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What is a Breezeway? + FAQs

December 13, 2023
You’ve got countless options when it comes to apartment buildings features. Let us help you choose whether a breezeway is a must-have.

When finding the apartment of your dreams, there are countless features you need to consider. While some of the most common things you’ll look out for will be within the interior of your apartment, it’s equally important to take notice of some of the different features buildings have to offer as well.

From on-site laundry to covered parking and everything in between, we’re here to help you find all of the elements that make up your perfect apartment, including the often-overlooked building features like a breezeway.

What Is a Breezeway?

What Is Considered a Breezeway?

A breezeway is a mostly covered corridor for people to walk through that also allows for some outside airflow. There are many reasons why a building might have a breezeway, from permitting better airflow in areas of high wind to simple aesthetics. So, let’s take a closer look at the purpose of a breezeway, some of its features, and all the other details you need to know about these exterior elements.

breezeway-fence Above: Breezeways are often found above ground level, as seen in this example

What’s the Purpose of a Breezeway?

The main purpose of a breezeway for getting tenants from one place to the other with coverage from weather. Typically, these areas will not have cooling and heating but still allow for a sheltered passageway from extreme elements such as high heat, strong winds, rain, and snow. In addition to providing passage, there might also be architectural reasons for encouraging more airflow in a certain part of a building.

Some examples of where you may need to get to from your apartment include:

  • Parking lot
  • Garage
  • Pool
  • Another side of an apartment building
  • Another commercial building (such as a shopping center)

breezeway

Is a Breezeway Covered?

Yes, a breezeway is always roofed. One of the distinguishing factors of a breezeway is that it contains a roof connecting structures. While it may not always have siding, a breezeway will always be covered.

What's the Difference Between a Home vs. Apartment Breezeway?

Breezeways are popular building features, which is why it’s common to find them in both homes and apartment buildings. However, there is a subtle difference between these two breezeways, although they serve the same primary purpose.

A home breezeway usually refers to the covered walkway between the house and the garage. Alternatively, an apartment breezeway refers to coverage from one building to another.

Home breezeways are less common than apartment or commercial ones, but check out this video from Kens Karpentry as they remodel a garage with a breezeway:

What Should Renters Know about Breezeways?

In general, your main consideration as a renter is going to be whether you're comfortable making a breezeway part of your daily walking commute. Is being able to walk indoors to other buildings going to improve your quality life?

If you're looking at an apartment complex in a major city with a lot of traffic, for example, breezeway connections could be a huge bonus. Breezeway connections can extend across many buildings and many city blocks in some places, make it possible for you to travel relatively far without leaving the comfort of a covered space. So if the apartment you're considering has breezeways, be sure to ask how far they go (and whether they connect to buildings that have restaurants, shops, or malls).

Final Thoughts on Breezeways

Living in an apartment that offers a breezeway has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you see it. For some living in areas with harsh winters, having a breezeway is necessary. Having covered outdoor protection might not be high on the priority list for others in more moderate climates.

Ultimately, deciding whether having a breezeway is a priority comes down to personal preference. Whether you choose to go with an apartment with a breezeway or not, the next step is to register with Apartment List today. Once registered, take our easy quiz to come one step closer to finding the apartment of your dreams!

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Dr. Katherine Blake
CONTENT EDITOR
Dr. Katherine Blake is a content editor with Apartment List, where she helps ensure our renter and rental management content is fresh and informed by the latest data. Read More
Emily Kho
EMILY KHO
Emily is a professionally trained writer who covers a wide range of topics associated with the rental market and real estate industry. With over a decade of professional writing experience, Emily comes from a strong background in the field backed with a Bachelor of Science from the world-renowned William F. Read More

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