Marley concrete garages first came into production in the 1950s. Prior to this, garages were often constructed from wood, asbestos, corrugated iron, or galvanised steel.  Compton Garages emerged as a competitor to Marley, offering similar prefabricated concrete garages.

Prefabricated concrete garages offered several advantages
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• Durability: Concrete is a strong and weatherproof material, perfect for protecting a car from the elements.
• Quick Assembly: Marley’s garages were pre-fabricated, meaning they could be erected quickly and efficiently on-site.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Concrete was a relatively inexpensive material compared to alternatives, making these garages accessible to a wider audience.

​The popularity of Marley and Compton garages began to wane in the latter half of the 20th century. This was in part due to the rise of new materials. Metal and timber frames with various cladding options provided a wider range of garage styles at potentially lower costs. Marley stopped production in the 1980s and later Compton merged with Lidget concrete and became Lidget Compton.
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A challenge for existing concrete garages is roof replacement. There can be two main issues

1. Asbestos Garage Roofing 
Many Marley and Compton garage roofs are constructed with asbestos sheeting, a material now known to be hazardous. Over time the garage roofs will start to decay and need replacing. Unfortunately, replacement of this type of roof requires specialised training and disposal methods due to the health risks associated with asbestos. Finding a qualified contractor specialising in asbestos garage roof removal and replacement is crucial to ensure the work is done safely and adheres to all government regulations.

Garage Roof Scotland is an expert in this type of roof replacement. We are a SEPA registered company (registration no. WCR/R/110596). This is important because it means that we are licensed to handle and dispose of asbestos safely.

2. Concrete Roof Beams
Marley garages usually have concrete beams. Unfortunately it’s not possible to attach new roof sheets to existing concrete beams. At Garage Roof Scotland, we would leave the concrete beams in place to support the structure and attach new treated timber beams. We would then replace the garage roof with full length corrugated steel plastisol sheets with a fleece underlay to help reduce condensation and provide an attractive internal finish. We would also fit steel plastisol fascias to match. 
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While perhaps the dominance of Marley and Lidget Compton garages has waned, these sturdy structures continue to provide shelter for vehicles right across Scotland.  As long as they are kept watertight and repair work is carried out by a reputable company, such as Garage Roof Scotland, they should remain a real asset to homeowners for many years to come.


​If you have a Marley or Compton garage and the roof needs replaced or you would like the whole garage removed, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Garage Roof Scotland. We are proud of the fact that much of our work comes via word of mouth recommendations from satisfied customers and our fantastic customer testimonials speak for themselves.