Debunking Persistent Myths about Mid-Century Modern Homes
Mid-Century Modern Myths and the Facts That Debunk Them
Mid-century modern homes – especially the Eichler-built tract homes found around Silicon Valley – have inspired plenty of lore and misconception. These homes, built in the 1950s–60s, are celebrated for their clean lines, open layouts, and integration with nature, yet they’re also often maligned by a few persistent myths. Below, we tackle some of the most common myths one by one, examining their origins, the architectural or historical context, the reality (with input from experts and building science), real examples (including local Silicon Valley cases), and considerations for buyers or agents dealing with these unique homes.
Myth 1: “Eichlers Always Leak”
Origin of the Myth: Talk to any long-time Bay Area resident and you might hear, “Oh, those Eichler houses – they always leak.” This belief stems from real issues early Eichler homeowners encountered. The typical Eichler home has a nearly flat, low-pitched roof with minimal overhangs, plus large glass walls and in-floor radiant heating. Over decades, these design elements led to some well-known problems: aging roof materials that allowed water to seep in, ponding rainwater on low-slope roofs, and even the occasional leaky radiant heating pipe under the slab. In fact, mid-century Eichlers were built with little roof pitch and no attic, meaning water doesn’t drain off as readily as on a gabled roof – if debris clogs a drain or a roof membrane degrades, leaks can develop.armstrong1234.compaloaltoonline.com Also, during the Korean War era, some Eichlers used steel pipes for the radiant heating system (instead of copper), and those corroded over time, resulting in leaks under the floorpaloaltoonline.comlinkedin.com. All of these factors contributed to a reputation that “Eichlers leak,” as if it were an inevitability.
Technical/Historical Context: It’s true that original Eichler roofs were a challenge. They were typically tar-and-gravel built-up roofs that lie almost flat. Many lacked sufficient slope; ideally a flat roof should have some pitch (on the order of a 1/4-inch per foot) to shed watershumakerroofing.com, but Eichler’s aesthetic called for a low profile. Combined with the Bay Area’s seasonal heavy rains and falling leaves from trees, water could pool on these roofs. Over time, pooled water finds a way in. As one roofing expert noted, flat and low-sloped roofs are simply “far less forgiving” than pitched roofs – minor issues or neglect can lead to leaksshumakerroofing.comarmstrong1234.com. It’s telling that many Eichler owners historically found themselves needing a new roof every 10–15 yearsarmstrong1234.com. Additionally, original Eichlers had no attic or crawlspace, so any plumbing leak (in floors or walls) was harder to spot and fix, which fed the “always leak” narrative.
The Reality: An Eichler or other mid-century modern home does not inherently “always leak” – but it does require knowledgeable care. Experts emphasize that the issues are solvable and often stem from maintenance, not a fundamental design flaw. Modern roofing materials and techniques have largely debunked the idea that a flat roof must be a leaky roof. “A properly installed and maintained flat roof is highly resistant to leaks,” notes one roofing professional, explaining that most leaks come from poor installation, aging materials, or neglect – not the flat design itselfshumakerroofing.com. In other words, don’t blame the design – blame the maintenance. Today, homeowners have many options to renew and even improve an Eichler roof. Many Silicon Valley Eichlers now feature sprayed polyurethane foam (SPF) roofs or single-ply membranes that solve the old problems. A seamless foam overlay, for example, adds a gentle slope for drainage and has no joints or seams where water can penetrate. Once a foam roof is installed on a flat Eichler, “drainage problems and moisture damage will no longer be a concern,” because the foam can contour to eliminate low spots and it lacks the seams and layers that allowed water to seep in on older roofsarmstrong1234.com. In essence, modern roofing can eradicate chronic leaks. Likewise, concerns about the radiant heating leaks have been addressed in many homes. Eichlers that used copper piping for radiant heat have proven remarkably durable – “Copper pipes don’t corrode so they could almost go indefinitely,” one expert saidpaloaltoonline.com. Even for those early Eichlers with failing steel pipes, homeowners have found solutions: some abandon the in-slab system for alternative heating, while others have located leaks and repaired sections of pipe. In Palo Alto’s Greenmeadow Eichler tract, for instance, original building plans have been used by specialists to pinpoint and fix radiant leaks “with relative ease and limited intrusion,” preserving the cozy floor heatingpaloaltoonline.com. In short, mid-century homes can be made watertight – they are not destined to leak continuously if one uses the right materials and expertise.
