Lidget Apex or Pent Concrete Sheds

These Lidget concrete sheds are ones I recommend when you want something more substantial than a conventional timber shed for storage, hobbies or workshop use. Choose a practical Pent roof or one of three Apex roof styles, with sizes available to suit different garden spaces.

I’m Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, and I have worked with garden buildings since starting my first business in 1979.

British-made by Lidget Compton, these buildings use reinforced interlocking concrete panels and include a personal door, window, fascia boards, professional assembly and a 10-year guarantee.

For me, their real strength is flexibility: choose the roof, size, wall finish, doors and windows around what you want the building to do.

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Why I Would Consider a Lidget Concrete Shed

Most people naturally think of timber when they hear the word shed, but there are times when I think a concrete building makes more sense. If you are storing valuable tools, bicycles, motorcycles, machinery or workshop equipment, the substantial reinforced concrete construction gives you a very different type of garden building.

I wouldn’t suggest that everybody needs a concrete shed. A good timber shed can be ideal for everyday garden storage. I would consider one of these Lidget buildings when strength, security, low maintenance and long-term use are higher priorities.

Choose the Roof to Suit Your Garden

One of the advantages of this range is that you are not restricted to one roof design. You can choose a practical Pent or single-slope roof, or select from three Apex styles if you prefer the more traditional appearance of a roof rising to a central ridge.

If I were choosing, I would consider appearance, overall height, where the building will sit and how rainwater needs to fall. A Pent can look neat and uncomplicated, while an Apex often looks more like the traditional garden shed people are familiar with.

From Compact Storage to a Proper Workshop

External widths and lengths are available from 4ft up to 16ft, with internal dimensions normally around 6in less than the quoted external size. That gives you considerable freedom to choose anything from relatively compact storage to a substantial workshop or hobby building.

My advice after many years selling sheds is to think about what will be inside in five years, not just what needs storing today. Bikes, garden machinery, tools, shelving and workbenches soon consume spare floor space, so a little additional room is rarely wasted if your garden allows it.

Reinforced Concrete Walls and a Choice of Finishes

The walls are made using reinforced interlocking concrete panels, providing a strong and rigid structure. The standard spar finish can be changed to optional brick, stone or textured finishes if you want a different appearance.

I would choose the finish according to where the shed will sit. A purely functional building tucked away at the end of a garden may not need the same treatment as one positioned prominently alongside the house or patio.

Door and Window Options Matter

A 3ft wide timber personal door and fixed window are included as standard, with alternative door and window specifications available. You can add further doors and choose fixed or opening PVCu windows depending on how you intend to use the building.

If you are creating a workshop, I recommend planning the inside before deciding where additional windows should go. Workbenches and shelving need usable wall space, so getting the layout right at the ordering stage can make the finished shed considerably easier to use.

One Building Can Have Two Jobs

A partition can be specified if you want to divide the interior. I think this is particularly useful on the larger sizes because it allows one building to perform two quite different jobs.

You might have a workshop on one side and garden storage on the other, separate a motorcycle from household equipment, or create a cleaner hobby area away from mowers and gardening tools. This flexibility is one of the reasons I would decide how the building will be used before choosing the final specification.

Think About Ventilation and Condensation

The roof construction varies according to the style you choose, so if you are storing equipment that may be affected by damp or intend to spend a lot of time working inside, discuss ventilation and condensation control when deciding on the specification.

A concrete shed is still an unheated garden building unless you specifically improve it for another purpose. If you are planning something more ambitious than storage or occasional workshop use, think about ventilation, insulation, electricity and the internal environment from the beginning.

Don’t Forget Rainwater

Guttering and downpipes are optional, and I think they are worth considering according to the position of the building and the roof you choose. Managing rainwater becomes particularly important when a shed is close to a path, fence or another structure.

Planning where the water will go before installation is much easier than trying to solve the problem afterwards. You may also be able to direct the guttering to a water butt and make use of the collected rainwater in the garden.

A Good Concrete Base Is Essential

These are substantial buildings and need a correctly prepared concrete foundation. The base must be made to the required dimensions and needs to be flat, square and level before the installation team arrives.

I have always regarded the base as part of the building rather than a separate job. If you need assistance with this stage, our base and additional building services explain the help available.

Professional Assembly Is Included

Full assembly and fitting are included at no additional charge, subject to the applicable delivery conditions, a correctly prepared concrete base and suitable access between the delivery vehicle and the building position.

Remember that the concrete sections need to be physically carried to the site and cannot be taken through your house. If you have a narrow side passage, steps, tight corners or another access problem, I recommend discussing it with us before ordering.

Concrete Shed or Timber Shed?

I wouldn’t describe one as universally better than the other because they serve different requirements. Timber gives you the traditional garden shed appearance and can be an excellent choice for normal storage, whereas reinforced concrete provides a more substantial solution when security, strength and long-term durability matter more.

If all you need is somewhere for a mower and a few garden tools, concrete construction may be more than you need. If you are protecting expensive equipment, storing motorcycles or bicycles, or creating a substantial workshop, I think the argument for concrete becomes much stronger.

A Transferable 10-Year Structural Guarantee

These Lidget concrete sheds come with a 10-year structural guarantee which is transferable if you move home, subject to the manufacturer’s terms. When you are investing in a substantial building intended to remain in place for many years, I think proper manufacturer backing is an important consideration.

Why You Can Rely on My Experience

I’m Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, and sheds are where my working life in garden buildings really began. I started Marina Sheds in 1979 and over the years have been involved with sheds, summerhouses, garages, garden rooms and log cabins, both as a manufacturer and retailer.

My son Craig joined me in 1992 after studying carpentry at Guildford College and today runs the day-to-day business, with me supporting him and the team as required. After all those years around garden buildings, I still believe the most important question is not which building has the longest specification, but which one best suits what you actually need it to do. You can read more about Robin Antill and the history of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.

See the Construction Before You Decide

A concrete shed is difficult to judge properly from photographs alone. Seeing representative buildings at full size gives you a much better idea of the concrete panels, doors, roof construction and available finishes.

You can visit our Surrey garden building display site near Guildford and Woking, where you can inspect Lidget construction and talk through the different roof styles, sizes and options with us.

What Sizes Are Lidget Concrete Sheds Available In?

The published range offers external widths and lengths from 4ft up to 16ft. Internal dimensions are normally approximately 6in less than the quoted external building dimensions.

Can I Choose Between an Apex and Pent Roof?

Yes. You can choose a Pent or single-slope design or select from three Apex roof styles. I would base the decision on appearance, height, position and how you want the building to work within your garden.

Is a Door and Window Included?

Yes. A high-quality timber personal door and fixed window are included as standard, with alternative doors and additional fixed or opening windows available as options.

Can I Use One as a Workshop?

Yes. Depending on the size and specification, these buildings can provide substantial workshop or hobby space as well as storage. If regular workshop use is planned, think about natural light, ventilation, electricity, insulation and your internal layout before ordering.

Is Professional Installation Included?

Yes. Full assembly and fitting are included at no additional charge, subject to the applicable delivery conditions, suitable access and a correctly prepared flat, square and level concrete base.

A Final Word From Robin

Sheds were where I started in this business back in 1979, and one thing I learned very early is that the right shed depends on what you intend to put inside it. If you only need somewhere for a few garden tools, there are simpler choices. If you want a substantial building for valuable equipment, bicycles, motorcycles, hobbies, a workshop or long-term storage, these Lidget concrete sheds are well worth considering. Choose the size and roof around your needs rather than simply buying what happens to be standard. If you would like help deciding which configuration would suit you, please get in touch and we will be happy to help.