Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life

Installing Solar // Exploration

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We've been exploring the idea of photovoltaic (PV) solar for a while, but are now pulling the trigger. Of course, the Coronavirus pandemic hasn't made this easy, but hopefully we can start to compile a team to get panels on our roof sometime this year. I'll create a few posts to try to keep things in one place for all of the parties involved.

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Step 1 // Identifying the goals

There are a lot of reasons people might choose to install PV-solar. For us, the primary driver is cost-savings. Our average electric bill is about $300/month — higher in the summer with air conditioners and lower in the winter when the gas kicks on for the boiler. With solar, we'd opt to use more electricity and less gas (i.e.: use the mini-splits in the winter for heat) — then there's the eventuality of an electric car at some point (for everyone — not just us). If we were to boil down our motivating factors into a list:

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How-to, Renovation // Transformation, Tips + Tricks

The five-dollar house jack

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In a recent renovation, I kind of* invented something: the $5 house jack. Using two pieces of material — in this case: composite decking (with good compressive strength) — and some common hardware, we were able to lift the beam holding the house, the 1/2in necessary to install a secondary support post. Check it out.

Block[The house jack in action … below a cut-to-size 4X4 post]

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How-to, Pictorial Modernism, Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life, Tips + Tricks

Where design meets real life: A POV

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As a builder, every time I pick up a hammer,

I realize something that I got wrong as a designer…

By day, I spend my time as a designer and design-educator dreaming up new ways to solve visual problems with a bit of beauty or interest. However, early-on in my career, I took a strong liking to the craft of production… on the journey, I've picked up a few new monikers: builder, maker, craftsman (or the latest: "super-detail-oriented-customer"). Between cabinetry designs, bath renovations, door installs and now audio builds, I'm keeping myself busy.

This has given a unique perspective on how to get stuff done that looks great and works well. I has also dispelled the idea that "good design" isn't about uniqueness, but has as much to do with what can be produced — and repeated if necessary… and last a long time. This spans the gamut from material choices to installation techniques… and along the way, I've learned a few things. Here are three tips that might come in handy when planning a project:

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[Over the years, my boots have seen a lot of muck, but each time I step in it, I learn something new.]

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Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life

Eichlerstencils.com + Kind words from the Eichler Network

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The latest set of stencils are available at EichlerStencils.com and the Eichler Network has stepped in to get the word out.

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Special Thanks to Marty Arbunich for his interest and to Dan Smith for the interview and great attention to detail in the article in general. Given their format, word count is at a minimum, but here in blog format, I can expand a bit on what Dan said in his original text.

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Pictorial Modernism, This Modern Life

4082 Wilson Lane For Sale

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Our friends Sean and Tracy are selling their house on Wilson. While we'll be sorry to see them go, we suspect they'll stay close, so we'll still see them often… and someone else gets to pick up a sweet house.

It's a "flat roof" model which is a bit under-appreciated in my opinion… I've always liked the simplicity of the flow and — to me — it feels a bit more vintage that the other two models in our tract. It also has the largest garage of the three. I was able to stop by the other day for some photos and to check out some of the work that Sean and Tracy have done to prepare for the sale.

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How-to

Fitting Ikea Utrusta hinges to Akurum Cabinets

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Yes, you can fit Ikea's Utrusta hinges (specifically the 153-degree type) to older Akurum cabinets (w/ Integral hinges) with slight modification. You'll need:

  • gumption: this is not a direct bolt-on modification and it finds you drilling larger keyholes in your now-discontinued doors
  • 153-degree hinges: these are available new at IKEA
  • 9/32 drill bit
  • a steady hand
  • the original Akurum T-style mounting plates: Perhaps you already have these mounted — if not, you'll need to find some or drill new pilot holes for the flat Sektion style — even more nerve wracking.

At first glance, the older Integral hinges and the 153-degree Utrusta are identical. They are not. They're close — and usable — but they are not direct bolt-on replacements. In order to use them, you'll need to drill larger keyholes in your doors. If you have your old/existing T-style mounting plates, you can re-use them (they are a direct bolt on), but if you don't, you'll either have to find some in an Integral set or drill new holes for the Utrusta / Flat-style as the hold configuration between the cabinets are different (side/side vs. top/bottom). Neither are hard, but if you're not careful, you can screw up a door that is no longer made. Here's how to do it and avoid catastrophe:

Duo

You can see the key "nuggets" are a bit larger on the Utrusta necessitating that you either shave them off or drill slightly larger keyholes in your doors.

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How-to, Pictorial Modernism, Renovation // Transformation, This Modern Life, Tips + Tricks

Redneckmodern: What’s this all about?

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Redneckmodern chronicles the renovation of an Eichler-built home in Concord California… since then, it has also become a repository for Eichler-specific know-how; general renovation information; and, mid-century-modern restoration tips.

It all started as joke between friends*, then became a blog, then something else. We're still here even if the project is almost complete… you might pick up something from our mistakes (and successes).

Front

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Renovation // Transformation

Ellen has a new door

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Ellen lives a few streets over and needed a new door… as most folks know, the original doors are hollow-core 1-3/8 interior doors — not really suited for exterior use… especially 50+ years of exterior use.

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She has the same model as we do (and the same as Chris/Sara and Lindsey/Jeff and Chris/Laura, Glen/Molly and Judith/David…) so it was a fairly familiar fit. However, in a past repair, someone had jacked up the framing a good bit which necessitated a good bit more repair work around the jamb, including sawing out the old bore-locations and replacing with new redwood… (tip: this is how it's s'posed to be done… leave the Bondo at home, kids).

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Ellen also opted for both the top and bottom plates. As an avid cyclist (and grandmother of rowdy kids), protection at the bottom corner from kicks and tires will be nice.

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She likes it so much, she's started to dress like it. 😉

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… and there's a good bit more landscaping and construction going on around the house, too.

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Renovation // Transformation, Tips + Tricks

Side deck and new uses for CaliBamboo’s BamDeck

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On the side of the MicroEichler, there was an under-used space that needed a purpose. I had been wanting to put either an outdoor shower or a potting area (we need to latter more than the former) and both could have benefited from a flat, even surface. It gave me the perfect opportunity to further test the new CaliBamboo BamDeck and perfect the install technique with the Camo Marksman driver. Ironically, the key to success was with a competitor's product.

IMG_5613[Facia still needs to be installed, but the structure and deck-top are complete…]

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