In the last several years, the humble toilet has undergone a major style makeover. Sleek new designs, hidden cisterns, and water efficiency are just some of the features you need to keep in mind when choosing from the vast array of toilet suites for your home. To make your decision-making easier, it pays to know your budget in advance as well as to be clear about the style you prefer. Then, it’s all a matter of choosing a model that complements the rest of your fittings. To help you out in your pursuit of finding the ideal model for you, I put together a comprehensive list of the different types of toilet suites and their distinct features.
A Close Coupled Toilet Suite
A close-coupled toilet is one where the cistern (the part that holds the water used to flush the toilet) is attached to the toilet bowl. As opposed to a link suit toilet, there is no visible pipe. Pipes aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing and are harder to scrub clean than a flat surface. In this type of toilet, the pan (which is the part of the toilet you sit on) is attached directly to the cistern. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, it is good to know that this is one of the more affordable types of toilet suites. Their best feature is the fact that they are the easiest to replace.
A Wall-Faced Toilet Suite
Unlike a close coupled toilet suite, the cistern of a wall faced toilet is not attached to the pan. This means that the cistern can be hidden inside the wall, or placed above the pan. When the cistern is installed inside the wall, there is usually a button or a sensor installed to flush the toilet. With close coupled toilets, there can be a gap between the wall and the cistern, but this is not the case with wall faced toilet suites. In terms of decorating your bathroom, they have a more modern look. Close-coupled toilet suites are the ideal addition to vintage style bathrooms.
A Floor Pan Toilet Suite
A floor pan toilet is a wall faced type where the cistern is installed in a wall. It is fixed and stable – there are no ugly pipes above the toilet bowl, and most importantly, there is no bulky cistern. It offers a more compact and minimalist look which is definitely a plus if you prefer a stylish and contemporary bathroom. It costs a bit more to get that luxurious look, however, it has its advantages. Due to its design, a floor pan toilet suite is very easy to clean. On the outside, there are just a few flat surfaces with easy access for scrubbing.
A Wall Hung Toilet Suite
This type of toilet offers all the advantages from the aforementioned ones, and then some! A wall hung toilet suite is exactly that – a toilet hung on the bathroom wall. The cistern is also hidden inside the wall, and there are buttons or a sensor installed on the outside so that you can flush. It is the smallest type of toilet you can find – it’s perfect for small, cramped bathrooms. You have easy access to the top, bottom or sides of the bowl, so cleaning this toilet is no hassle. The biggest plus is probably the fact that you won’t have to measure the height of the pan. You decide on your own where it will be hung so that it meets your needs best. This type of toilet suite is a good fit for everyone as it can be placed higher or lower on the wall. It is also a good option for wheelchair users, as the bowl doesn’t reach the floor. Wall hung toilets are also on the pricier side, but the advantages they offer make them worthwhile.
A Rimless Toilet Suite
This one is a rather new design. The popularity of the rimless toilet suite is due to the many advantages that it offers. When it comes to the cleanliness of the bathroom, having a toilet with a rim just gives you one more thing to worry about. A lot of dirt and bacteria can be found under the rim, which is not exactly easy to reach as it is a small and narrow space. If your brush doesn’t reach the end of the rim, chances are, it will stay dirty. If grime builds up, your bathroom will have a funky smell whose source you might not initially be aware of. Out of sight, out of mind, right? To avoid this bothersome chore altogether, the best solution is to get a rimless toilet suite. That way, the bowl will be easier to clean and bacteria won’t be able to hide under every nook and cranny in your bathroom.