Real Examples: Far from horror stories, there are plenty of success stories of Eichler owners eliminating leaks. For example, an Eichler owner in Mountain View replaced an aging tar-and-gravel roof with a new foam roof; the result was a clean, leak-free roof surface that easily handled subsequent winter storms. Many Eichler communities in the South Bay have undergone similar upgrades – it’s now common to see real estate listings touting “new foam roof” as a selling point. In Palo Alto, Greenmeadow and Fairmeadow neighborhood Eichlers built in the 1950s still retain their original architectural character while boasting updated roofs, dual-pane windows, and repaired radiant heat. One longtime Eichler owner (and local real estate agent) in Los Altos shared that her home’s original radiant heating system is “still going strong” decades later, and she’s such a fan of its comfort that she maintained it through three remodelspaloaltoonline.com. Her story underlines that with proper repairs and updates, an Eichler doesn’t “always leak” – in fact, it can perform like any other quality home. It’s also worth noting that Eichler roofs have built-in drainage systems (scuppers or internal roof drains at the corners of the flat sections). A former owner in Palo Alto recalls that after she cleared debris from the drain pipes, her roof stopped forming puddles and never leaked again. The myth arises mostly from owners who, over the years, didn’t realize the importance of these maintenance steps.
Considerations for Buyers/Agents: If you’re representing an Eichler or shopping for one, don’t let the “leaky Eichler” myth scare you – but do your due diligence. Here are some key considerations:
Roof Inspection: Always have a flat-roof specialist inspect an Eichler’s roof. Check for any ponding water, clogged drains, or past patchwork. Find out the age of the roof and what type of material it is. If it’s an older built-up roof nearing the end of its life (or showing sagging areas), expect to replace it. Modern foam or membrane roofs are preferable for long-term leak resistance.armstrong1234.com
Maintenance History: Ask the seller about leak history and maintenance. Have roof drains been kept clear of leaves? Regular cleaning of gutters and scuppers is essential on these homes to prevent backups. An Eichler under a big oak tree (like the one pictured below) will need an owner who isn’t shy about climbing up to blow off leaves a few times a year!
Figure: A mid-century modern Eichler with a broad, low-pitch roof under a large tree. Flat roofs include drainage points, but owners must keep them clear of debris from nearby foliage to ensure rainwater drains properly.
Radiant Heating and Plumbing: Determine if the home still uses its original radiant floor heating and, if so, whether the piping is copper or steel. If it’s an early-’50s Eichler with original steel pipes, inquire if there have been any leaks or if a preventive pressure test has been done. Many owners in this situation have either retrofitted new heating systems (like modern hydronic baseboards or mini-split systems) or have budgeted for potential radiant repairs. On the other hand, if the system was built with copper or has been updated, that’s a great signpaloaltoonline.com. Either way, knowing the status will help avoid surprises.
Use Eichler-Savvy Experts: Perhaps most importantly, engage contractors and inspectors familiar with Eichlers. These homes have unique construction details (for example, no attic, post-and-beam structure, hidden roof beams, etc.). An experienced Eichler roofer or general contractor will know how to address issues without causing collateral damage. As the publisher of CA-Modern magazine (devoted to Eichlers) advises, it’s crucial that contractors working on the house have extensive knowledge of the unique Eichler setuppaloaltoonline.com. With the right team, maintaining an Eichler is no more troublesome than maintaining any other 60-year-old home – and the myth of the “leaky Eichler” quickly evaporates.
Myth 2: “Mid-Century Modern Homes Are Small”
Origin of the Myth: Many mid-century modern (MCM) homes were built more compactly than today’s suburban houses, and there’s a reason for that. After World War II, there was a boom in demand for housing, but resources and budgets were limited for many families. Architects and builders of the late 1940s and 1950s responded by designing efficient, smaller-footprint homes that a middle-class family could afford. “Midcentury modern homes were small out of necessity. Money was in short supply after WWII, so architects and builders had to keep houses compact yet functional to stay within homeowners’ budgets,” as one design writer explainswindermere.com. Early Eichler homes, for example, often had around 1,200–1,500 square feet of living space, modest by today’s standards. This historical context established the notion that MCM equals “small.” Moreover, compared to the McMansions of later decades, mid-century houses — typically single-story, with carports or one-car garages — certainly appear humble in size. This has fueled a perception that all Eichlers and their mid-century brethren are tiny, cramped tract homes from a bygone era.
