After 20 years of using Hardie siding in home renovation projects, Chip and Joanna Gaines have their own, 16-color collection with the company that pioneered the technology behind James Hardie's fiber cement building products.

The stars of "Fixer Upper" on HGTV, relaunched in 2021 as "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home," on the newish Magnolia Network, also have a collection of home accessories – Hearth & Hand – with Target. Now they're heading outside the home with products that stand up to Texas' high heat and humidity.

In Waco, where they live with their five children, the couple also produces the Magnolia Journal magazine and operates the Magnolia Press coffee shop, Magnolia Table restaurant and Silos Baking Co.

The Magnolia Home James Hardie Collection includes lap siding in two textures and four sizes, straight-edge shingles and a board-and-batten product with trim in two textures. All come in 16 colors, an earthy palette curated by Joanna Gaines. While you can buy some James Hardie products at big-box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's, this new collection would be purchased through a homeowner's contractor or builder. You can see the choices online at jameshardie.com.

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Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new collection of exterior siding with James Hardie, the Magnolia Home James Hardie Collection.

"When you're taking someone through the (home remodeling) process, there can be so many decisions to make. I picked 16 of my favorites that will  stand the test of time. I want to drive by a house (we've remodeled) and have nothing to regret," Joanna Gaines said. "Green is my favorite color and I would paint every house that color. What I love about it is it can transition from traditional to modern and even cottage style."

The colors range from creamy whites to neutrals such as tan, gray and taupe, six shades of green, plus a navy blue and black. All of the colors are muted, leaving Gaines to comment on her current affection for richer colors with depth and interest. 

"Sometimes you want lightness, but sometimes you want to be more mysterious or intentional and unique. It depends on the style you’re going for. Right now I’m into moodier colors," she said.

In the Gaines' home remodeling shows, their format is to find the worst house in the best neighborhood, then redo the space inside and out, turning very ugly ducklings into sparkling jewel boxes. Their popular show has taught farmhouse chic style to many, ensuring that virtually every American knows what shiplap is.

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They don't ignore the exterior of homes, understanding that a place's curb appeal is its all-important first impression.

Chip Gaines said he's used Hardie siding for years, and he sticks with the brand because it's been so reliable, is fire resistant and resists chipping, cracking and fading.

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"I was using Hardie siding even before we got married – for 20 years. It's a no-brainer," Chip said. "She's riding my coattails on this one." 

The couple described Hardie siding as a home's exterior base, upon which they add layers such as shutters, columns, a front door – and, possibly its color – furniture, planters and even a doormat.

Beyond this new siding collection, Chip Gaines noted some of the couple's best low-cost tricks for refreshing a home's exterior.

"On the lower end, you have landscape projects and you can even update your mailbox or landscape. And paint is the biggest miracle worker of all. Jo and I have solved a lot of problems with paint. It can make a home feel like an entirely new place," he said.

"You want to know one thing you can do for free?" he said, nudging his wife, who clearly knew what was coming. "What have I been trying to get (son) Drake to do? Mow the lawn."

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Diane Cowen has worked at the Houston Chronicle since 2000 and currently its architecture and home design writer. Prior to working for the Chronicle, she worked at the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune and at the Shelbyville (Ind.) News. She is a graduate of Purdue University and is the author of a cookbook, "Sunday Dinners: Food, Family and Faith from our Favorite Pastors."