Information, Articles and Research

Finishing Basements - Issues related to health, comfort and energy efficiency  - A great concise report that highlights many of the important points to consider when preparing to finish your basement. This was produced by the Madison Gas and Electric, a utility company in Wisconsin.

Basement Insulation Systems Research Report  - This report was prepared for the US Department of Energy’s Building America Program by the Building Science Consortium. It discusses how moisture can infiltrate the basement environment, and how basement insulation and finishing systems can contribute to moisture and health problems. It also provides recommended practices for insulating and finishing basements in a mannter that will not contribute to moisture and health problems. The report is freely available to the public at www.buildingamerica.gov.

Basement Remodeling - It Doesn't Get Any Riskier  - This presentation by Pat Huelman of the University of Minnesota's Cold Climate Housing Program provides a comphrehensive approach to considering the most significant issues relating to basement finishing. He states the factors that lead him to declare Basement Finishing as the riskiest on his list of home improvement projects, and how to overcome those risks by utilizing proper basement finishing practices.

Upgrade Below Grade - This article from Professional Remodeler magazine advises contractors on the appropriate practices for evaluating and finishing basements.

Critical Seal-Spray Foam at Rim Joist  - This article discussed the signifcant energy losses at the basement rim joist, how typical insulation with fiberglass is problematic, and how using spray foam provides a solution.

Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment  - A detailed position statement with recommendations from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine on the impact of mold. They state that about 10% of the population has allergic antibodies to fungal antigens. The article discusses toxic mold and its contribution to "sick building syndrome", as well as providing recommendations to avoiding these situations in our homes and workplaces. Much of their recommendations can be directly applied to the basement environment where mold has many of the optimal conditions for growth.

Dust Mites: tips for reducing dust mite allergens  - Dust mites are the leading cause of indoor allergens after mold and mildew. Children are especially susceptible. This article by the American Lung Association discusses how to control dust mites in your home. Their number one recommendation is to maintain your home's relative humidity below 50%.  This is especially important in the basement, which is often where the highest levels of humidity and condensation can occur. For the hot muggy summers, a dehumidification strategy is very important!

Renovating Your Basement Research Report - The researchers at Building Science Corporation produced this report for the U.S. Department of Energy. It provides detailed recommendations on the proper way to renovate a basement for moisture control and to improve energy efficiency.

Before You Start  - A good reference produced by the Canadian government to assist homeowners evaluate their basement for problem conditions that should be addressed before basement renovations are started.

After the Flood--There's Hope  - This article published in Home Energy Magazine in Sept., 2004, examines how specific building materials hold up to flood conditions. The research was conducted by Oak Ridge National Labratory and Tuskegee University. Since basements are prone to flooding, this is provides a good list of what products to stay away from in your basement finishing project.

Harmful Molds in Finished Basements - In the winter of 1995 and spring of 1996, the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada's National Housing Agency), conducted a survey of 405 houses in the Ottawa region of Ontario, Canada. The objective of the survey was "to determine whether typical 'finished' basements are contributing to poor indoor air quality as a result of mold growth in the finishing materials". About half of the 405 houses "had signs of moisture in the basement". The study then selected 22 for further investigation. Molds were found in 18 of the 22 houses, or 82%. Mold samples were taken from 16 of the 18 houses. In 100% of those houses, "molds with properties that are harmful to humans were found."

Basement Walls that Dry  - Researchers at the University of Alberta tested several different basement wall assemblies to determine how they reacted to leaks and floods. ABF's DuraDry wall system is the equivelent of their Proprietary Wall I listing, which performed well in their testing.

Understanding Basements  - A detaied research report from Building Science Digest authored by Dr. James Lstiburek. It provides excellent illustrations on why the basement is a different enviroment that the above grade areas of a house and what measures should be employed to provide the best results when insulating or finishing this area.