Basements have become a super desirable feature of homes across Australia. They’ve gone from being that place where an old TV and couch is covered in dust to a vibrant second living space, home gym, theatre or music room. There’s no wonder why you’d want to add a space like this to your home… even if it grabs the attention of a mother-in-law who’s desperate to spend a little more time with the grandkids. Of course, this motion will be denied. We can cross that bridge later because, right now, we’re going to explain walk-in basement foundations and how they differ from other types of basements.
What is it?
A walk-in (or walkout, as they’re also called) basement is a basement that has walls with a door and windows on the ground level. This means you can literally ‘walk in and out’ of the basement without climbing stairs. They’re often a feature of houses that are built on a natural slope, where the house sits completely above grade on one end, and mostly below on the other.
Why build a walk-in basement foundation?
Walk-in basement foundations have numerous benefits over traditional dug-out basements. These include cost-effectiveness, ease of access and increased natural light. Unfortunately, they both attract the attention of family members wanting to freeload in your place.
- Cost-effective alternative to drive-in basements
A walk-in basement foundation doesn’t require the extensive work that’s required for a traditional drive-in basement. A dug-out basement needs extensive excavation and requires a stairwell to be constructed. Both of these tasks can end up being costly. - Making the most of the natural slope
If your home or block of land is naturally sloped, then choosing a walk-in basement foundation maximises its potential. If you’re building on a slope, then the space underneath the home is going to be unused anyway, so you might as well put it to good use and create more living space. - More natural light than a dug-out basement
Ahhh, Vitamin D. We all need it and love it! Walk-in basements have more natural light than dug-out basements, as they often feature windows and doors. - Added home value
Like any good home renovation, building a walk-in basement foundation will increase the value of your home. This extra space is a massive drawcard to potential buyers. A walk-in basement is a versatile space and can be used for so many different purposes – just be prepared to swat away the family freeloaders or young adults who have no interest in moving out of the house.
Walk-in basements are the bomb. Whether you’re currently building a home or you’re wanting to add a walk-in basement to an existing house, the team at Techniblock can help you massively. They’re Victoria’s leading team in foundation and basement construction, having helped dozens of Melbournians build walk-in and dug-out basements in their homes. Chat with the team at Techniblock for an inspection today.