Toilets 101: Types, Styles, and Flush Mechanisms

In the realm of home essentials, few items are as essential as the humble toilet. Often overlooked, this item is crucial for our daily comfort, cleanliness, and convenience. In this guide, we’ll unpack the essential considerations to help you find the perfect throne for your bathroom haven.

Understanding the Basics: Key Parts of a Toilet

Let’s start with the essentials. A standard toilet consists of four main parts:

1. The drain pipe

The pipe that connects a toilet to the plumbing system. This pipe is responsible for carrying waste and wastewater from the toilet bowl to the septic system.

2. The cistern, water tank or toilet systems

Responsible for storing and supplying water for flushing.

3. The flushing mechanism

Responsible for starting the flushing process, either a button, lever or a chain.

4. The toilet bowl and seat

Flush Away: Exploring Toilet Flushing Systems

Behind the simple act of flushing is innovation, focused on optimizing water use, improving efficiency, and reducing environmental harm.

Dual Flush:

This eco-friendly option lets you choose between a low-volume flush and a higher-volume flush, depending on your needs.

Double Cyclone:

A tornado-like action that efficiently flushes using less water for a powerful yet water-conserving flush.

Pressure-Assisted:

Image credit: The bathroom blueprint

Ideal for commercial use. This system uses air to make flushing stronger and prevent clogs in bathrooms.

Gravity Flush:

The most common type, using the force of gravity to move water from the tank to the bowl for a reliable flush.

Flushing Mechanisms: Choosing Your Flush Style

Button Flush:

Simple and functional, a dual-flush system activated by buttons on the tank.

Lever or Chain Flush:

The classic method, with a handle or chain to initiate the flush.

Flush Plate:

Mounted on the wall for a sleek and modern alternative to traditional flushing mechanisms.

Touchless Flush:

Wave goodbye to germs with a hands-free sensor, promoting a hygienic bathroom experience.

The Seat of Comfort: Choosing the Perfect Toilet Seat

Toilet seats play a crucial role in your bathroom experience. From standard designs to luxurious options, consider factors like comfort, durability, and aesthetics.

Standard toilet seats:

The basic and most common type, typically made of molded wood or plastic. It comes in various shapes, including round and elongated, to fit different bowl designs.

Soft close toilet seats:

Made with a hinge mechanism that allows the seat and lid to close slowly and quietly, preventing slamming. This also minimizes wear and tear.

Padded toilet seats:

Covered with a layer of foam or vinyl padding for extra comfort. Padded seats are a softer option compared to standard hard seats. This option is ideal for seniors or individuals with haemorrhoids.

Heated toilet seats:

Equipped with a heating element to provide warmth and comfort, especially during colder seasons. This type of seat is often adjustable to suit individual preferences.

Styles Galore: Finding the Right Toilet Design

Toilet style options include: a single-piece or a two-piece, wall-hung or floor-mounted, and a high-level or low-level configuration. Let’s examine these options:

Two-piece toilet:

The most commonly used toilet design. This design separates the tank and bowl.

One-piece toilet:

Sleek and modern, this design integrates the tank and bowl into a single unit. This design makes cleaning a breeze with no hard to reach areas. This toilet set is ideal for smaller bathrooms.

Wall-hung toilet:

Mounted to the wall, this style creates a minimalist look with the toilet cistern or water tank installed behind the wall. These are also ideal for smaller bathrooms and offer easy cleaning, as well as easy floor cleaning.

Floor-mounted toilet:

The classic choice, this design securely anchors the toilet to the floor.

High-level toilet:

Vintage charm meets functionality with the cistern mounted high on the wall. These toilets feature a long flush pipe with a long pull chain flush for a unique aesthetic.

Low-level toilet:

Similar to the high-level toilet design, but with the cistern positioned at a lower level. Many people often associate this design with vintage style bathrooms. The exposure of the cistern and flush mechanism makes maintaining and repairing easier.

The Bidet Revolution: Elevating Your Toilet Experience

For those seeking the pinnacle of cleanliness and comfort, consider the bidet toilet. This toilet design has a bidet feature with adjustable water pressure, temperature control, and air drying. It combines traditional functions with luxury. Though initially more expensive, the bidet toilet enhances personal cleanliness and contemporary luxury.

Enhancing Aesthetics: Exploring Toilet Colours

A black toilet can add a touch of sophistication, making a bold statement in your bathroom. Whether you choose classic white, bold black, or a unique colour, the colour of your toilet can change the entire look of your bathroom. Consider the mood and style you want to create when exploring the palette of toilet colours to match your bathroom.

Before You Choose: Considerations for Your Perfect Toilet

Before settling on the perfect toilet for your bathroom, consider these factors:

Firstly, think about the size of the toilet and how it fits within the available space. Consider the layout of your bathroom to optimize space and ensure easy movement. Evaluate the plumbing setup needs, making sure that the selected toilet aligns with your current plumbing infrastructure.

Environmental factors come into play. Consider whether you’re looking for a toilet that helps save water, reducing both your environmental footprint and water costs.

Think about the installation requirements and whether you’ll need a professional to assist. Consider the long-term aspects of maintenance and cleaning. The design is equally essential, as it contributes to the overall aesthetic of your bathroom. Find the balance between comfort, style and price.

Finding the right toilet is a blend of practical considerations and personal preferences. Once you consider all the above, choosing the perfec

t toilet will be a breeze! Remember, your bathroom, your rules – pick a toilet that not only suits your needs but also enhances your daily routine.