(pronounced FER aut)

This peculiar little term refers to the wall that is built out from an existing wall. Why would one do this, you ask” Well, it’s particularly helpful when you need to 1) hide some ugly drainage pipe, air duct, or electrical conduit; 2) create some dead air space between a building’s exterior and interior to help prevent destructive moisture issues; 3) insure that sound in the space will be dampened; or 4) create some architectural interest and/or symmetry in a space that lacks any.