9 Tips to know before choosing a new toilet suite
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, choosing the right toilet suite can be a tricky task. With so many designs and features on offer, it’s important to consider your needs and home environment before you go shopping. Here are nine tips to help you choose the best toilet suites at Fontaine Industries:
Consider your space
Measure the space you are looking to install a toilet in and keep in mind that there will be about 10 centimeters around each side of the toilet suite for cleaning purposes. If you have a small bathroom, think about whether a wall-hung toilet suite is right for you; they are great space savers and can help reduce the amount of cleaning required.
Think about style
Your choice of toilet suite should complement your overall bathroom design. Whether your taste is modern or traditional, there’s a range of styles available to suit every home, including vitreous China and ceramic toilets in white, black or grey finishes. If you want to add some glamour and elegance to your bathroom, there are also suites featuring soft close seats with chrome plated hinges, durable Vitreous China materials and stylish gloss white finishes.
Measure up
Make sure you have plenty of space in front of the toilet seat and that there’s enough room to fit the cistern on top of the pan. Some people like to make changes to their bathroom layout at renovation time, but this can sometimes be quite costly and time-consuming. If you’re looking for an easy way to get a different look in your bathroom, try changing the color scheme or the fittings. This can often make all the difference without breaking your budget.
Choose an appropriate style
If you’ve got a traditional bathroom, look for something with a more traditional design like a close-coupled or high-level WC. If you’ve got a contemporary bathroom, then opt for something more modern like a back-to-wall pan or wall-hung suite. The style of your toilet will largely depend on the existing bathroom decor and layout. Many bathrooms are designed with toilets existing on one side of the room, but some bathrooms have the toilet located in a separate room. Often when renovating, owners keep their existing layout as it is as this is often the easiest option.
Comfort
The first thing you should consider when choosing a new toilet is how comfortable it is to use. Toilets are built in different shapes and sizes and it’s important to choose one that suits your body type and posture.
Design
Toilet designs range from traditional styles to wall-hung toilets and designer models. Some toilets also come with a seat that can be raised or lowered for comfort or have a wash let bidet function for ultimate hygiene.
Water efficiency
Water usage is an important consideration for the environment and your power bill too. Consider the water usage of your existing toilet by checking the sticker on the cistern (if there’s no sticker, check with your local council).
Flushing mechanism
Different types of flushing mechanisms are available from dual flush technology to buttons, levers and chain pull mechanisms or foot pedals. Each has their pros and cons so make sure you choose one that works best for you as well as being aesthetically pleasing in your bathroom space.
Choose the best location for your new toilet suite
The most common location for a toilet suite is in the bathroom next to a sink and shower or bathtub. However, there are also wall-hung toilets that can be installed outside of bathrooms in hallways or adjoining rooms like laundries or powder rooms. If you’re installing an internal toilet in one of these areas, make sure it’s close enough to plumbing fixtures so that it can be easily connected.
