GLOSSARY-F

Fasteners

Devices for jointing two parts together, such as screws nails and bolts.

Fenestration

An architectural term referring to the arrangement of windows and doors in a wall. From the Latin word, "fenestra," meaning window.

Fiberglass

A composite material made by embedding glass fibers in a polymer matrix. May be used as a diffusing material in sheet form, or as a standard sash and frame element.

Finger-jointing

A means of joining individual pieces of wood together to form longer lengths. The ends of the pieces are machined to form a set of interlocking fingers, which are then coated with adhesive and meshed together under pressure.

Fire door

Fire doors are designed to meet independent testing facilities' standards (Underwriter's Laboratory [UL] and Warnock Hersey [WH]) for fire ratings of 20, 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes. The specific rating is achieved through the application of special door cores and framing materials.

Fixed vent (Fixed lite / Fixed sash)

A non-operable window panel, that is secured in a closed position.

Fixed window

Non-venting or non-operable window.

Flange frame

A window frame extrusion, which adds ½" to all four sides of the daylight opening on an aluminum window.

Flashing

A metal or plastic strip attached to the outside of the head or side jambs to provide a weather barrier, preventing leakage between the frame and the wall.

Floor plan

Accurate, to scale, top view of the complete area using symbols to indicate size, shape and type of walls, doors, windows, and cabinetry.

Flush bolt

Used on a French door. It goes on top and/or bottom of the panel and secures the inactive door to the header and threshold. Also known as a Slide Bolt or Throw Bolt.

Flush door

A flat-faced door that may have a variety of door facings and may be hollow-core or solid-core.

Fogging

A deposit of contamination left on the inside surface of a sealed insulating glass unit due to extremes of temperatures or failed seals.

Folding door

One of two or more sliding doors hinged to move laterally in an opening. Also known as an accordion door.

Forced convection

A heat transfer process, aided by mechanical circulation of a liquid (such as water) or a gas (such as air). This applies to natural wind flow over a windowor a door.

Frame

The enclosure in which a window sash or door panel is mounted. Consist of header, sill and 2 jambs.

French hinged door

Hinged door(s) which have wider panel members around the glass.

French sliding door

A sliding door which has wider panel members around the glass, giving the appearance of a French hinged door.

French window

Two casement sash hinged on the sides to open in the middle; the sash extends to the floor and serves as a door to a porch or terrace.