Lidget Anthracite Deluxe Mansard Pent Garage

The Lidget Anthracite Deluxe Mansard Pent is one I recommend when you like the practicality of a single-slope roof but want a more distinctive front elevation. Its raised pantile-effect Mansard frontage and dark anthracite detailing give it a contemporary character of its own.

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

British-made by Lidget Compton, it includes reinforced concrete panels, a galvanised steel main roof with anti-condensation protection, personal door, PVCu window, real brick front posts, guttering and professional fitting.

For me, it combines practical Pent construction with a much more individual modern appearance.

Lidget Compton Concrete Buildings

What Makes the Anthracite Mansard Pent Different?

The feature that sets this model apart for me is the front elevation. Behind it you have the practical single-slope roof of a Pent garage, but at the front Lidget adds the raised Mansard treatment with a pantile-effect roof. It gives the building considerably more presence when viewed from the driveway.

Add the dark anthracite detailing and black main garage door and you have a building that looks quite different from the standard Pent. If the front of your garage will be clearly visible from the house or road, I think that extra attention to appearance can be worthwhile.

Mansard Styling Without a Full Pitched Roof

One of the interesting things about this design is that you don’t need a conventional Apex roof to achieve a more decorative frontage. The main roof remains a practical mono-pitch design, while the pantile-effect treatment is concentrated at the front where it has the greatest visual impact.

That makes the Anthracite Mansard Pent an interesting alternative if you like the straightforward construction of a Pent but feel an ordinary single-slope garage looks a little too plain for its position.

A Contemporary Anthracite Appearance

Anthracite works particularly well where a house already has dark grey windows, doors or other exterior details. Rather than trying to match brickwork exactly, you can use the darker garage details to pick up colours already present on the property.

I would consider the complete front elevation when choosing your specification because the main door, personal door, fascias and other details all contribute to the finished appearance. On a building this size, these choices can make quite a difference.

Reinforced Concrete Construction

The garage is built using substantial concrete sections, with reinforced interlocking panels providing strength and making efficient use of the available internal space. Different external wall finishes are available, allowing you to choose an appearance that works with the anthracite details and your property.

Hand-pointed real brick front posts are also included. I think these are particularly effective on the Mansard design because they help frame the main entrance and give the more decorative front elevation a properly finished appearance.

How the Main Pent Roof Works

Behind the decorative front, the main roof uses fully galvanised steel roof sheets supported on C-section galvanised steel rafters. A vapour-proof anti-condensation lining is included beneath the roof sheets.

The single-slope arrangement directs rainwater in a controlled direction, with PVCu gutters and downpipes included. It is a straightforward roof system and, in my view, that practical simplicity is a useful contrast to the more decorative Mansard treatment at the front.

Doors and Everyday Access

A black ribbed up-and-over garage door is included as standard, with enhanced locking, and an electrically operated version is available as an option. If you expect to use the main door several times every day, electric operation is one upgrade I would certainly consider.

You also get a 3ft wide anthracite steel personal door with multi-point locking. That means you can enter the garage to collect tools, bicycles or gardening equipment without opening the vehicle door every time.

Natural Light Is Included

A 4ft wide fixed PVCu window is included as standard, with opening windows available as an option. Natural light is easy to overlook when planning a garage, but it becomes much more important if you intend to use the building for DIY, hobbies or as a workshop as well as for parking.

I would plan the position of windows, doors, shelving and workbenches together. A little thought at the ordering stage can make the internal space much easier to use once the garage is erected.

Choosing the Right Size

The Anthracite Mansard Pent is available from 8ft 6in to 20ft 6in wide and from 14ft 3in to 24ft 3in long, with internal dimensions normally around 6in less than the quoted external building size.

My advice is to think beyond the dimensions of the car. Allow room for opening doors, walking around the vehicle and anything else you expect to store. Bikes, tools, freezers, garden machinery and shelving soon consume spare space, so a little extra room can be very useful if your site allows it.

A Useful Height for Many Locations

The wall height is approximately 2.00m, rising to approximately 2.495m at the highest point. That sub-2.5m overall height can be useful when considering where the garage will sit on your property.

