The toilet seat is sold as a set in most cases. The main reasons for replacing this delicate part of the restroom are a breakdown or inconsistency with the individual preferences of the owners of the bathroom.
What to consider when choosing?
If you are confused about choosing a toilet seat, there are several factors to consider when buying:
- shape;
- the size;
- material;
- hygiene;
- mount;
- color and decorative elements;
- cost;
- additional functions.
The choice of shade is determined primarily design solution - no detail should be out of the general concept. The price is also clear - everyone is guided by their own financial opportunities. But the rest of the nuances should be studied in more detail before heading to the plumbing store.
The form
The toilet is a product for frequent use, and therefore it should be as convenient as possible. Comfortable use still takes precedence over the aesthetic component.
Universal shape the seat is considered an oval and smooth design, which is closest to the anatomical. You should not choose overly intricate devices with a complex relief or porous structure. In hard-to-reach places, even with regular hygienic processing, not only unpleasant odors will accumulate, but also bacteria and infections that are dangerous to the health of households.
Perhaps, the main criterion when choosing is the conformity of the shape of the toilet bowl with the shape of the seat. Don't try to match square with round or oval. Such a design will be extremely unstable and will quickly become unusable, and even when using it, discomfort cannot be avoided.
Material
Plumbing stores offer their customers an extensive range of toilet seats. Most often, this delicate interior detail is made of plastics - cheap, but not very durable material. Since the toilet seat is subjected to a certain load almost daily, it is still advisable to choose a material that is more reliable.
However, even a plastic product can last long enough, it all depends on its quality and thickness. In addition to savings, the undoubted advantage of the plastic version is the variety of colors and designs.
Duroplast Is another popular material for toilet seats. In fact, this is the same plastic, but it looks more presentable, as it looks like ceramics. The price for duroplast is higher, but the costs are quite justified, because the service life of such a product is quite long.
Seats covered with foam and water-repellent fabric, create maximum usability, especially in unheated rooms, and are quite aesthetically pleasing. However, this option is not practical or economical. Any scratch not only spoils the appearance of the product, but also complicates further processing.
Plywood products are rare and do not fit into every bathroom interior. The wooden surface must be perfectly flat and covered with a special water-repellent compound. One of the most significant advantages of plywood over other materials is environmental friendliness.
It should also be borne in mind that there are materials that need special treatment, some of them are more whimsical to the use of detergents and cleaning agents. Strong preparations with a high content of acid, chlorine and other active substances are unlikely to be suitable for treating a toilet seat and lid made of wood, plastic or fabric, leather cover.
Fastening
The material not only of the seat itself, but also of its fasteners, which must be included in the kit, should be chosen correctly … On sale you can find plastic, nylon
or metal (most often brass) version. The fixing kit usually includes a nut and a screw. Sometimes manufacturers supplement it with a decorative cap.
Basic fixing recommendation: parts must be as strong as possible, since they are considered the guarantor of the long operational life of the product. Plastic, unlike metal, does not meet the requirements of reliability, and therefore it is not worth choosing this kind of fastening.
In addition, the fasteners must be long enough for you to be able to adjust.
Additional functions
There are seats for people with disabilities, they have armrests, and soft construction … For children, toilet seats are provided with a smaller diameter than standard ones. Both options can be installed on the main seat.
Other additional features include backlight, heating, microlift, providing smooth lowering, automatic lifting.
How to choose the right seat size?
The most important thing in choosing a toilet seat is not to be mistaken with its size, so this aspect is highlighted in the article. Before purchasing a product, be sure to take the following measurements of the toilet:
- distance from the front to the middle of the mounting holes (length);
- edge-to-edge distance at its widest point (width);
- the distance between the centers of the two mounting holes.
Measuring the dimensions of the plumbing equipment will allow you to quickly navigate the store. To be sure, you can also prepare a template in advance by tracing the surface of the toilet bowl on a sheet of thick cardboard with a pencil. The photo is less informative, but it will also help in choosing.
It is not necessary for measurements to be accurate to the millimeter, such a slight difference does not matter. But you shouldn't rely on chance either.
Toilet seat manufacturers often stick to standard dimensions. So, the width of the product can be:
- 35.8 cm;
- 36.0 cm;
- 36.4 cm;
- 37.8 cm.
By length, the most common options are:
- 43.8 cm;
- 45.0 cm;
- 45.3 cm;
- 46.0 cm.
The length between the axes of the hole is usually as follows:
- 14.6 cm;
- 15.5 cm;
- 17.7 cm;
- 22.0 cm.
Above are the common toilet seat sizes, which can be found easily at almost any plumbing store. However, even in standard dimensions there is a significant discrepancy, therefore, it is not recommended to purchase a product without individual preliminary measurements.
Useful Tips
In addition to the recommendations already outlined regarding the choice of a toilet seat, there are at least 9 more important nuances that should not be neglected
- When measuring the dimensions under the toilet seat, keep in mind that it should be possible to adjust the fasteners. Choose models with longer screws.
- When choosing a model with a cover, pay attention to the fact that the latter fits snugly against the seat. Otherwise, the product will quickly fail.
- Silicone or rubber dots under the base of the toilet prevent the plastic "seat" from sliding.
- The mechanical closer allows you to avoid touching the toilet after the appropriate procedures.
- Seats with soft fillings, such as foam rubber, need to be replaced in time, as they absorb moisture and become a source of infections and odors.
- Complete with a porcelain or stone lid, there should be rubber seals installed from the inside between the base of the toilet bowl and the nut.
- Be sure to check the entire kit in the store immediately before purchasing: whether all parts are in place, whether they are not damaged in any way.
- Do not screw the seat to the toilet too tightly, this can cause the lid to fall off at the most crucial moment, causing discomfort and irritation.
- Before installation, metal fasteners should be treated with a special anti-corrosion compound.
If your toilet is equipped with a standard toilet, which does not differ in the complexity of shapes and design, then it will not be difficult to choose the right lid and seat for it. But for in search of original models, you will have to go to branded plumbing stores or even make an individual order.