BUILDING COMPANY

AT THE BUI LDING COMPANY, relationships are key. That includes the relationship between the father-son team at the head of the operation, their relationship with employees, subcontractors, and suppliers, and most importantly, their relationship with the customer.

The Building Company president Michael Spehar says lots of communication and a straightforward, honest approach are the ways of keeping the client relationship healthy.

“Communication is key in this business, especially here in Silicon Valley, where everyone’s connected and informed,” Spehar says.

Since so much of remodeling construction involves various trades, custom materials, and uncovering hidden damage, for Spehar a constant flow of information helps mitigate surprises. “We always keep the customer informed on what the next steps are,” he points out.

Spehar also says it’s important to him and his crew to remember they’re working where someone lives, so “our big thing, I can’t stress this enough, is being clean. This is our customer’s home!

“We put a lot of emphasis on dust control, protecting floors, and keeping our customer healthy and safe. We pride ourselves on doing things correctly, providing a high level of quality, and without cutting corners.”

Then there a re The Building Company’s ongoing relationships with suppliers. Companies like Eichler Siding, from whom The Building Company obtains their exterior siding, as well as providers of special Eichler beams and ceiling boards.

Those vital original-looking house parts include moulding and trim. When it is not readily available from suppliers, The Building Company replicates their own in-house, with great attention to detail. “Each area of design is just a little different,” Spehar says. “Some of the paneling, for instance, has a detail on the edge, where the two panels meet. We can actually duplicate that on the job site.”

Eichlers have been known to present numerous challenges to contractors over the years. That’s why, when it’s time to renovate, it’s of utmost importance to turn to a contractor with extensive Eichler experience to manage the project.

“It’s our Eichler experience that allows us to provide that high level of quality,” says Spehar.

“We’ve learned so much over the years about Eichlers. We’ve also learned that it’s an art to bring modern conveniences to these homes without compromising the original look and feel, and maintain the integrity of the Eichler design.”

The Building Company’s projects focus on project management, whole house renovations, kitchen and bath remodels, additions, exterior siding installation, doors, beam replacement, and dry rot repairs.

Double Pane Windows & Doors

Serving the Entire Peninsula

650-494-7000 kim@paloaltoglass.com www.paloaltoglass.com

CA license #676029

HARDLY A DAY GOES BY for Palo Alto Glass in which they’re not working on an Eichler home. So it feels that way for Kim Denton, estimator of the company’s residential division and head of its Eichler branch.

That they have a dedicated department just for Eichlers is a pretty good indication of just how experienced Denton and technical specialist Jeff Gusman are in simultaneously preserving and updating these homes.

“We get a lot of people asking us why don’t we do more ‘before and after’ photos, and it’s because our goal is to have the home look almost identical when we’re done as to the original design,” Denton says.

The replacements are indistinguishable visually, as the glass fits into slim, aluminum frames that maintain the Eichler aesthetic. However, it’s the savings that really stand out. The insulation from Palo Alto Glass’ double-paned glass helps to keep houses warm in winter, while its low-e coating provides sun control during summer.

It doesn’t matter how potentially tricky an installation might seem, too, as the company’s extensive training with mid-century modern homes has prepared them for every situation even for the oversized, fixed glass panels, a staple of an Eichler. Those panels can weigh up to 400 pounds, but Palo Alto Glass has the knowledge and tools to handle projects of any size with ease.

“It’s a rare combination that we have glaziers who are capable of installing those huge, frameless glass panels and also install sliding doors and windows,” Denton says. “And in an Eichler, there’s never any window that is exactly the same as another, so everything is always custom ordered.”

This versatility allows Palo Alto Glass to take care of any Eichler needs involving glass, whether it’s windows, doors, mirrors, shower enclosures, or skylights.

The company ensures that every panel of glass removed from a home is replaced the same day, and that most work is performed from the outside of the house. This minimally invasive process allows residents to remain in the comfort of their home as the crew completes the installation.

Palo Alto Glass also educates themselves on an ongoing basis on the various regional city building codes so that the process remains as stress-free as possible.

Though Dave Stellman, Denton’s father and founder of Palo Alto Glass, recently retired from the company, Denton guarantees that she and her staff will continue to operate in the fine tradition of the original company, which has been in operation since 1984.

“Palo Alto Glass is going to remain the same company that we have been for the past 38 years,” says Denton, “and homeowners can still expect the same level of customer service.”