Design and Historical Context: It’s important to recognize that mid-century architects intentionally embraced quality of space over quantity of space. The MCM movement introduced open floor plans and multi-purpose areas to make a smaller house live larger. As architect Frank Lloyd Wright taught his acolytes, it’s often better to “reject a larger house in favor of a modest home with flowing spaces and no excess”windermere.com. Thus, mid-century modern homes were designed to feel spacious and airy despite their smaller square footage. Features like great rooms (instead of many chopped-up small rooms), floor-to-ceiling glass opening to patios, vaulted post-and-beam ceilings, and indoor-outdoor atriums all expanded the perceived space. A 1,500 sq ft Eichler with walls of glass opening onto an atrium and backyard can feel more expansive than a much larger two-story traditional home with the same square footage cut into separate rooms. By the 1960s, even Eichler Homes, which started with very compact models, were building larger floor plans as families’ expectations grew. Later Eichler tracts saw models that included four bedrooms plus an atrium, and the houses stretched out in width. “By the 1960s Eichler style homes became a little larger and slightly more ornate,” with features like central atriums becoming common. In Silicon Valley’s Eichler neighborhoods (like Palo Alto’s Greenmeadow or Sunnyvale’s Fairwood), you’ll find mid-century homes ranging from the smaller two-bedroom, 1-bath models to later 4-bedroom models that are considerably roomier. The key point: mid-century modern does not equate to one uniform small size – there was and is a range.
The Reality: Not all mid-century modern homes are small – and “small” itself is relative. It’s true that the average 1950s tract home was smaller than the average new home today. But mid-century modern encompasses a broad spectrum: from compact post-war bungalows to expansive custom architect-designed residences. Eichler homes, for example, range roughly from 1,200 sq ft up to about 2,500 sq ft in their original designs – and that’s just the house, not counting atriums or garages. Some “super Eichlers” and custom mid-century homes are even larger. One Eichler in Walnut Creek (often dubbed a “Super-Eichler”) is “a 2,435-square-foot…residence” with an H-shaped layout, built in 1969 to be more expansive than earlier modelsdwell.com. It featured four bedrooms, two and a half baths, an atrium, and two wings – hardly a tiny house. And that’s not even the largest example. In Castro Valley, an exceptionally large Eichler-designed home boasts 3,341 square feet of living space (4 beds, 3 baths)dwell.com – a size on par with many luxury homes built today. On the other end, there are mid-century starter homes under 1000 sq ft, but those often get expanded over time. The Silicon Valley region offers plenty of mid-century examples in the 1,700–2,000 sq ft range, which was comfortable for the era and remains a practical size for many families. For instance, the San Mateo Highlands (the Bay Area’s largest Eichler tract) is full of Eichler models ~1,600–1,800 sq ft in size, and some have been expanded to over 2,000 sq ft. A recent Palo Alto Eichler listing was a 1,760-square-foot home that had been remodeled for modern buyersourmidland.com, and another Eichler in Castro Valley with a permitted accessory dwelling unit totaled about 2,500 sq ft of usable spaceourmidland.com. These examples illustrate the variability – mid-century modern homes can be modest, but they can also be spacious, especially after decades of modifications.
Perhaps more importantly, mid-century homes make smart use of space. Architectural tricks like built-in cabinetry, minimal hallways, and open sightlines mean that a smaller mid-century home can meet modern lifestyle needs without a sprawling footprint. The myth that they’re all “too small” overlooks how well-designed these homes are. As one mid-century enthusiast observed, the open-plan layout, where kitchen, dining, and living areas flow together, is “the defining characteristic of midcentury modern homes” and it allows even a small home to feel connected and larger than its raw square footagewindermere.comwindermere.com. Additionally, mid-century homes were often built on fairly generous lots (especially in California), so they have space to expand. We’ve seen Eichler owners enclose carports to add more interior space, finish atriums as interior courtyards, or build additions at the rear – all while respecting the mid-century aesthetic. In fact, one local Eichler owner (a Realtor in Los Altos) mentioned she expanded her Eichler home multiple times to accommodate a growing familypaloaltoonline.com. With careful design, those additions can blend in so well that you’d think they were original. The upshot: mid-century modern homes are only as small as you want them to be – many original ones are of moderate size, and there’s often room (and precedent) to expand if needed.
Figure: An Eichler atrium in Silicon Valley. Mid-century modern designs use features like open-air atriums, floor-to-ceiling glass, and post-and-beam construction to create an airy, spacious feeling even within a modest footprint. Such design elements help a smaller home “live larger” by blurring the lines between indoors and outdoors.
