San Rafael resident Robert Nebolon is an unabashed Eichler home enthusiast.
Nebolon, the principle of Robert Nebolon Architects and a member of both the American Institute of Architects and the Marin Builders Association, has been designing residential, commercial, public and civic projects since 1994 and Eichlers are an important part of his history.
“My experience with Eichlers goes back 20 years,” he says. “I owned — and renovated — an Eichler in lower Lucas Valley; I remodeled Eichlers in Burlingame and Cupertino for clients; and I visited the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Hillsborough that Eichler rented.”
Nebolon was also commissioned by Houseplans.com to design a set of plans (No. 438-1) inspired by Nebolon’s own Eichler, but larger and incorporating changes that would bring the design into the 2000s.
His design was popular with at least one mid-century modern-loving couple, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, who built the house exactly how Nebolon drew it up. He visited the finished home in 2016 when he accepted a Designer of the Year award from the HGTV network, which is based in Tennessee.
Eichler designs “are very good for family living,” he says, with plans that are fluid, flexible and open. “The house expresses an optimistic view of the world and that anything is possible and the sky’s the limit.”
He likens living in one to driving a classic 1965 Ford Mustang convertible on a perfect weekend afternoon.
“Both the house and the car are contemporaries, having been designed and constructed in simpler times, both have sporty personalities and both sit lightly on the land,” he says. “Slow and heavy with history are not what an Eichler and a Mustang are all about.”
Like cars, though, dream houses require updates and maintenance. And each owner must address the difficult question facing each one — keep it original or modify, or resto-mod, it.
“Some resto-mods are better than others,” he says. “The trick is to make changes that preserve the character of the house while increasing comfort and bring the house into the 2020s.”
Here’s his top six tips for improving and maintaining an Eichler home.
• Replace all single-paned glass with double-tempered glass.
“The glass units held in place with wood stops can be easily replaced with double-glass units and need not have aluminum frames,” says Nebolon, which will preserve the Eichler lightness and design while adding safety and comfort. “You will probably get protests from a general contractor or glass company but ignore them, because it can be done and still meet building and energy codes.”
• Replace the main electrical panel, as original Eichler breakers are no longer made and modern house power requirements are higher than the original 75 amp panel size.
“I recommend a 150 amp minimum upgrade to prevent overloads,” he says. “You want modern breakers to prevent electrical problems and fires caused by overheated circuits.”
• Replace the 3/8-inch thick-grooved wood panels with new 5/8-inch ones to meet the code minimum.
“Here’s a great source — Eichler Siding in San Rafael,” Nebolon says. “Insulate the wall while the siding is being replaced.”
• Preserve the original globe lighting fixtures.
“These are signature items, just like the three-part Ford Mustang rear taillights,” he says.
• Roofing can be problematic on Eichlers.
“Monitor the condition at flat roof areas,” he says. “Don’t install a spray-applied roof; these installs are expedient and typically sloppy. Instead, remove the entire roofing down to the deck,” preferably before moving in as it is messy.
Using short nails that won’t penetrate the decking, install nailable rigid insulation that’s at least 2 inches thick, making sure that it stops at the wall below without extending to the gutters, and then install the roof over that, he suggests.
“There are generally two types of roofing that can be installed over the rigid insulation,” he says, now that the original tar-and-gravel roofing isn’t used any longer. “Torch down asphalt rolls or single-ply membrane roofing.”
• Insulate interior and exterior walls.
“Insulate interior walls for sound-proofing and external walls for thermal comfort,” he says. “Also, change interior doors from hollow-core to solid core. A quiet home is really nice to have and adds value.”
• Prevent sagging cantilevered beams.
“The rule of thumb is that two-thirds of the beam should be embedded in a wall and one-third is visible or cantilevered,” he says. “In some (Eichler) cases, the actual embedment is only one-half of the beam.”
His solution? “Install a 4-by-4 post below the embedded beam end and anchor that post the concrete slab via a retrofit hold-down,” he says. “Then, fasten a strap from the (post) to the beam end above on both sides. This will prevent these from sagging over time and fix those that have already sagged.”
It’s a noble effort for those who embark on it, he insists. “By embracing the legacy of Joseph Eichler and his stable of very talented architects, you contribute to the ongoing story of these iconic mid-century modern homes.”
See more at rnarchitect.com and Instagram @robertnebolon.
Show off
If you have a beautiful or interesting Marin garden or a newly designed Marin home, I’d love to know about it.
Please send an email describing either one (or both), what you love most about it and a photograph or two. I will post the best ones in upcoming columns. Your name will be published and you must be over 18 years old and a Marin resident.
Not-to-miss events
• Enjoy live music and browse vintage and antique items outdoors at the French Market Marin from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in the Marin Civic Center parking lot at Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. Admission and parking is free. Go to thefrenchmarketmarin.com.
• Learn how to grow roses using organic pest and disease methods from Mill Valley’s Green Jeans Garden Supply owner Kevin Sadlier at the monthly meeting of the Marin Rose Society at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto in Mill Valley. Refreshments will be served and an optional raffle will follow. A $5 donation is requested from guests. Call 415-457-6045 or go to marinrose.org.
PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at [email protected].