• Showroom located at 4085 Transport Street, Palo Alto

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CHARLES WINDOW & DOOR COMPANY

HAVE YOU EVER HAD SUCH A GREAT experience with a business or vendor that you wished you owned the company? That’s how much Niko Frithiof believed in the San Rafael-based Charles Window & Door Company (CW&D).

In 2000, the company worked on Frithiof’s home. He was so impressed with the service, technical expertise, and quality of installation he received that, in 2004, he and a business partner acquired the company. Frithiof is still an essential part of the CW&D team and instills the same fundamentals that initially impressed him.

The Charles Window & Door history is just the beginning of the company’s story. Unlike other ‘in home’ window and door companies, CW&D is not a high-pressure, ‘sign-or-else’ sales experience. Instead, they emphasize collaboration and advice to help clients make a decision they will be proud of and comfortable with, and offer the best project solution from their wide range of top-quality brands.

CW&D’s goal is to help clients navigate replacement window and door choices for a customized, long-term, value-oriented solution for their home. CW&D’s history with Eichler homes is extensive. “We’ve done work on a lot of Eichlers,” says Frithiof. When comparing them to more conventional homes, “they have different and unique details to address,” he explains, noting issues raised by Eichler custom door sizes as well as their absence of exterior trim, all presenting a very unique set of circumstances.

“Having worked on Eichlers for years, we completely understand that each Eichler project is different and requires a distinctive approach.”

Charles Window & Door distinguishes itself by being a ‘Preferred Installing Retailer’ for premium brands of windows and doors. “We are proud to introduce our exclusive partnership with Infinity by Marvin to our marketplace,” says Frithiof. Other brands that they are honored to represent are Simonton, Milgard, Marvin, and All Weather.

As a locally owned company Charles Window & Door Company is strongly community-oriented, serving customers in Marin, Sonoma, Napa, San Francisco, and the near East Bay.

The company is involved with local charity organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Skills Tiny Homes, and Girls Garage. “Giving back, along with being environmentally responsible, are core values that we believe in,” says Frithiof.

Make an appointment today to visit the CW&D window and door showroom in San Rafael and experience their excellent customer service and quality windows and doors.

• Showroom located at 1505 Francisco Blvd. East, San Rafael

Sherry Scott Design

INTEGRATING CABINETRY AND APPLIANCES are all a part of Sherry Scott’s typical day at her showroom helping clients convert ideas into reality.

“I’ve been working in this line of business since 1985, and under this name and location since 2017,” says Scott, owner of Sherry Scott Design.

Her company offers indoor as well as outdoor cabinetry, and she welcomes homeowners to check out her company’s showroom in Los Altos.

“Clients like to visit our showroom,” says Scott. “They get to see textures and colors and the visual explanation alone is worth the trip.”

Scott’s approach to designing a space for new cabinetry is to not be trendy “not to do a grayand-white rendition of anything today,” she says. Her approach “considers people’s favorite colors, preferences…and the environment, and the building envelope they’re working with. A good kitchen remodel should look great for 25 years.”

For indoor cabinetry lines, Sherry Scott Design offers Nova, Cucina, and Puntotre, three high-end Italian brands that understand the mid-century modern aesthetic.

For patios and outdoor projects, the company features Danver as well as Brown-Jordan, a modern line of outdoor cabinets with clean, crisp lines, and no handles “all of the nice modern elements that go well in an Eichler,” Scott says.

When planning a cabinetry renewal project, Scott advises factoring in appliances as well. “When you’re planning and designing, and you want the best end result, it’s best not to just throw in random appliances, to prevent gapping and other issues.”

For appliances, Scott works with Lynx Professional, a manufacturer of cooking appliances, grills, pizza ovens; and True Refrigeration, a company that makes icemakers, beverage makers, wine refrigerators, etc. “True has a great warranty, and keeps the chill factor even in hot climates,” Scott says.

Cabinetry and countertop materials are another important element to be considered. “Today’s materials are thermo-structured, it’s a heat process,” says Scott.

“You could look at a kitchen with this material on it and not know it isn’t wood. It has a wood feel, a three-dimensional texture, and a more robust surface that is harder than wood, doesn’t absorb or scratch like wood, is easier to maintain, and costs less.”

What Scott recommends to all clients whether in an Eichler or another style home “is to be open-minded about what the possibilities are, particularly if you’re working with a design professional, even if they may be recommending something new that you’re not familiar with.”

