Foamed-in-Place Insulation 
Synthetic material, which is used in places where it is difficult to use sheet installation. A two-part liquid, which forms a chemical reaction that causes rapid expansion of the foam, fills up the area, after it is mixed and applied or applied from a pressurized container. 

Foam Rubber 
Lightweight rubber that has a great amount of trapped air in the bubbles within the material. This treated rubber forms a firm, spongy foam that is used in seats, mattresses, etc. 

Foam Sheathing 
Insulating board of firm plastic foam, which is often used in the walls of a building to protect against the transfer of heat or cold through the walls. 

Foil 
1. A very thin sheet or leaf of metal. 
2. A leaf-like, rounded space or design in windows, doors, etc. of gothic architecture. 

Foil-backed Panel 
Gypsum drywall panels that increase the insulating value by being backed with a foil vapor barrier. 

Folding Door 
Door that is manufactured in multiple sections that are hinged and fold back as they are slid open. Ceiling tract mounting is preferable so that the weight of the doors can be held more firmly and without sag. 

Folding Partition 
Room divider, which is hinged, and folds back to the wall as it is slid open. Ceiling tract mounting is preferable so that the weight of the divider can be held more firmly and without sag. 

Folding Rule 
Ruler that folds into itself, by hinges at intervals, and which can be extended to measure. 

Folding Stairs 
Retractable stairway that folds up into an overhead opening, when not in use. Often used as attic stairs, they can be pulled down for use and stored out of the way at other times. 

Foliated 
Decorated surface with a leaf design. 

Foot 
A measure of length equal to 12 inches, which term is taken from the average length of a human foot. 

Foot Candle 
Unit for measuring illumination which is equal to the amount of direct light thrown on a square foot of surface with each part one foot away, by use of one candle. 

Foot-pound 
Unit of work equal to the amount of energy needed to move a one-pound weight over a one-foot distance. 

Footprint 
1. An impression or mark made by a foot or shoe. 
2. The amount of ground area used up by an object. 

Footing 
The base or bottom of a foundation pier, wall, or column that is usually wider than the upper portion of the foundation. The added width at the bottom spreads the load over a wider area. 

Footlambert 
Measurement for the amount of light reflected which is described as the uniform lighting of a perfectly diffusing surface that reflects light at the rate of one Lumen per square foot. The number of footlamberts is measured by counting the number of foot-candles that reach the surface and by multiplying this figure by the amount of light reflecting on the surface. 

Footscraper 
Metal bar, which is mounted horizontally, a bit above floor level, on the outside of a building to be used to scrape dirt from shoes. 

For Sale By Owner 
Homeowner acting as salesperson for his own property. No listing commission is paid but a sales commission may be paid to a buyer's agent. 

Forbearance 
A policy of restraint in taking legal action to remedy a default or other breach of contract, generally in the hope that the default will be cured, given additional time. Actions a lender may take to delay foreclosure or legal action against a delinquent borrower. 

Force 
Strength, energy or power needed to accomplish a certain act. 

Force Cup 
The device normally used to unclog toilets, consisting of a long handle with a rubber cup on the end. When the cup is fitted over the drain and pushed toward the drain by pressure exerted on the handle, the air in the cup is compressed and force is exerted on the obstruction in the drain and pushes it through to clear the pipe. This is also referred to as a plumber's friend or a plumber's helper. 

Force Fit 
Using force to fit together objects which are close to the same size. 

Force Majeure 
An unavoidable cause of delay or of failure to perform an obligation in time due to an unpreventable, overwhelming and irresistible force. A clause is often added to a contract to provide indemnification should an Act of God delay completion past the contractual deadline. 

Forced Air Heating System (Forced Hot Air) 
A heating system that circulates warm air, from a heat source, through the ducting by means of a blower fan. 

Forced Sale 
Sale of property where the seller is under duress and is unable to allow current market prices and conditions determine the selling price. 

Foreclosure 
Legal process in which a lender ends the borrower's interest in a property after a loan is defaulted. The lender then sells the property and covers the mortgage amount and legal costs from the proceeds of the sale, using any remaining funds to satisfy other liens or return the balance to the borrower. 

Foreclosure Sale 
The public sale of a property after the legal process, by which the lender ends the borrower's interest in a property, is completed. 

Forecourt 
Entry courtyard of a building. 

Forehand Welding 
Pointing the torch or electrode in the direction that you are welding. 

Foreman 
Supervisor, responsible for a group of workers. 

Forfeit 
To relinquish a right. 

Forfeiture 
Relinquishing of property rights by a delinquent borrower or loss of money or things of value due to failure to perform under a contract. 

Forge 
Shaping and forming done by hammering heated metal, while hot. 

Forge Welding 
Using the hot air in a forge, along with strong, steady pressure to effect a change in the shape of the surfaces to be welded together. 

Form 
The shape, outline or configuration of any structure. 

Form Hanger 
Mechanism that supports the concrete form from the existing part of a structure. 

Form Jack 
A height adjustable mechanism that supports the bottom of a form. 

Form Lining 
Any material, which may be put inside of a concrete form if the texture of the cured concrete is to be altered. 

Form of a Curve 
Sharpness of a curve. 

Form Oil 
Oil that is used on the concrete form surface to prevent the concrete from sticking to the form. 

Form Stripping 
The removal of the forms after the concrete has cured and set. 

Form Tie 
Forms are held together by ties of rod or wire to resist the pressure when the wet concrete is poured. 

Formica 
Trade name used for a plastic laminate often used for countertops. 

Forms 
Structures, usually of wood, which are used to temporarily hold wet concrete so that it holds its shape and position until it is cured and hardened. The forms are then removed. 

Forstner Bit 
Drill bit, which is made of a pair of radial scraper-type blades and a rounded guiding blade, which is the diameter of the hole being drilled. The radial scraper blades remove the wood between the center starter point and guiding blade, as the bit is turned. The blade then cuts the exact diameter of the hole being drilled. 

Found 
1. To begin to build or organize; to lay a base of something. 
2. To melt and pour into a mold. 

Foundation 
The support structure of a house. The base or portion of a structure that is in contact with the ground, usually extending below grade. A support on which something stands. 

Foundation Bolt 
A bolt, which is set into wet concrete, to be used for the attachment of the pressure treated boards (called the mud sill or sill plate) once the concrete has hardened. Once in place, these boards will be the base of the framing structure. 

Foundation Plan 
Drawing, used for construction, which shows all the dimensions and placement of the foundation. 

Foundation Vent 
Screen opening in a foundation wall to allow ventilation under a structure so that moisture and condensation are kept to a minimum amount. 

Foundation Wall 
Wall that extends from the footing to the first floor. 

Fountain 
1. A natural spring of water. 
2. An artificial spring or jet of water, often over a structure. 

Fountainhead 
Surfacing material with a solid color and the appearance of soft textured stone, which is often used on countertops. 

Four-way Switch 
Switching device that uses three switches to permit an outlet to be operated from all three switches. Also called a double-pole reversing switch, this electrical switch is used in conjunction with two three-way switches in cases where three points for controlling an electrical circuit are needed. 

Fourpenny 
Designation of a nail size; a 1-½ inch long nail. 

Foyer 
Entrance hall. A gathering place for people either before exiting or upon entrance, as in a movie theatre.