What is a walkout basement?
A walkout basement is a specialized basement that has access to the backyard. It’s often used to help mitigate the steep incline of a hill that property is placed on. If it has windows that give you a view of the yard, it can also be called a daylight basement.
Does a walkout basement add to property tax?
Not only do you have to shell out a ton of money for the renovation, but adding a walkout basement also adds to your property tax. The downside to the increased value of your home comes at a price. Before the renovation, you need to apply for a permit from your municipality.
Where is the primary suite in a walkout basement house?
The primary suite is located on the main level for convenience. A loft space with its own bathroom is located on the second floor. The lower level would make a comfortable retreat for a young adult or visitors, compete with cooking space. Explore the walkout basement house plans collection here.
What is a walkout foundation?
A walkout basement, or daylight basement, is a basement that incorporates a wall with doors and windows on the ground level. Typically, a building site that has a slope to the rear of the property has a walkout basement that accesses the back yard.
Why are walkout basements more expensive?
And as discussed above, a walkout will increase the value of your home. Having said that, building any type of finished basement will increase value....ProsConsMore natural lightingIncreased construction costsIncreased living spacePotential increase in property taxesAdditional accessSecurity concerns1 more row
Is a walkout basement considered a story?
Typically a basement is not considered a story. Although, if more than half of the basement is above ground or curb level, appraisers in some areas may count this as a story. Additionally, in a home built into a hill with a walkout basement, the basement may be considered a story.
Do walkout basements add value?
When completely finished, a walk-out basement provides one of the most affordable ways to gain square footage in your home. Because finished walk-out basements can be considered part of your home's livable square footage, it can add to your home's value.
Is a walkout basement safe in a tornado?
If you don't have a basement, the safest place to be is in a small, interior room, a closet bathroom or an interior hallway on the lowest floor of your house. It's also important to realize that not all basements are safe, especially walkout basements with sliding glass doors.
Is walkout basement better?
The primary benefit of a walkout basement is the improved amount of light within the basement. A walkout allows for a door, but also added windows. The addition of added light allows for at least some of the basement to resemble the floors above in terms of light.
Is a walkout basement below grade?
Walkouts and exposed basements should be included as FINISHED BELOW GRADE SQUARE FOOTAGE. below grade rooms as bedrooms.
What is the difference between a daylight basement and a walkout basement?
Walk-out basements are similar to daylight basements, but they have an external door that leads to the outside. If the basement is partially underground, then a small staircase leads the door up to the exterior ground level.
What is a Walkout Basement?
A walkout basement allows someone to literally “walk out” of a basement. That means that some part of one or more basement walls is completely above grade. A walkout basement may be part of the original plan for the house or added after the fact.
Advantages of a Walkout Basement
There are numerous advantages to having a walkout basement, with the main benefit being the increase in livable space. While a basement can also have liveable space, many people prefer a walkout because it makes at least part of a basement feel like the rest of the house due to increased light. Other benefits include:
Disadvantages of Walkout Basement
While the advantages typically outweigh the cons of a walkout basement, there are disadvantages to having a walkout basement in certain instances. Let’s take a look.
Walkout Basement vs Regular Basement
A walkout basement features at least one basement wall that is above grade. A walkout basement wall will typically be framed instead of a concrete block or poured concrete. This allows for better aesthetics, as you can side your walkout basement wall the same as you would the rest of the house. It also makes it easier to add doors and windows.
What Is a Daylight Basement?
A daylight basement has more light and is typically partially above grade than a standard basement. Daylight basements do not have a walkout door but rather larger windows that make it seem like more “daylight” in the basement.
Daylight Basement vs Walkout Basement
A walkout basement and daylight basement are not the same. A walkout basement will have a door leading to the outside on the same grade as the footing. A daylight basement may be partially below grade, but no one wall is completely above grade. Daylight basements have full-sized windows to allow more light in.
What Is a Walk-up Basement?
A walk-up basement is a basement with all walls below grade and an exterior entrance via a set of stairs leading up to ground level from the door in the basement.
What Is A Walkout Basement?
To be considered a walkout basement, at least one wall should be entirely above grade. You should literally be able to walk out of the basement to ground level. It has a door and possibly windows in the foundation wall, allowing access to the outside.
Walkout Basement Pros
The pros of a walkout basement include increased natural light and living space. It makes an ideal in-law suite or apartment because of its separate entrance to the house. Walkouts also add value to your home.
Walkout Basement Cons
Walkout basements are subject to some disadvantages such as leaking or flooding. They also come with a price tag, especially if they’re added as an addition.
How Much Value Does A Walkout Basement Add To My Home?
The value of a walkout basement square footage is 50-70 percent of the value of the main level square footage. The exact percentage, as well as the amount of finished basement, will be determined by your local real estate market.