At Sherry Scott Design, this path oftentimes leads to exciting and successful results.

• Showroom located at 169 Main Street, Los Altos

Polyurethane Foam Roofing

Serving Palo Alto to San Jose

650-327-3200 info@dura-foam.com www.dura-foam.com

CA license #435836

DURA-FOAM ROOFING & SOLAR CENTER CEO Adam Feriante has good reason to believe in his company’s work.

“Our customers have found our roofs to be ideal for Eichlers,” he says. “Foam roofing certainly has some attractive properties.” And, as he also readily points out, “So does our company.”

“First, sprayed foam is thick, close-celled, waterproof, and is not hurt by walking on its hard surface.

“Secondly, it is lightweight, and reduces structural stress. Thirdly, it is the very best insulator, topped with reflective coating, and it can be built up to displace the areas of very heavy standing water.”

What’s more, Feriante says, the Dura-Foam product is the only kind of roofing material that is ‘renewable.’ “We haven’t needed to replace any of the cared-for roofs we originally installed,” he says with pride, “and we’ve been doing this for over 40 years.”

Dura-Foam roofs recoated at the five-year mark get five years added to their Leak Proof Guarantee. “It’s a great value when you recoat early,” says Feriante. “We are typically dealing with the homeowner who purchased the roof, and don’t expect to recoat again for another 15 to 25 years.”

Feriante recommends recoating before putting your home on the market. “It is a smart idea to recoat right before a house is sold,” he says, “so the buyer has a guarantee, and the transaction has the benefit of a clean roof inspection.”

Dura- Foam offers roof-mounted PV solar systems in addition to foam roofing. Feriante points out that a long-lasting foam roof is a perfect match for PV solar installations. “Pairing a Dura-Foam roof with a PV solar system designed to last longer than systems installed just a few years ago, works great,” he says. “These newer module and inverter designs are resulting in superior performance and longevity.”

“Since solar and the roof always come into play with each other on residential solar systems, it’s no wonder why Eichler owners are more careful these days about roofing choices,” Feriante says. “It is an expensive mistake to install a PV solar system on top of a roof that will last only 12 to 15 years.”

Feriante’s focus on decades of quality roofs has earned Dura-Foam Roofing & Solar Center an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. “A huge pool of satisfied customers makes us who we are,” he adds.

Having lived in two Palo Alto Eichlers, Feriante especially enjoys and appreciates working with Eichler owners. “People that have Eichlers love their homes, and they’re among the nicest group of homeowners anywhere. I love working with them,” he says.

Abril Roofing Company

SOME PAIRS OF INVENTIONS are just made for each other. Ask the Smucker’s jam company or Reese’s chocolates how they feel about peanut butter.

To Rick Abril, Eichler homes are one such invention, and their ‘peanut butter’ is a product initially used just for insulating conventional roofs. In fact, one of the most popular mistaken beliefs homeowners have harbored over the years had to do with sprayed-on polyurethane foam as a roofing material.

“A common misconception about foam roofing is that it’s soft and spongy,” says Abril, co-owner with David Kumar of Abril Roofing Company, noting that the foam fully hardens in 30 seconds after being applied to the roof.

Polyurethane Foam Roofing

Serving Marin, San Francisco, East Bay & San Mateo 866-630-7663 info@abrilroofing.com www.abrilroofing.com

CA license #841849

With 20-plus years in the roofing business and close to 2,000 Eichlers roofed Abril and Kumar are used to the learning curve for customers regarding foam roofs.

“We specialize in spray foam, and that’s such a perfect fit,” Abril says of why Eichlers are such a large part of their business. He cited the Abril EcoFoam’s capacity for insulating a home while resisting ponding or leaks on flat roofs, adding, “They were made for each other.”

After spraying on 1.5 inches of seamless foam, the roof is topped with a flexible elastomeric coating. The two combine for a lightweight, virtually leak-proof enclosure. Whenever Abril’s sta ff finds maintenance issues tha t stand in the way of readily applying their EcoFoam, the company has what it takes in house to handle the repair, especially for Eichlers.

“Any dry rot we find, we have the materials to fix it,” says Abril, explaining that the company stocks the necessary tongue-and-groove decking board, and exterior siding too, in its East Bay warehouse. They also replace skylights because, he says, “Reroofing is a perfect time to replace skylights, and Eichlers always seem to need them.”