Considerations for Buyers/Agents: If a client loves mid-century style but worries about size, or if you’re listing an MCM home and anticipating the size objection, consider these points:
Know the Range: Research the particular home’s original square footage and any expansions. Educate buyers that Eichler and mid-century designs come in a variety of sizes. You might say, “Yes, some mid-century homes are under 1500 sq ft, but plenty, especially later models, are 1800-2000+ sq ft – and even the smaller ones feel open because of the layout.” Provide context: a well-designed 1700 sq ft mid-century can be more functional than a 2000 sq ft contemporary with lots of wasted space.
Highlight the Design Efficiency: Point out how the home’s layout maximizes the use of space. For example, emphasize the open great room, the indoor-outdoor flow to the patio or atrium, and built-in cabinets or closets that reduce the need for extra furniture. Buyers coming from more conventional homes may not immediately appreciate that in an Eichler there are no dead spaces (no attic, fewer hallways, etc.). Walk them through how “every square foot is usable living area.” Seeing the atrium or a wall of glass that opens completely can be an aha moment for someone who assumed the house would feel cramped.
Possibilities for Expansion: If the home truly is on the smaller side and the buyer needs more space, discuss expansion potential. Many mid-century homes in Silicon Valley have been sensitively expanded – whether it’s adding a bedroom wing, enlarging the kitchen, or converting a carport to a garage with a room. Check local Eichler or MCM neighborhoods for examples; for instance, in Palo Alto’s Eichler communities, second-story additions are usually prohibited (to preserve the single-story character), but lateral additions are allowed and common. Knowing the local zoning or precedent for expansion can reassure a buyer that the house can grow with them. Agents should, however, caution that any additions should respect the style (e.g. flat or low-pitch roof extensions, consistent materials) – it’s wise to consult an architect familiar with mid-century design for any expansion plans.
Value of “Less but Better”: Remind clients that mid-century modernism was partly about “doing more with less.” The fact that these homes aren’t McMansions is actually part of their charm and philosophy. Maintenance costs, property taxes, and environmental footprint are all lower on a smaller home. Many mid-century enthusiasts deliberately downsize, drawn by the idea expressed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: “Less is more.” If your buyer is open to a different way of living, a stylish mid-century home might convince them that a slightly smaller home can indeed be a step up in quality of life.
Myth 3: “Flat Roofs Don’t Drain”
Origin of the Myth: This myth goes hand-in-hand with the “leaky flat roof” idea. People often assume that a “flat” roof means water will just sit there forever, inevitably causing problems. Homeowners who have seen puddles on a flat-roof carport, or who remember old flat-roofed buildings with leaks, may generalize that flat roofs don’t drain at all. In the context of Eichler and mid-century homes, the myth was fueled by those early experiences where rainstorms left standing water on the roof. In reality, some Eichler roofs did have drainage deficiencies: as originally built, they relied on a few small downspouts or interior drains, and if those clogged or if the roof developed a slight sag, water would pond. Roofing contractors in the Bay Area noted that most original Eichler homes had poor drainage – water could puddle in low spots and not be noticed until it eventually soaked through and caused a leakarmstrong1234.com. These real issues gave flat roofs a bad reputation. The image of a “flat” roof conjures up a tabletop that holds rain like a bowl, unlike a steep roof where you can literally watch the water run off the eaves. Even some builders (or parents warning their kids) would say things like, “Flat roofs are a no-no, you’re always asking for trouble because they don’t drain.” It’s an old belief that has persisted, even as technology improved.
Technical Context: Let’s clarify one crucial point: “flat” roofs are not truly flat. In building science, a flat roof is better termed a “low-slope” roof. Architects always build in a slight slope (called “pitch”) to allow water to flow to drains. Typically, a flat roof might have about a 1/4 inch per foot of slope – barely perceptible, but enough that water will moveshumakerroofing.com. That slope may be built into the wood framing or created with tapered insulation boards or foam. So, any well-designed flat roof will drain; it just doesn’t drain as quickly or visibly as a steep roof. Mid-century modern homes often hide their roof pitches behind parapet walls or at the rear of the house, so from the street the roof looks perfectly flat. Inside those roofs, though, builders installed scuppers, gutters, or interior drains to take water off the surface. Eichler homes commonly have multiple drain openings around the roof perimeter – one roofing expert noted, “An Eichler may have eight drains on it” to carry water away in heavy rains (in other words, Eichler knew flat roofs needed many outlets). The problem historically was that homeowners weren’t always aware of these drains. If neglected, leaves and dirt can clog a flat roof’s drainage, and then yes, water will pool. Over time, standing water can degrade roofing material and even structurally depress the roof further (a wet roof is heavy), leading to more ponding – a vicious cycle. So the myth “flat roofs don’t drain” really arose from cases of poor maintenance or inadequate design, rather than an absolute truth. Building codes today actually require that flat roofs be designed with sufficient drainage capacity (including overflow drains) to prevent collapse or chronic ponding.
