When someone begins looking for a new toilet, whether replacing an existing one or selecting for a new house or bathroom, the most common response is “I can’t believe how many different options there are, where do I start”. That is a fair response given sheer number of different styles, setups, set out, entry points and then the finally the aesthetic design.
There is no doubt for the necessity in everyone’s life for a toilet. And now it is not just a toilet, but a centre piece of the bathroom, with water saving technology, soft closing lid, easy to clean design and sheer craftsmanship.
Let’s start with the basics:
WALL FACED TOILET SUITE
The wall faced or ‘back to wall toilet suite’ sits flush against the bathroom wall concealing all pipe work. These toilet suites are modern and discreet, easy to clean and complement a contemporary styled bathroom.
CLOSE COUPLED TOILET SUITE
The close coupled toilet suite is popular in mid-range bathroom renovations. The cistern sits directly on top of the toilet pan, offering tidy lines and easy cleaning.
LINK TOILET SUITES
The link toilet suite features a separate pan and cistern linked by a pipe that can be exposed or concealed by a plastic “link piece”. Link toilet suites are functional allowing the distance between the pan and the cistern to be adjusted during installation – often used in replacement renovations.
CONCEALED CISTERN
The wall-hung toilet pan is discreet and stylish. Mounted to a bracket in the wall, it takes up less space than a traditional unit and with an in-wall cistern, provides a clean, uncluttered appearance in your bathroom. The wall hung toilet pan saves space and is easier to clean.
The wall faced toilet pan sits flush against the bathroom wall. Sleek and unobtrusive the in-wall cistern and all the pipe work are concealed within the bathroom wall. These toilet pans are easy to clean and complement a contemporary styled bathroom.
The in-wall cistern is a tank that houses the water required to flush a toilet. It is concealed inside the bathroom wall, so you only see the flush buttons. Slim-line cisterns are exposed and installed using existing connections and drains, creating a harmonious interaction.
Concealed cisterns feature push plates that are integral to their functioning. Push plates help create stylish bathrooms and are available in a wide range of models catering to all preferences and requirements.
Important Setup & Specifications
SET-OUT
Set-out When choosing a toilet, it’s important to first establish the “set-out” required. The “set-out” is the distance from the wall to the centre of the waste outlet (for S-trap toilet pans where the waste is in the floor). The set-out can vary greatly depending on the age of the house. Most new homes will have a standard set-out of about 140-165mm, which will enable most toilet suites on the market to be installed. However, if the set-out is more than 200mm or less than 100mm, it will limit your choice in the type of toilet you buy. So, first check the set-out, then take the advice of the sales staff on the type of suite which best suits your needs.
STYLE
Toilet suites come in a variety of styles. A close-coupled suite is one where the pan and the cistern are fully integrated to form one complete unit. There is little or no flexibility to vary the set-out. On the other hand, a “link suite” is one where the cistern and the pan are linked only by the flush pipe and by a plastic plate to conceal the flush pipe. The “link suite” therefore enables greater flexibility – the pan can be moved forwards or backwards to accommodate an unusual set out. Back-to-wall suites have clean lines which disguise traps. All new toilet suites sold in Australia must have a water saving rating. They should deliver no more than 6 litres of water on full flush and 3 litres on half flush. But most modern toilets are even more efficient, delivering as little as 4.5 litres on full flush.
TRAPS Traps Pans come in what’s called S-trap or P-trap. S-trap pans have the waste outlet in the floor, and are common in most Australian houses. P-trap pans have the waste outlet in the wall, and are most often used in high-rise buildings, hotels etc. Wall-hung pans are bolted to the wall and have a clearance underneath them.
CISTERNS
Cisterns Cisterns come in a range of styles and prices – from all china to plastic. You might also consider having a concealed cistern, which means it is placed in the wall and covered with a panel. Don’t forget, however, that you must allow access to this panel if you are installing a concealed cistern – just in case something goes wrong!
Cisterns also have what’s called a bottom or top (back) inlet This means the water enters the cistern at its base, usually from an outlet on the wall, or it enters the cistern at the top, via a specially designed hole at the back, so that it is concealed from view. Make sure your plumber knows whether you are installing a top or bottom inlet cistern, or you could find your water line is in the wrong place!