A Guide To Types Of Toilet

Toilets come in a variety of different shapes, sizes and types and range from a traditional close coupled design through to a modern wall mounted design. There are so many options available that it can be difficult to understand the technical terms used to describe different toilet designs. To help, we have written this guide to make it easier to understand the different types of toilet:

Choosing the right toilet for your bathroom

There are lots of different types of toilets available that it can be difficult to know which the best one is for your bathroom. Before purchasing a toilet you should ask yourself the following questions to help decide what type of toilet you need:

• Decide if you want a one piece toilet (where the toilet is a single unit) or a two piece toilet (where the toilet bowl and cistern are 2 separate units)
• Decide if you want a standard round toilet bowl or an extended bowl which is bigger to allow more seating room for added comfort
• Consider the height of the bowl; the rim of standard bowls stand at about 14 / 15 inches above the floor, but some  toilets stand higher at 17 -19 inches above the floor. Some people find these higher toilets more comfortable to use
• Select the type of toilet you want, for example; wall mounted, back to wall or close coupled
• Try to ensure that the toilet design suits your bathroom decor, for example; a close coupled toilet looks great in a traditional bathroom and a wall mounted toilet looks great in a contemporary bathroom

Here we take a closer look at the advantages of each of the different type of toilet available:

Close coupled toilet

These are the most popular type of toilet and are available in many different shapes and styles. A closed coupled toilet (also known as a two piece design) consists of two separate parts; the bowl and the cistern. The cistern sits directly on the top of the bowl and usually has a flush button on top.

Closed back toilet

A closed back toilet is similar to a close coupled toilet only it sits right against the wall which gives it a cleaner finish as all pipe work is concealed. These toilets can help to save space in a bathroom and are very easy to keep clean as there are no hidden areas.

Back to wall toilet

The back to wall toilet is perfect for more contemporary bathrooms as it helps to create a stylish and modern feel. The cistern part of the toilet is hidden in the wall behind the toilet or in a furniture unit. A flush plate usually sits above the toilet to provide access to the cistern. These toilets provide a clever way of increasing space in a bathroom and they can be cheaper to install than wall mounted toilets as no wall support is needed.

Wall mounted toilet

A wall mounted toilet is well suited to a contemporary bathroom as it gives a modern and stylish feel. With a wall mounted toilet the cistern is hidden in the wall behind the toilet or in a furniture unit. A flush plate usually sits above the toilet to allow access to the cistern. The difference between a back to wall and a wall mounted toilet is that a wall mounted toilet is attached to the wall by a strong frame to support it and store the cistern; while a wall mounted toilet can usually be fitted to any wall. This type of toilet also provides a clever way of increasing space in a bathroom.

Comfort height toilet          

Comfort height toilets are slightly taller than standard toilets. Some groups of people feel a taller toilet makes them more comfortable and this can include people who are tall, the elderly or the disabled who may not find sitting down and getting up easy.

Corner toilets

Corner toilets fit into corners and can provide a solution to odd shaped bathrooms where the layout is tricky and are also great for small bathrooms where space is limited.

There are many different types of toilet available. It is a good idea to go and view them at your local showroom or the Bathroom Showroom Southampton to see which would best suit your home.