Another problem that can affect Eichler roofs starts in the foundation specifically, the domestic water pipes. “When those go out, they have to reroute piping over the roof,” Abril says. “We also have all that plumbing expertise nearby.

“We’re like a one-stop shop. Whatever it takes to repair your roof, we get it done.”

Customers usually work with Abril initially, and then Kumar, who dispatches and manages the work crews. It’s a successful roofing partnership that dates back two decades even before the two men launched Abril Roofing with Rick’s father, Richard, who’s now retired.

Abril and Kumar are truly best of friends they’ve been known to vacation together and are even neighbors in the East Bay. “We’re stuck with each other,” Abril says with a laugh. It’s also a pairing you can trust, he points out not unlike that classic one-two combo of peanut butter and jam.

IT’S BEEN YEARS since there was a Shelton at Shelton Roofing, which is named for its early 1940s founder. All the same, consistency is the hallmark of this Mountain View-based operation.

“The most important thing when dealing with the public is communication,” says Shelton president Paul Lawson, who joined the company decades ago, as did much of his staff. To accomplish that communication, he adds, “We do it a little different than most companies.”

“Most companies, when you have a salesperson, that’s all they are,” he explained of Shelton’s client-relations methodology. “We like to follow homeowners the whole job with the same person.”

In addition to being both a sales rep and estimator for the job, Lawson says, at Shelton “they’re also kind of a project manager as it goes through the process.”

After 75-plus years in business on the Peninsula, Shelton not only has a fleet of 30 service vehicles staffed with roofers, but also a crew of four estimator/managers, including Lawson himself.

“Customers like that because then they have continuity with who they’re talking to,” the president said of the company’s single-contact style of project management. Just as that style of personal service is based on decades of tradition, so too is the company’s allegiance to time-trusted materials.

“A lot of people moved away from tar and gravel we’re one of the ones that stuck with it,” Lawson said of the materials that comprised Joe Eichler’s original choice for a roofing system. The company also does modified bitumen and single-ply sheet roofing systems, but Lawson says many of the sales and distribution professionals he deals with think the superior product is, what he calls, good old “T&G.”

“Our little niche with Eichlers is tar and gravel,” said Lawson, whose brother-in-law’s father purchased the business in 1942. Lawson was hired in 1973 and notes, “We’ve been doing Eichlers ever since they were built, and we’re still doing them regularly today.”

Shelton’s chosen material suppliers are Malarkey, Certainteed, and GAF, Lawson said, adding, “We’ll do other things if people want, but those are our main ‘go-to’ materials.”

Lawson said about 70 percent of Shelton’s roofing projects are residential, and he seems content assessing the family business accordingly: “We’re not as big as some, but we’re pretty big as far as residential roofers go.”

And they’ve been there for South Bay and Peninsula homeowners, consistently for threequarters of a century.

• Quiet and more energy-efficient than traditional HVAC

• Cools and heats one room— or multiple zones in your

• Easy to install—in that inconspicuous out-of-the-way place

CAL-PAC ROOFING

BASED ON 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE atop roofs of Eichler homes, Cal-Pac Roofing strongly believes that the best, most versatile roofing system can be found in Duro-Last, a single-ply membrane that is lightweight and completely waterproof.

Operating in San Mateo since 1989, Cal-Pac is a full-service roofing company specializing in new installations and reroofing. Cal-Pac has found that working on flat or low-sloped roofs is not without its challenges, describing typical Eichler roofs as difficult designs to begin with, especially those with no slope built in.

However, Cal-Pac feels comfortable and confident on any kind of roof, Eichlers included, and as a company spokesman emphatically points out, “we stand behind our work. It is just that simple.”

But what are the advantages of single-ply roofing, and the Duro-Last product in particular, on an Eichler? For one thing, you can put any amount of water on top of this system, and it will not leak. It’s ultra-lightweight and completely approved by all state and local building codes. It’s been used nationally for the past 30 years has proven to be a long-lasting, maintenance-free system.

“ We’ve tried every type of flat roofing material available a nd found Duro-Last to be the system that solves many potential problems,” Cal-Pac says.

Comprised of a pliable yet incredibly strong and durable thermo-plastic formulated sheet, the membranes are pre-assembled at the Duro-Last factory to each roof’s specifications, and then installed on site as a custom prefabricated roofing system with minimal seams. And since the DuroLast material is highly reflective (up to 86 percent), it also reduces heat gain to help keep the house cooler on hot summer days.

