Real Estate Glossary
Our glossary is the largest dictionary of real estate and construction terms on the Internet with almost 10,000 definitions.
- Float
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- Amount of funds represented by checks that have been issued but not yet collected.
- Time between the deposit of checks in a bank and payment. Writing checks against money not presently in an account is called "playing the float".
- To issue new securities through an underwriter.
- The difference between a variable interest rate and the index to which it is pegged.
- To incur a debt.
- Flat plate, which is used to smooth the surface of concrete or plaster before it is troweled.
- Hollow shaped mechanism, which rises and falls with a fluid, activating some mechanism, possibly a shut-off valve.
- Sponge rubber-faced trowel used to apply grout to tile by forcing it into the joints without scratching the surface.
- Float Ball
- The part of a flush tank on a toilet, which helps to regulate water flow.
- Float Floor Drain
- Drain used to divert water from a basement to a collection point where it is removed by a sump pump.
- Float Glass
- Often used with large windows, this plate glass from on top of thick, smooth, molten tin, because of its strength.
- Float, Power
- Compactor for wet concrete that is powered by a motor.
- Float Time
- The time created in a schedule when work is completed ahead of the scheduled time.
- Float Valve
- Controlling the opening and closing of a valve by using a float on a lever. When the float that is rising with the water in the tank reaches a certain level, the valve shuts off the incoming water. This mechanism is used in the tank of a toilet.
- Floating
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- Process of spreading plaster, stucco or concrete using a float, which is a flat plate-like tools, which strengthens the surface.
- The second application of plaster in a three-coat system.
- Floating Angle
- Installation of sheet rock, omitting some corner fasteners so that the gypsum wallboard has limited movement and cracking is reduced.
- Floating Edge
- Installation of sheet rock with the long edge of the wallboard unsupported by a framing member. This keeps the joints from cracking during settlement.
- Floating Floor
- Floor designed to provide sound insulation qualities. It is separated from the building's structure by the use of special resilient materials, often fabricated from fiberglass or flexible mounting devices, including springs. Floating floor construction is used when there is a need to separate the rest of the building from noise, vibration or a combination of these elements often produced by machinery.
- Floating Interest Rate
- An interest rate that is not fixed over the term of a loan, bond or other fixed-income security but is allowed to vary according to the change in a specified index, such as the prime interest rate or the Treasury bill rate.
- Floating Joint
- Wallboard panel joint that is paced between framing elements.
- Floating Slab
- Concrete floor that is unconnected to the foundation wall.
- Floating Wall
- Walls built to withstand movement in the basement floor.
- Floatstone
- Stone, also known as a rubbing stone, which smoothes gauged brickwork.
- Flood Certification
- The determination as to whether or not a property is located in a flood zone. If it is, the lender will require federally provided flood insurance.
- Flood Insurance
- Coverage that is required for property in a designated flood plain or zone.
- Flood Lamp
- Normally used to spread light over a large area rather than directing it into a narrow area, it's also called a floodlight. Flood Level Rim Edge or rim of a plumbing fixture, over which excess water will flow.
- Flood Plain or Zone
- Level land area subject to periodic flooding from a contiguous body of water. During the flood stage, the property may be underwater.
- Floodlight
- Normally used to spread light over a large area rather than directing it into a narrow area, it's also called a flood lamp.
- Floodlight Mount
- Waterproof box, along with a covered electrical outlet, which is used for installation of an exterior floodlight.
- Floodgate
- Regulating device for the water that flows through a waterway or past an obstruction.
- Floor
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- The inside bottom surface of a room or hall, on which people walk.
- A lower limit set on anything.
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
- The ratio between a structure's total floor area and the total land area of the land upon which it is constructed. The FAR is calculated by dividing the total building floor area by the total building lot square area: floor area ratio = building floor area/building lot area. A maximum allowable floor area ratio is typically specified by the local building code or zoning.
- Floor Drain
- Drainage fitting which sits flush in a floor and is normally made of pipe that does not contain pressure other than that exerted by the force of gravity of the water it is draining.
- Floor Edger
- Smaller, disk sander, which is used in tight places.
- Floor Framing
- Structural part of the floor that is supported by the foundation or structural parts that support the vertical weight of the structure.
- Floor Jack
- Screw jack that is used for temporary support when floor framing is being aligned or repaired.
- Floor Joists
- Beams that provide structural floor support. The flooring is directly attached to the floor joists.
- Floor Loan
- The minimum amount of money a lender is willing to provide on a commercial loan for a building that is to be tenant occupied. This loan is progressively funded as the building is constructed and occupied.
- Floor Plan
- The arrangement of rooms in a structure. A two-dimensional scale drawing of the arrangements, size and orientation of doors, rooms, walls, and windows of a single floor of a building structure.
- Floor Sander
- Power sander which finishes and smoothes hardwood floors.
- Floor Sink
- Receptacle that is connected to a drain at floor level to receive floor drainage.
- Floor Varnish
- Wear-resistant varnish, which is used on hardwood floors.
- Floorboard
- Hardwoods, such as oak, maple, hardened pine, etc. which are used in a finished wood floor.
- Flooring
- Material that is used to finish off a floor.
- Flooring, Parquet
- Patterned wood flooring, inlaid in geometric forms of contrasting woods.
- Flooring, Plank
- Flooring boards in random widths.
- Flooring Saw
- Hand saw with teeth about 1/3 of the length of the blade along the top, with the bottom of the blade being fully toothed and curving down and away from the front tip, allowing the saw to cut into solid surfaces.
- Flooring, Strip
- Narrow stripped wood flooring.
- Flooring, Vinyl
- Floor covering usually consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
- Florida Rooms
- Glass enclosed porches at the rear or side of a home, usually in warm weather areas.
- Flow
- To move as a liquid.
- Flow Brazing
- Joint bonding accomplished by pouring molten brazing material over the area for enough time to reach the brazing temperature and create the bonding.
- Flow Chart
- A graphic outline showing the steps needed to complete any job.
- Flow Control Valve
- Check valve that prevents a reverse flow of water when a hot water heating system is turned off.
- Flow Meter
- Gauge that measures the fluid flow in terms of quantity per unit time, for example gallons per minute.
- Flow Welding
- Welding process accomplished by pouring molten filler metal over a joint for enough time to reach the welding temperature, the joint to be filled and bonding created.
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