Kansas Loves Basements!  The Different Types of Basements in the Wichita, KS Home Market!

We love our Basements here!  Why?  Well, between storms/tornado threats, the fact of the matter is that it's a cheaper way to get more square footage than to build all of that on one level.  We often finish our basements out here with extra bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, game rooms and more!   But did you know that there's more than just 1 kind of basement?

When looking at homes for sale in Wichita, KS, it's handy to know what they are referring to as far as the basement goes. 
Here are the most common ones you'll see around our area:

Cellar Basements - These you'll see in the really older homes, they're not really finishable, but are handy for storms and some storage (For things you don't mind getting damp).  They're usually more moist because they're not fully closed off, there may be exposed/open dirt areas.  Sometimes the furnace and/or water heater are down there. 

Standard Basements - These are what most folks think of in regards to basements.  They're fully underground with just little windows at the top of the wall, not wide enough to crawl through and too high to access really.  More for ventilation and light purposes.   The older versions are often concrete blocks and can be damper and have more moisture.  The newer ones are concrete walls and a little more tight.  Both versions can be finished or unfinished, though you may wish to consider extra waterproofing on the block foundations.  They provide good storm shelter and lots more usable space, though it can sometimes seem dark and dungeony depending on finishwork.
 

Daylight Basements - These are one of the most common newer basements.  These are built of concrete walls poured in place, with egress window bumpouts in various areas - this is an area built out from the basement at the time it's poured.  A window is set in this area, and through this window, you can "egress" from the basement up the daylight window pit and out into the yard.  These windows meet the code requirement for fire egress, allowing rooms with these windows to be used as bedroom areas.  They have drainage measures to prevent backups and often covers to prevent water intrusion into the well, though these should be light enough to lift in case the window is used for egress!  They are often called Daylight windows because you have daylight that shines down into the pit, and through the window, making the basement brighter than your standard basement.   When you look out the window, you see the concrete of the window well, which people often decorate up quite nicely - but be careful not to block your egress with the decorations!
 

View-Out Basements - Gaining in popularity, this basement is created by actually raising the house up so that a portion of the basement "wall" area is above grade.  Instead of concrete all the way up, it's concreted up to grade, and then framed above that to the ceiling.  This allows for windows set in the wall to be level with the ground outside, giving you an actual "View Out" into the yard area.  Depending on the height, these also qualify as egress, allowing for official bedrooms in the basement.   This style of basement has commanded a higher price in the resale world due to it's current popularity and of course builders charge more.  The basement feels more like the above ground living area, with real functioning windows, views, and natural light.  On the down side, some folks do feel the ground-level windows present a security risk.
 

Walk-Out Basements - The most expensive version, this one comes in 3 varieties itself!  The general premise is that in the basement will be a doorway through which you can "walk out" from the basement level and into the yard (without being in an underground tunnel!).   The three types are discussed below:

1. Pit Style - The Walk-Out Pit basement is built as either a standard, daylight, or View-out, but with one area that is cut out to floor level.  This area is then framed up in the normal way just as if it was above grade.  The area that this would open onto is dug out to provide a "pit" that is then floored, and retaining walls are installed to provide a walled patio area.  Generally a drain is installed as well to protect against water infiltration into the basement.  They also typically have stairways leading up into the yard area.    If the home is a View-Out style, the walled patio is about half height, with a few steps.  If it's a standard or daylight basement with a walk-out pit, you'll find a full height wall and stairs up.  The nice thing about the pits is that it provides another living area (the private patio) in addition to whatever may be on the grade level, they also allow a lot more light into the basement area without the price of a full walk-out style.  You do have to watch the drains and be careful in heavy rains and snows - if the drain is clogged, you can end up with water backing up into the house thru the basement sliders/door.  This is the most economical walk-out style.
2. Mid-Level Walk-Out - Another more affordable option is this style, which features a stairwell going down into the basement, with a landing mid-way down that has a door into the back yard.  This landing/door is in-between levels, hence the mid-level term.  In this version, from the basement you'd go up half a flight to get ouside, or from the main floor, you'd go down that half flight to get outside.  Most have a patio at the walk-out area, and many also have a deck on the main-level portion, giving you two outside entertainment levels.   These are typically View-Out level homes, so the rest of the windows would be open to the yard.  The door itself is not below grade, presenting less risk of water intrusion.  The drawback is that it limits your stairway position, as it will really have to be on a back wall in order to have the door. 
3. Full Walk-Out - This is the most expensive style as it requires raising the house up along with more extensive grading of the house.  From the rear, the home will look like a full 2 story home above ground and from the front you'll see a Ranch with stairs to the front door.   In this style, the basement is poured on the sides that will be backfilled with dirt.  A retaining wall is usually built on either side of the walk-out area to prevent backfill/dirt/water up against the walk-out portion of the home.  That portion is framed out just like the main level - wood frame and siding/brick.  In this basement, you'll find a door/sliding doors that open straight on grade with the back yard.  The wall with this door can hold full length windows and doors.  The rest of the basement will generally be view-out style, though the sides may be daylight/standard.   This style of basement leaves the basement finish feeling just like the main-level, with normal windows and doors, and lots of light.  It also is convenient for accessing the yard without having to go upstairs, or from re-entering the home from the yard.  The downfall is the potential for water intrusion if the home is not correctly graded and protected, the expense of building, and the significant grade change of the lot from front to back. 
   

You'll also find references to Lower Level as a Basement type - this simply means that the home is a split level.  There should be further definition as to whether that level is daylight/view-out/walk-out or standard, as all of those styles are also found in the split-level home.

If you've been looking for a home with a basement in the Wichita, KS metro area, give us a shout and tell us what style you like and let us help you hunt it down!