However, I would never advise assuming that a particular height automatically means planning permission or Building Regulations approval is unnecessary. Requirements depend on factors including location, size and intended use, so always check the current position with your local planning authority before proceeding.

Get the Base Right Before Installation

A good garage needs a good foundation. Your concrete base must be prepared to the correct dimensions and needs to be flat, square and level before the erection team arrives. Suitable access is also required between the delivery vehicle and the garage position.

Professional fitting is included subject to the applicable delivery conditions and correct base preparation. If you need assistance with the groundwork, our base and additional building services explain the help we can provide.

Mansard Pent or Standard Anthracite Pent?

If you are choosing between the two, I would ask yourself how important the front appearance is. The standard Anthracite Deluxe Pent gives you the clean, straightforward profile of a mono-pitch garage. The Mansard Pent adds the raised pantile-effect frontage and consequently has more visual presence.

If the garage will be tucked away and appearance is secondary, the simpler Pent may be all you need. If it faces the driveway, house or road and you want the building to make more of an architectural statement, I think the Mansard version earns its place on the shortlist.

10-Year Transferable Structural Guarantee

The Anthracite Mansard Pent includes a 10-year structural guarantee which is transferable if you move home, subject to the manufacturer’s terms. When buying a substantial building intended to remain in place for many years, I think proper manufacturer backing should always form part of the buying decision.

Why You Can Rely on My Experience

I’m Robin Antill, founder of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, and I have worked with garden buildings since starting Marina Sheds in 1979. Over the years I 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. One thing those years have taught me is that practical requirements should come first, but that doesn’t mean appearance is unimportant. A large garage can have a considerable visual impact on your property. You can read more about Robin Antill and the history of 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.

Come and Look at the Buildings Properly

Photographs are useful, but garages are substantial buildings and I think there is real value in seeing representative examples before ordering. You can get a much better impression of the concrete panels, doors, roof construction and finishes when you see them at full size.

You can visit our Surrey garden building display site near Guildford and Woking, where you can inspect representative Lidget buildings and discuss the different specifications with us.

Is the Anthracite Mansard Pent Right for You?

I think this model makes most sense when three things matter to you: you want the practicality of a single-slope roof, you like contemporary anthracite detailing and the appearance of the front elevation is important.

If you don’t particularly want the Mansard frontage, I would look at the standard Anthracite Deluxe Pent instead. Equally, if you want a traditional roof with two full slopes meeting at a central ridge, an Apex model is likely to be the better direction. Choosing between them should be about finding the design that suits your site rather than simply choosing the model with the longest list of features.

What Is a Mansard Pent Garage?

This Lidget design combines a practical single-slope main roof with a raised decorative pantile-effect treatment across the front. It gives the garage a more distinctive frontage without changing the main roof into a conventional Apex design.

What Is Included with the Anthracite Mansard Pent?

Standard equipment includes a black ribbed up-and-over garage door, anthracite steel personal door, 4ft PVCu fixed window, real brick front posts, PVCu guttering and downpipes, galvanised steel main roof with anti-condensation lining and professional fitting, subject to the applicable conditions.

How High Is the Garage?

The concrete wall height is approximately 2.00m and the building rises to approximately 2.495m at its highest point. Always check whether planning permission or other approval is required for your particular property and proposed position.

Can I Have an Electric Garage Door?

Yes. An electrically operated main garage door is available as an option. This can be particularly convenient if the garage is used regularly for vehicle parking.

Is Professional Installation Included?

Yes. Full erection and fitting are included subject to the applicable delivery area, suitable access and a correctly prepared flat, square and level concrete base.

A Final Word From Robin

For me, the reason to choose the Lidget Anthracite Mansard Pent is the way it combines two quite different ideas. Behind the front elevation you have the straightforward practicality of a single-slope garage roof, while the pantile-effect Mansard frontage and dark anthracite detailing give the building considerably more character from the driveway. If you like the Anthracite Pent but want something with a little more presence, this is the version I would look at. If you would like help deciding whether it suits your site, please get in touch and we will be happy to talk through the options.