Maaken widens AAC range with James Hardie as builder goes all-in

Maaken says the wider range is meant to deliver year-round comfort. General Manager Jake Green said: “Developers have reported more buyers are prepared to make a higher initial investment in their home when they can see tangible benefits over the home’s life.”

What Maaken says about demand

Green said demand has been strongest in South East Queensland growth corridors, where builders want speed, energy performance and a point of difference from traditional brick veneer.

He said Maaken’s construction partners also reported the technology has been popular with young families and upgraders watching comfort and energy costs, while design-led builders wanted a contemporary monolithic masonry-style look. Maaken says it is working with partners such as James Hardie to offer a full AAC solution rather than panels alone.

The builder case: Homes by CMA

Homes by CMA has worked exclusively with Maaken for more than six years, the release says. Construction Manager Angelo Pregliasco said the builder chose to use AAC in every build during the COVID period, citing rising buyer demand and new energy regulations, and to make builds more efficient and consistent.

Pregliasco said Queensland’s introduction of a minimum 7-star energy efficiency rating for new homes pushed the builder to put AAC in every home, and that faster build times and cleaner sites were further benefits. He also said Homes by CMA was the first residential builder to use James Hardie’s AAC product on site. Those are his claims, and we have not verified them.

What’s next

The release does not give pricing, volumes, or a date for the extended range, and does not say how many homes are planned with the new product. Maaken describes itself as an Australian-owned business with more than 30 years supplying walling, flooring and specialty solutions to residential builders and developers.