Glossary - F
Facade
The external surface of a building; the external elevation.
Facing brick
A type of brick of better quality and appearance then common brick.
Fading
The change or loss of colour through exposure to the ultra violet content of sunlight etc.
Faience
Glazed pottery and hence glazed terracotta bricks used for facing work on buildings.
Failure
Breakdown of a paint film such as cracking, flaking, blistering etc.
False body
Also known as 'Thixotropy'. Usually refers to gel type paints which in the tin appear to be very thick or even solid. When applied by brush or roller the gel structure breaks down and the paint becomes liquid thus allowing ease of application.
False ceiling
A lower dummy ceiling suspended below the main structure to improve appearance or proportions or to hide pipes structural steel etc.
Fanlight
Properly a window shaped like an open fan over a door or opening. From this it is often used to describe any shaped window in such a position.
Fascia
A broad flat surface or member over a shop from or below a cornice; a board carrying a gutter around the eaves of a building.
Fat edge
A heavy accumulation of paint at the edge of a painted surface.
Fattening
An increase in the viscosity of a paint on storage. Also called 'feeding'.
Feather edged
Boards tapered to one thin edge to allow for neat over-lapping when used for cladding a structure.
Feathering
1. Tapering off the edges of a coat of paint when touching in by laying off with a comparatively dry brush.
2. Where some paint has flaked off 'feathering' is the tapering of the edges of the remaining paint by rubbing down to provide a smooth surface for overpainting.
Ferro-concrete
See 'reinforced concrete'.
Fiberous plaster
Plaster slabs mouldings or ornament made up from wood laths course canvas and plaster and case in the desired form before fixing. Also called 'stick and rag work'.
Fibre board
Building board made from fibrous material such as wood pulp or other vegetable fibre. The term is normally used for the hard-pressed board the soft board being termed 'insulation board'.
Fibre brushes
Brushes with a vegetable fibre filling and which are suitable for applying limewash because the fibres do not soften in contact with lime unlike bristles. Fibre is often used together with pure bristle and are often very effective for applying textured masonry paints.
Filler
A composition for levelling off the finer defects of a surface often after the coarser defects such as cracks have been made good with a hard stopper. A filler is applied with a filling knife or a broad knife.
Film formation
The paint's ability to form a continuous dry film. In a latex paint this process is the result. of the water's evaporating and the coming together of the binder particles. A continuous dry film repels water.
Finish coat
The last coat applied in a multiple coat paint system e.g. primer undercoat with a gloss finishing coat.
Fitch
A small brush with a round oval or flat ferrule usually with a filling of white bristles. They are available in assorted sizes and among their uses are 'picking out' details of plaster ornament ruling painted lines and spot priming fine cracks and small areas.
Flaking
The detachment of pieces of paint from the substrate caused by a loss of adhesion and elasticity. Also known as scaling.
Flame-cleaning
The application of an intensely hot flame (usually oxy-acetylene) to a steel surface in order to remove heavy rust or scale.
Flank
The side of a building; the side surfaces of a building stone; any large internal wall area.
Flash point
The maximum temperature to which a product confined in a closed cup must be heated for the vapours emitted to ignite momentarily in the presence of a flame.
Flashing
A fault usually in non-glossy finishes, in which patches of uneven gloss occur/appear especially at the joints or laps.
Flashing off
Terms used to describe the action of a period during which the major proportion of the volatile solvent evaporates from a paint film.
Flat
Another term for 'matt' and refers to paints which dry without a gloss although some low angle sheen may be apparent.
Fletton
A common type of brick usually of pink and yellow colour having sharp edges and deep frog.
Float
A plasterers trowel made of wood or metal and used to apply the second coat of plaster in a three coat system. Hence to apply this coat is called 'to float' see 'plastering'.
Floating
A defect apparent in a dried paint coat in which streaks or patches of a different shade or colour can be seen especially along edges or mouldings.
Flotation
During drying one or more of the pigments in a paint separates or floats apart from the others and concentrates in streaks or patches producing a variegate effect.
Flow
The extent to which a paint is able to level out after application. Gloss paints usually have good flow resulting in a smooth finish free from brushmarks.
Fluorescent coating
Paints which 'glow' or show greatly intensified brightness and colour when subjected to certain types of lighting usually ultra violet light. The phenomenon ceases immediately the light source is cut off.
Flush-panel
Panel level with the surrounding beading or framing. Hence flush-panelled door where a single smooth unbroken surface is obtained.
Foaming
You're using the wrong type of roller. For instance, if you use a sponge roller to apply water-based paints, air is injected into the wet paint film and the air bubbles burst, forming craters on the surface which dry unevenly. As a rule of thumb, use short pile rollers for flat surfaces, medium pile rollers for medium textures and long pile rollers for textured surfaces. After rolling, some paints, particularly solvent-based gloss, may need to be 'layed-off' with a brush to eliminate foaming. To repair a foamy surface, thoroughly clean it down to remove all dirt, grease and surface contaminants. Rub down the surfaces with wet and dry abrasion and water or a suitable solvent. Finally, rinse down and allow to dry thoroughly before repainting. If this is impractical, line the walls before repainting.
Footings
The lowest part of a wall or column standing immediately upon the foundations.
Frame
Any moulding or structure surrounding a panel or opening hence door frame window frame. Also used to describe the basic structure of a building especially of timber or steel construction.
Frieze
In classical architecture the area between the cornice and architrave. Commonly the plain or decorated upper part of a wall immediately below the ceiling or cornice and above the border or picture rail.
Frog
The depression in one or both sides of a brick in order to form a key for the mortar.
Fugitive
Colouring matter which readily suffers partial or total loss of its original colour on exposure to light or weather.
Fugitive colour
Description of a paint or pigment which fades on exposure to light or weather.
Full coat
As heavy or thick a coat of paint as can be applied in a single application consistent with satisfactory appearance drying etc.
Fungicide
Substances which are capable of destroying moulds and fungi. Solutions of fungicide are used in the painting trade for sterilising mould infected surfaces prior to the application of paint. Also incorporated in various types of paint to give protection against further attack.