Toilet Buying Guide

Everything you need to know before buying a toilet

Toilets are not just for function, they must also look attractive. Match your toilet to the style of your bathroom.

Toilets are usually made of porcelain or china.

The size of your room will affect your choice of toilet. For example, if you are buying for a cloakroom bathroom, you’ll need a more compact type of toilet. However, if you have a more spacious bathroom, you have many options to choose from.

Toilets use a considerable amount of water, so why not opt for a duel-push button toilet. This is a system that allows you to flush normally with one button, and the other flushes less to save water.

Some toilets now come with a Rimless Pan. This is where the pan is smooth and doesn’t have that extra lip inside the edge. This reduces grime and bacteria build-up, making your bathroom more hygienic.

Make sure to check when buying a toilet that you have everything you need, as toilet seats and cisterns may need to be purchased separately. An advisor will be able to help you with any questions you may have at Gardiner Haskins Interiors.

Types of Toilets

There are multiple toilet designs to choose from, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. They also compliment different styles of bathroom, so think carefully before you purchase.

• Close-Coupled – This is the most standard type of toilet and the cheapest. The cistern sits directly on top of the pan which is fixed to the floor, with the cistern being attached to the wall. It is called close-coupled because the pan and cistern are ‘close’ together. This type of toilet can come in modern or traditional styles. Often the opened back ones are more traditional. You can also get “fully shrouded” toilets, they are the same except they fully sit against the wall and you can’t see any piping. This makes for a more modern, streamlined look and makes them easier to clean.
• Wall Hung – These toilets are suspended from the wall, via a metal frame. The cistern is concealed behind a panel or false wall. These toilets are the ultimate modern statement. They give the illusion of floating and an abundance of space. They can also hold up to 63 stone of weight!
• Low Level – This toilets consist of a floor mounted pan connected to a low-level cistern by a short flush pipe. These give the ultimate traditional look whilst not taking up as much space as the High-Level cisterns.
• High Level – This toilet also consists of a floor mounted pan connected to a high mounted cistern by a long flush pipe. The flush is operated by a pull chain. These traditional-looking toilets are often adorned with flamboyant detail, bevelled edges, wooden seats and ceramic handles.
• Back-To-Wall – This toilet cistern is concealed within a furniture unit or wall. The pan is floor mounted. These toilets are perfect if you have fitted furniture in your bathroom.

Need more advice and expertise on your bathroom designs? Visit our Bristol Bathroom Showroom where our experts can help you create your new bespoke bathroom with our Planning & Design Service 

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