wet rot.