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Types of Toilet: Toilet Buying Guide

Types of Toilet: Toilet Buying Guide

There are several different types of toilet you can choose from, depending on your style and requirements. In this article we look at the different types of toilet and explain some of the jargon you’ll come across when choosing your own new toilet.

 

BTW or BACK-TO-WALL TOILET

The toilet cistern is concealed behind the pan within a piece of furniture, unit or false wall. This can create a useful shelf behind the pan.

 

FULLY BACK-TO-WALL TOILET

The back of the pan fits flush against the wall, giving your bathroom an elegant, modern look whilst concealing the unsightly waste pipes and water inlets from view.

 

OPEN BACK TOILET

An open back pan will allow for a side-entry waste pipe as no concealed wall is in the way during installation. This configuration is suited for pipework which doesn’t come directly from behind the pan.

 

CC or CLOSE-COUPLED TOILET

The cistern is fitted directly to the pan so that it becomes a complete unit, avoiding the need for visible connection pipes. Close-coupled toilets come in a range of styles and do not require external or hidden plumbing or pipework.

 

WALL HUNG TOILET

The pan hangs on a sturdy metal frame and is suspended above the floor. The water for flushing is supplied by a concealed cistern. Great for easy-access cleaning.

 

CORNER TOILET

Corner toilets are designed to fit snugly into the corner of your bathroom. They make maximum use of space, particularly where space is limited.

 

DUAL FLUSH

Dual flushes help to make your cistern more efficient, reducing water usage by up to 50% which will save you money and help the planet. A dual flush button has two halves, so you can select a full or a half flush to save water.

 

WATER-SAVING TOILET

An eco-friendly option, water saving toilets feature a dual flush cistern, which gives you the option of using a full or reduced flush. A full flush uses approximately 6 litres of water, whereas a reduced flush uses around 3 litres.

 

RIMLESS TOILET

The toilet pan does not have a rim thus making the whole surface easy to clean and reduce the build-up of germs.

 

REDUCED SHORT PROJECTION TOILET

A reduced or a short projection toilet means that it has a shorter depth than standard, and therefore does not protrude as far, taking up less floor space. A short projection toilet is ideal for a small bathroom or cloakroom suite.

 

COMFORT HEIGHT TOILET

Comfort height toilets feature pans that are lower, usually about 17” to 19” instead of the standard 15”. The higher pan height can be good for the tall, elderly and those with mobility problems.

 

LOW LEVEL TOILET

Low level toilets are perfect if you’re looking for a more traditional bathroom style. A low-level toilet is where the cistern is fitted at a low level to the wall and connected to the pan by a flush pipe. The toilet is operated by a traditional lever flush. A low level toilet must be fitted to a solid wall.

 

HIGH LEVEL TOILET

High level toilets are another traditional bathroom choice. The cistern is fitted at a high level and connected to the pan by a long flush pipe. The toilet is operated by a long pull chain. Again, high level toilets require a solid wall behind for safe fixing.

 

Toilet buying guide

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