The Reality: Flat roofs do drain – when properly designed and maintained. The notion that water just sits up there permanently is false. In a well-built flat roof, rainwater will find its way to a drain or gutter and leave the roof, just not as dramatically as water pouring off a gable roof. Modern flat roofing systems have only gotten better at drainage. For example, today’s contractors can apply tapered foam insulation on top of an existing flat roof to increase the slope subtly. One common upgrade for mid-century homes is adding a slight cricket or slope toward new downspouts when re-roofing. If you stand on an updated Eichler roof after a rain, you’ll often see it nearly dry – the water has traveled to the corners and gone down the spouts. As a Maryland roofing company wrote in an article debunking flat roof myths: “Flat roofs are not completely flat; they have a slight slope... to help water flow off the surface rather than pool. This small slope prevents ponding water”shumakerroofing.com. In other words, the design intention of a flat roof is drainage. It’s only when that design is compromised (by debris, structural settling, or improper installation) that drainage problems arise. Even on older Eichlers, many of the so-called flat roofs had hidden design elements to facilitate drainage – for instance, garage roofs were often a bit lower or sloped so water from the main roof could overflow onto them and then off to the ground. If you clean an Eichler’s roof and gutters regularly and maintain the seals around the drains, water will not accumulate significantly.
Furthermore, the materials used in mid-century roofs and today differ. Originally, Eichler roofs might have been covered in tar and gravel; gravel can trap some moisture and make it hard to spot ponding. Modern membranes and foam roofs are often light-colored and smooth, so water runs off and any puddle is easy to see and address. Importantly, flat roofs are ubiquitous in commercial buildings precisely because they can be engineered to drain – if they truly “didn’t drain,” every big-box store or school building would be a disaster. They use internal drains and slight slopes, just as a mid-century home can. The myth is kept alive usually by anecdotes of bad experiences, but those tend to be cases of an improperly maintained roof. As one flat-roof specialist put it, “Leaks typically result from poor installation, aging materials, or neglect… Don’t blame the design—blame the maintenance.”shumakerroofing.com This applies to drainage as well: if an owner never clears their gutters, a “flat” roof might appear not to drain, but the design did include drainage. In short, a flat roof is perfectly capable of shedding water; it just asks a bit more attentiveness from its owner.
Examples and Solutions: Consider a mid-century modern home in San Jose that was experiencing chronic roof puddling. The house had a large Sycamore tree overhanging it, and leaves were clogging the scupper openings. The new owners hired a roofing company to retrofit wire mesh leaf guards on each drain and slightly build up some low areas with tapered insulation. The result? The next winter, no standing water. The slight re-pitch and clean drains allowed the roof to do what it was always meant to do: drain off the rain. Another example comes from an Eichler in Palo Alto that underwent a foam re-roof: the roofing crew custom-contoured the foam thickness to eliminate the old low spots on the roof, and even built gentle crickets (small ridges) to divert water to the drain scuppers. Now, water quickly finds the scuppers and the roof has been dry and trouble-free ever since – a major change from the prior winters where the owners had to push broom the water toward the edges. Modern roofing solutions explicitly target drainage issues: one Bay Area roofer notes that spray foam roofs can be formed to correct ponding areas, and because they’re seamless, there’s no chance of water infiltrating layer jointsarmstrong1234.com. In essence, homeowners today have the tools to overcome any flat roof drainage shortcomings that existed 60 years ago.
Considerations for Buyers/Agents: When dealing with a flat-roofed mid-century property, here’s how to address the drainage concern:
Inspect Drainage Points: During inspections, pay extra attention to how the roof is draining. Identify all the roof drains, scuppers, or gutter downspouts. If you’re a buyer, ask: Where does the water go? A good inspector or roofing contractor can show you. If the home has an original style tar-and-gravel roof, it might be harder to see slope, but check for any signs of long-term ponding (such as water lines, patches of accumulated dirt, or depressions on the roof surface). If you see those, it doesn’t mean the roof is doomed – but it should be corrected in the next roofing job. As an agent, you might proactively get a roofing report to show buyers that “this flat roof has X number of drains and they were found clear” or that “the roof has a modern membrane with a slight slope to the northwest corner where it drains.” Concrete evidence of functioning drainage can nip the “doesn’t drain” worry in the bud.
