Tag Archives: Moisture control

Insulation’s crucial role in creating habitable basements

Aside from the structural challenges, the thermal challenges for basements include the following functions: (1) facilitating moisture drainage at the face of the exterior insulation down to the foundation drainage system, (2) keeping temperature extremes outside the basement wall, especially cold temperatures, and (3) preventing condensation of the basement air onto the interior of walls in the basement.

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Mould, moisture, and the building envelope

Mould growth in buildings can occur when mould spores, which are always present in buildings, are exposed to wet or humid conditions for a sufficient length of time and on an appropriate surface to support growth. Water sources can include plumbing leaks, spills, foundation seepage, roof or wall leaks, condensation on cool surfaces such as inside ductwork and on windowsills, etc. In the presence of wet or highly humid conditions, mould spores can germinate within 48 to 72 hours (about 3 days).

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Measuring wood’s moisture content

Wood is an exceptionally versatile and attractive building material that has been used in construction for thousands of years. Wood’s advantages in construction are many. It is extremely strong in relation to its weight, is widely available, and is economically competitive with other types of building materials. Additionally, wood is durable, reusable, and carries the lowest carbon footprint of any comparable building material.

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Five common mistakes made in the façade industry

Looking at the façade industry today and for the future, there is a progression toward lightweight/low-mass solutions. This is in response to the demand for lowering the amount of embodied energy in the construction industry in an effort to address environmental impact of buildings. Lowering the weight suspended from the building superstructure will also save costs.

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