June 3 (Reuters) - ASX-listed James Hardie

proposed on Tuesday a private offering of $1.7 billion senior

notes, to be issued in one or more tranches, partly to fund the

cash needs for its proposed acquisition of U.S. artificial

decking maker AZEK ( AZEK ).

The proceeds will be used to repay and terminate AZEK's ( AZEK )

existing credit facility, as well as cover transaction fees and

related expenses.

The private placement announcement comes a day after the

fibre-cement maker unveiled new senior credit facilities

totaling $3.5 billion to support both its operations and the

U.S. acquisition.

In March, James Hardie said that it would buy AZEK ( AZEK ) for $8.75

billion, a move that could potentially expose the company to a

faltering U.S. housing market characterized by tariffs, an

immigration crackdown, and new housing stock at nearly a

two-decade high.