How Much Does A Walkout Basement Cost?
In terms of new construction, a walkout basement would only be marginally more expensive than a traditional basement, particularly if the home is already built on a slope. There would be additional charges for doors or windows added to the foundation walls and for a retaining wall if needed.
Related Questions
The biggest hurdle to jump with walkout basements is the drainage. You want to make sure the ground is properly graded in order to keep water from reaching the foot of the walkout.
Summing It Up
Although they can be costly if added after the fact, walkout basements offer a lot of benefits. They provide more natural light in a space that’s usually uninviting. An ideal apartment or in-law suite, a walkout gives you extra living space with an extra entrance that’s separate from the rest of the house.
What is a walkout basement?
This is a type of basement that will have a wall that features a door and windows that are located on the ground level. In order for a walkout basement to be possible, the house is going to need to be placed on a slope of some kind. The walkout basement will be entered from the ground level and then slope downward as you go to a below ground level.
Why do people have walkout basements?
One of the biggest reasons that people like the idea of having a walkout basement is that it adds natural light to the basement level of your home. This is going to make things a lot cheerier than they would otherwise be. Being able to enjoy some sunshine in this part of the house goes a long way toward making it feel like a normal part of the house. It helps your basement to feel less like a basement, so to speak.
Can you build a walkout basement on hillside?
Sloped land and hillside areas create perfect opportunities to create walkout basements, but the soil properties also need to be kept in mind. Soil variations can cause problems for your home, and you’ll need to be careful when designing a walkout basement because of this.
Is a walk out basement considered a living space?
This walkout basement is actually going to be considered a living space. It’s more than just a finished basement due to the way that they define living spaces, and this allows you to list the home with extra rooms. The potential is there for your home to increase in value substantially if you have a walkout basement.
Can you convert a basement to a walkout?
If you have a basement already, then there are some circumstances where you can convert it into a walkout basement. There are going to be certain challenges that make this really difficult to pull off. Adding a walkout area to an existing basement is much easier to pull off.
Can a walkout basement increase the value of a home?
The potential is there for your home to increase in value substantially if you have a walkout basement. It isn’t all positive, though. The fact that you have more living space being added to the total square footage of your home can cost you money, too. This means that you might be taxed at an increased rate.
Is it possible to have a walk out basement?
Whether or not a walkout basement is even a possibility is likely up in the air. You’d have to talk to experts and get things examined to see what your options are. It’s likely best to only consider a walkout basement when you’re building a new home where it is a possibility.
The Benefits of a Walkout Basement
The benefits of a walkout basement are numerous. Not all are going to be relevant to everyone, but the true strength of the walkout basement is its flexibility – basically, it can become whatever you want it to be.
The Cons
While the benefits of a walkout basement are undeniably attractive, it’s worth considering the flipside. Some of the cons of a walkout basement to consider include:
Final Thoughts
A walkout basement isn’t for everyone. For a start, not all homes are going to be suitable for one. If you’re designing a new home from scratch, it will be easier to incorporate a walkout basement into the plans. Adding one to your current property may be a tougher proposition, even if you have an existing basement to utilize.
What is a Walkout Basement?
A walkout basement is one in which at least one of the walls is completely above ground level. This enables homeowners to build the entrance into the foundation wall, giving them direct access to the basement. This is a basement with an exterior door. This means that it can be accessed without having to enter the house.
Advantages of the Walkout Basement
Having a walkout in the basement has several advantages, the main advantage being the increase in living space. While there can also be living space in the basement, many people prefer to walk because the increased light makes the basement look like the rest of the house. Other benefits include:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a walkout basement is more desirable as it adds to the living space of your home.
Conclusion
The walkout in the basement is not for everyone. For starters, not all houses will suit one. It will be easier to include a walkout basement into the designs if you build a new home from the ground up. Adding one to an existing property can be more difficult, even if you have an existing basement to use.
What is a Walkout Basement
A walkout basement, as the name suggests, is different from a regular or traditional basement. It consists of a wall with a door and windows at the ground level. The reason this type of basement is not common in most homes is that the house needs to be placed on a slope of some kind to have a walkout basement
Is it Practical to Have a Walkout Basement?
If you’re planning to have a basement of this sort in your house, there are certain factors to consider. For example, does the site even have enough slope for it? Or what degree of slope does it need? These questions require as much attention as building a home in the first place.
Can You Count the Basement as Another Floor?
Since a room needs to be above ground level to be considered a story, walkout basements don’t qualify. Hence, a real estate agent will not see it as a 2 or 3 story house just because of a basement. However, you can count it in the overall square footage of the house.
Our Final Thoughts
Now that you know “what is a walkout basement,” it’s time to have the final verdict on it. What we know so far is that it’s different from a traditional basement and requires a certain amount of slope for construction.