As an option, rigid insulation may be applied under the membrane to increase the total insulation value. The addition of skylights, solar panels, or other changes at a later date is easy to do because the system is extremely flexible to enter and reseal for a qualified installer.

Cal-Pac has noticed a change in recent years, with heightened consumer awareness from Eichler homeowners and the desire to use the best products available to enhance the quality and value of their homes.

Wedge Roofing

IF YOU ARE LOOKIN G to replace, repair, or resurface the roof of an Eichler or comparable mid-century modern house in Marin County, there’s no company that has the credentials of Wedge Roofing. It’s not even close.

Many companies can boast roofing experience, but very few have over four decades as an Eichler roofing specialist that owner Ralph Wedge has amassed since starting his company in 1976.

“We first began re-roofing Eichler houses in the ‘70s,” says the company president, who counts the number of Eichlers roofed by his Petaluma-based company in the hundreds. “We devised a technique to improve the watertight performance and energy-efficiency of these beloved homes.”

Another desirable quality in a roofer is thorough training, which Wedge found sorely lacking in the industry in the 1980s. Consequently, in 1986 Wedge and a handful of other contractors founded and developed an apprentice training organization.

‘The Independent Roofing Contractors of California.’

After completing a 44-month curriculum, each apprentice receives a State of California-approved journeyman’s roofer certification.

“Our training is administered by Chabot College in Hayward and issues college credits as well,” Wedge says. “There’s a four-month class that’s just on single-ply.”

Single-Ply roofing is composed of manufactured sheets of either thermoplastic membrane (TPO) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both of which have proven ideal for Eichler flat roofs. Wedge recommends and installs Carlisle PVC and TPO Roofing Systems.

“Any type of heat-welded sheet provides the best value for your dollar,” Wedge says confidently. He notes that, in addition to a solid warranty, the key advantage of single-ply is that all the details of the finished roof are visible, and therefore easily inspected and monitored.”

“Carlisle’s been around since 1917, and they back their product,” he says of their preferred supplier based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Over the past four decades Wedge has assembled a database of drawings and dimensions of every model of Eichler roof pattern in Marin. It’s another way he prepared his company for working on Eichler roofs.

“We know and understand,” he points out, “that while improving the energy-efficiency and watertight capabilities of Eichler homes during re-roofing, we also have to maintain the original look of the Eichler. It’s important.”

JEFF AND AN NETTE NICHOLS operate a specialty family business that’s special to Eichler owners. Without Eichler Siding and the Nichols’ three patterns of exterior replacement siding, the Eichler neighborhoods would be looking a little shabbier these days.

Thanks to Eichler owners throughout California, Eichler Siding’s business has experienced steady growth in each of its more than 30 years in business. The Nichols’ siding is produced in three basic Eichler-friendly patterns: the thin line; the wide line; and another called PlankTex, featuring a swirl pattern. Each of these patterns is made to Jeff’s specifica-tions and designed to match your Eichler’s original exterior siding.

In addition, Eichler Siding has the capability of producing other, lesser-known Eichler groove patterns as well as special custom designs.

Do Eichler owners need to replace their siding? And why is it important to maintain the original look?

First of all, your original siding is your Eichler’s barrier between life inside and the weather conditions outside. The sun’s rays, rain, heat, and cold work together to break down its integrity. As a natural product, wood is subje ct to rotting when exposed to water. And when given enough time, says Jeff Nichols, “the weather will eventually win.”

Secondly, consider your home’s potential resale value. Having siding that matches the original is important because it ensures consistency, which is highly prized by potential buyers. “Consistency is a good thing in an Eichler,” says Nichols.

“And inconsistency can be a night-mare for real estate agents when they’re representing an Eichler whose siding has mismatched patterns, or features some other pattern altogether. This makes them harder to sell. And homes that have original-style siding carry higher prices than those that don’t.”

Eichler Siding recently expanded its product line by offering cedar fencing featuring the familiar vertical Eichler-groove pattern and a unique interior combed-plywood panel called ‘Weldtex.’

Nichols likes working with his Eichler customers because of the pride they take in their homes. “They value the historicity of the Eichler world,” Nichols points out. “Eichler owners like to think of their homes as if they are classic cars. And they like to keep things original.”

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Radiant Heat Maintenance

Serving the Entire Peninsula

408-986-8189 mlachance@att.net www.lachancesradiantheating.com

CA license #874787