Happy Birthday, USA!
4th of July is right on our doorstep.
I’m daydreaming about a weekend off with the family, the grill sizzling and cold, fresh cut watermelon. After everything we missed out on last year, it’s a blessing to gather again for some sparklers and celebration.
So much has changed since last year- including the way we use our home.
After a summer of outside gatherings in 2020, I think Schuylkill County is starting to love the backyard a little more. Vern’s schedule is booked to the brim with outdoor installation of decks, three-season additions, and exterior home renovations.
Everyone is excited about their home this year- especially when it comes to their outdoor space.
This week, I wanted to take a look at another unusual trend we’ve been seeing in 2021: Homeowners adding exterior access points to their homes. It sounds crazy, but as we build and expand decks, it’s more and more common for clients to ask about adding, expanding, or moving exterior doors to redirect traffic flow during large gatherings or make better use of interior space.
But there’s a lot to consider before adding a new door to your home.
…Where’s the best location for your doorway?
…Do you want it accessible to guests, or are you looking for a more private retreat to the backyard?
If it’s something you’ve been adding to your Pinterest board, or thinking about in combination with your deck remodel- let me help.
As whole-home construction and remodel professionals, we tackle more than just deck additions. We like to look at how any change affects the scope of your house as a whole. With that in mind- here are three popular (and smart) places to add a new exterior access point to your home:
Get the Most Out of Your Patio
One of the best exterior access points is out the kitchen- and onto a patio.
Adding access to the backyard, even without a patio or deck, means more
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- Grilling
- Outdoor dining
- And less dirt tracked through your home for larger gatherings.
At the Martin home? Even daily snack time is easier to clean up when I can bring the littles food on our screened porch. But convenience is key to getting the most of any outdoor improvement.
Most homeowners hesitate to add a patio doorway. They don’t want to sacrifice kitchen space. But the truth is the right door will actually make your kitchen feel bigger and increase its functionality.
The key to choosing your new door is knowing which style will flow best with your kitchen.
To be clear, you don’t need to install giant french doors to make use of this idea. These homeowners saved space without losing counter space by installing a swinging door in the back of their kitchen:
A small door like this adds value to your outdoor space, and gives you the chance to enjoy it more, without sacrificing counter spaces.
Sliding doors are also a good solution if you can’t afford the footprint of a standard door.
Check out these wood sliding doors- a beautiful design choice for this modern styled kitchen:
A word of caution: But before you have a contractor knock out that doorway, make sure the wall isn’t load bearing. Want to know what open floor plans aren’t as great as they seem? Read up here.
From Stuffy Bedroom to Private Outdoor Getaway
Imagine this:
You wake up to a cool summer morning and the kids are still asleep. You grab the book you’ve been working on and slip outside to sit under the sun.
My goodness! It sounds like I walked into a dream!
No sneaking around the house, trying not to wake them up. An easy way to enjoy the morning sun…
How do you make a dream like this come true?
A bedroom patio access.
Although it’s not the most traditional place to add a door, this trend is growing in popularity.
Adding an access point from the bedroom can completely change a space by:
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- Letting in natural light
- Making the room feel bigger
- Private backyard getaway, accessible only by you
Plus, it adds so much value to master/main bedrooms.
Need inspiration? These french doors add a touch of elegance to the space and the sunlight makes the room feel light and airey:
The Ultimate Walk-Out Basement
Adding exterior access points isn’t just great for making the most of your outdoor spaces. New doorways also allow you to maximize your living space by utilizing every level of your home.
Did you know that when getting your home appraised before putting it on the market, the basement is calculated differently than the rest of your home?
The above-grade of your home refers to any area that is at ground level, whereas below-grade is the term used for your basement. The below-grade square footage of a home is calculated to cost half that of any above-grade square footage.
That means that even if your basement is finished, it’s only valued at half the price of the rest of your home!
Looking for a way to make that finished basement work to your advantage?
Add an exterior access point and turn it into a walkout basement!
A finished basement can have a return on investment as high as 75%, and if turned into a walkout- it’s calculated as above-grade living!
Not planning on moving any time soon? A walkout basement could still be a great fit for your home! Convert unused basement space into:
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- Separate living space for your live at home college kid.
- A place for the visiting in-laws. (You can read more about in-law suites here)
- The perfect space for entertaining friends, complete with the ultimate game room and home theater.
Turning your basement into a walkout is a huge job. The home’s foundation will have to be carved out in order to accommodate a door- often- a stairway will need to be built leading down to the door.
Ready to Get Outside?
We can help!
Whether you’re looking for a new patio door or to maximize your home’s living space, we love helping Schuylkill County homeowners create their dream home.
Vern and his team are here to answer any questions you have and help you make the right choice for your home. Even better, our in-house designers can help you envision what these big changes would look like on your new home- and choose the best option for your budget and lifestyle.
Plus, we always take care of the permits and inspections on your behalf!
Right now, we have some space left for exterior builds and home renovations this fall. But the schedule is getting crowded fast. Thinking of improving your home to increase its value and better fit your family? Call us at 570-345-0406 to reserve your space!
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