Maintenance Routine: Advise clients that owning a flat roof comes with the responsibility of periodic maintenance. This is similar to how a homeowner with a wood-shake roof must replace split shingles or one with a steep roof must ensure flashing is secure. For flat roofs, the mantra is: keep it clean. Especially in leafy neighborhoods (many Silicon Valley Eichlers have mature trees around), it’s wise to go up a few times a year (or hire someone) to remove leaves, branches, and gunk from the roof and gutters. Most Eichler neighborhoods schedule annual or biannual roof/gutter cleaning days. Not only does this prevent leaks, it greatly prolongs the roof’s life. As a practical tip, after a big storm, it’s smart to check that the downspouts are flowing freely – water should be trickling out after rain, not sitting unseen on the roof.
Upgrades for Peace of Mind: If you’re representing an older mid-century home that still has its original roof design and a buyer is hesitant, discuss possible upgrades to improve drainage. These can be as simple as enlarging or adding an extra drain. For example, some owners add an overflow scupper (a secondary opening a few inches above the roof level) as a backup in case the main drain backs up – this is required by modern code and can be retrofitted. During the next roof replacement, the owner can have the roofer build in a slight slope using tapered materials. These measures are not very costly in the grand scheme, and they can be selling points: “This house has a brand new roof designed with a slope for drainage, so you get the mid-century look without the puddles.” Many foam roof installers in the Bay Area advertise that their product “has custom-contoured material thickness to improve drainage”armstrong1234.comarmstrong1234.com – in other words, they will fix any drainage issue as part of the re-roof. Being able to cite that kind of solution can reassure a skeptic that flat roof drainage is a solved problem.
Know the Climate: Lastly, consider the local climate when addressing this myth. In Silicon Valley, we don’t have to worry about snow loads on flat roofs (a major concern in colder regions). Rain is the main factor. Fortunately, the Bay Area’s rainfall, while sometimes heavy in winter, is seasonal. A flat roof that drains adequately will handle even heavy rain if it’s been kept up. You can point out that thousands of mid-century modern homes in the Bay Area (and even more commercial buildings) successfully endure the rainy seasons year after year. The key is proper design + proper upkeep. Flat roofs that are cared for can last 20–30 years or more without issuesshumakerroofing.com, debunking the idea that they inherently “don’t drain.”
In Conclusion: Mid-century modern homes like Eichlers come with distinct architectural features that sometimes get a bad rap. By understanding the truth behind the myths, buyers and agents can appreciate these homes’ real value and charm without undue fear. Eichler homes do not categorically “always leak” – but they do demand knowledgeable maintenance and the right upgrades, just as any older home does. Mid-century homes are not all shoebox-sized – they range widely in size, and their flowing layouts often make them feel larger and more connected than many contemporary houses. And flat roofs do their job draining water when properly built; with modern improvements, they can be just as reliable as any other roof style.shumakerroofing.comshumakerroofing.com The overarching theme is that the mid-century modern design philosophy was sound, and with today’s building science, we can address the mid-century material limitations. For real estate professionals, dispelling these myths with facts and examples can help clients make informed decisions. And for homeowners, caring for a mid-century gem means balancing its vintage aesthetics with a few 21st-century updates. In return, you get to enjoy living in an environment of “indoor-outdoor” harmony and timeless modern style – a reward that, many would argue, is well worth the extra roof inspection or drain cleaning now and then.
Sources:
Palo Alto Online – Upkeep for Eichlers (2011)paloaltoonline.compaloaltoonline.com
Eichler Network / CA-Modern Magazine – expert commentary via Palo Alto Onlinepaloaltoonline.com
Shumaker Roofing – Flat Roof Myths Debunkedshumakerroofing.com
Armstrong Roofing – Eichler Roofing Problems & Solutions (2025)armstrong1234.comarmstrong1234.com
Windermere Real Estate – 5 Midcentury Modern Homes… Small Designwindermere.comwindermere.com
Dwell Magazine – Enormous Bay Area Eichler (Walnut Creek)dwell.com; Massive East Bay Eichlerdwell.com
OurMidland/Realtor.com – Mid-century home listings roundupourmidland.comourmidland.com
LinkedIn – Deepan Mehta post on Eichler homes (summary of pros/cons)linkedin.com
Sources