Whether or not your home’s basement is finished, you can enhance its usefulness and value by adding an egress window or walkout door. The benefits of doing so (increased natural lighting and ventilation, a private entry and exit point) far outweigh potential drawbacks. Phoenix Home Services’ basement remodeling contractors can install any features to ensure your walkout basement’s value.
As a well-respected home improvement and remodeling contractor service, Phoenix has served Burke, VA, residents for 30+ years. We design and build custom additions, including sunrooms, porticos, master bathrooms, master bedrooms, and more. Our basement finishing contractors can install a window or door egress all while completing your home office or personal gym. Call (703) 543-6929 today to schedule a consultation and receive a free project estimate!
Below, let’s discuss what differentiates walkout basements from other kinds of basements, then go over how the pros outweigh the cons.
What Is a Walkout Basement?
All basements are not made equal. For this discussion, we can distinguish four types of basements:
- Crawlspace: Bare, usually half-height spaces with dirt floors and exposed utility lines. Built to moderate living space temperatures, but not intended for use as a living space.
- Cellar: Although the term “cellar” is sometimes used interchangeably with “basement,” the former is often mostly or all underground. They can also provide food storage when designed to do so.
- Daylight or lookout basement: Daylight basements differ from cellars in that they sit only half below ground. They also have windows and are usually finished spaces.
- Walkout basement: Walkout basements have at least one wall above ground (generally with a window) and are most common in homes on a slope. Almost always finished spaces, they may serve as living quarters with a separate entrance from the house’s front door.
Benefits of a Walkout Basement
Compared to the other types listed, walkout basements offer some straightforward advantages. First, they can serve as private living quarters, which delivers immense value for any homeowner who needs a separate space. Whether you rent out or use your basement as a private home office, a walkout basement is flexible and convenient.
Also, the walkout design makes your basement feel like a part of your home’s living quarters. Cellars are usually dark, damp places, useful for storage but little else. A daylight basement can work as a living space, but walkouts are the best option for the access and comfort they offer. If you have significant basement space, finishing your walkout could boost your interior comfort dramatically.
Third, private living quarters and a multi-purpose space can boost a property’s value. While many potential buyers put a premium on storage space, the value of a finished walkout basement will outweigh that of simple storage. If you plan to put your house on the market one day, such a feature could deliver significant ROI.
Walkout Basement Drawbacks
Weighing the potential drawbacks of walkout basements against their advantages can help keep your expectations reasonable. For instance, belowground structural elements must contend with water, which can seep through cracks and lead to mold and mildew. You can counteract this drawback with careful basement waterproofing—speak with your Phoenix contractor for details.
Furthermore, you may face a small tax increase after finishing a walkout basement. Such a project adds square footage to your home’s interior, so your property will be reassessed and taxed accordingly. Yet tax codes differ between municipalities, and not all will call for increased property tax for such a project.
Walkout Basement Design and Remodeling in Burke, VA
With an egress window or door in place, your basement can function as a separate living space and a comfortable room in its own right. Contact Phoenix Homes to design and implement your walkout basement in Burke, VA. Our team of walkway and patio construction contractors can transform your home’s outdoor space while our basement remodelers handle the indoors. Call (703) 543-6929 today to schedule a consultation and receive a free project estimate!