It was a warm Saturday morning in Richmond—the kind of morning that makes you believe you can conquer anything. Especially if that “anything” is siding.
I stood in front of our fixer-upper with a cup of coffee, a rented nail gun, and a Pinterest board titled “Modern Farmhouse Facades.” That’s when I uttered the fateful phrase:
“How hard can siding really be?”
Let me tell you: harder than it looks.
Chapter 1: The DIY Dream
You know the type—those DIY siding renovation blog posts where someone effortlessly transforms their entire house exterior with just a ladder, a staple gun, and a can-do attitude? That was my inspiration.
I imagined perfectly straight panels. Smooth lines. A transformation worthy of a home magazine spread.
Instead, I got:
Warped boards (spoiler: wood expands)
A sunburn in the shape of a measuring tape
And exactly one crooked panel nailed too tight to the house (it’s still there…mocking me)
Chapter 2: The Great Reality Check
After five hours and 1.5 panels, I stepped back to assess my progress. I was sweaty, mildly injured, and pretty sure my siding wasn’t attached to anything structural.
Then it hit me: I design interiors, not weatherproof exteriors.
That’s when I swallowed my pride, tossed the tape measure into the bushes, and Googled home siding installation richmond.
Chapter 3: The Pros Take Over
The crew that showed up? Efficient. Friendly. Didn’t laugh at the DIY corner I’d started (out loud, anyway).
They did things I hadn’t even thought of:
Checked moisture barriers
Leveled the lines with laser precision
Installed new trim without uttering a single curse word
And when they finished, the house looked stunning. Like the siding belonged there. Like the siding knew it was part of something bigger. Like the siding…had self-esteem.
Chapter 4: Design Redemption
Once the siding was done, the rest came together. I added modern house numbers. Black sconces. A reclaimed wood planter. Suddenly, that Richmond house had curb appeal that felt curated—not cobbled together.
All because I knew when to step aside and let people who actually install siding for a living do their thing.
Final Thoughts from Nate
Look, I love a good weekend project. Paint a hallway? Sure. Build a floating shelf? Absolutely.
But siding? Siding is serious business. It protects your home. It defines its look. And most importantly, it requires knowing what the heck you’re doing.
So if you’re tempted to start your own DIY siding renovation journey, ask yourself one thing:
Do you want a “character-filled” corner like mine—or siding that actually fits your house?
If it’s the latter, do what I should’ve done from the start.
Call the pros at home siding installation Richmond.
Save the flannel shirt for apple picking. 🪵