QandAs: Home

What is a Walk-Out Basement?

Answer:
One design element available to houses built on sloped

lots is known as a walk-out or daylight basement. A walk-out basement features a doorway which leads directly to a ground level patio or backyard.

Not all house plans can incorporate a walk-out or daylight basement, however. Much depends on the degree of slope and the preferred direction a house should face.

A walk-out basement works best when the house is built on top of a sloping lot which falls away at the back end. The ground level and higher floors can be located on the top of the slope and the walk-out garage should face a scenic backyard.

Initial construction of a walk-out can be costly, since it must be excavated and reinforced differently than a below-ground basement. The walls of a walk-out basement face the same moisture and containment problems as any other below-ground structure, even though it is directly accessible to a ground-level area.

The inclusion of a walk-out basement has both financial advantages and disadvantages for the homeowner. It is often considered part of the square footage of a home, especially if it is deemed liveable. This could mean higher property taxes in states where walk-out basements qualify as living space.

On the positive side, since a walk-out basement is considered more desirable to potential buyers than a standard below-ground basement, it can add at least $20,000 to the overall value of the house, and can be claimed as part of the total available square footage. The possibility of incorporating a walk-out or daylight basement is one advantage of building on a sloped lot or hillside.


	more Q&A sessions like this
	Are Garages included in the Square Footage of a Home? What is a Side Entry Garage? What is a Tandem Garage? How much does a Finished Basement Remodeling job cost? What is a Ranch Style house? How do you build an Outside Fire Pit? Show me contractors that specialize in outbuildings, carports, gazebos or other outside enclosures. Where can I get free estimates for adding a deck to our home? What is a Carport? What are Blueprints?