Choosing the right toilet seat
Choosing The Right Toilet Seat.
We look at how to choose the best seat for your toilet.
Choosing a new toilet seat can be confusing, as you are confronted with rows and rows of white, hinged plastic seats that at first glance, can be bafflingly similar. However, the right toilet seat can raise the look of your bathroom suite, and should not be thought of any differently as any piece of decor. We are going to look at the three things you should take into account when choosing a new toilet seat, and how they help you get the look you desire.
1. Shape and Size
Toilets come in different shapes and sizes, and to find the right seat you have to work out what shape and size your pan is.
Most commonly, toilet seats come as round or oval shapes, but square design toilet seats are also popular. You should be able to tell simply by looking which shape your toilet pan is, and it always best to match your toilet seat with the shape of your pan. Also - you may notice that some toilet seats feature 'wrap around' design - this means the lip of the toilet seat fits down over the pan, to create a smooth, contemporary shape.
To get the perfect fit we recommend you take the following measurements:
- Fixing centre distance - the point between the two fixing holes of your toilet.
- Width at widest point - the width of your toilet pan at it’s widest point
- Total depth - The distance your toilet pan sticks out from the wall or cistern
2. Hinges
These fit onto your fixing centres.
There are two options for hinges, and please be aware that not all hinges are suitable for all toilets. A top fixing hinge works by feeding two bolts into the toilet pan. A bottom fixing is a more traditional style fixing, with two bolts that fit down into your pan and are then tightened from underneath. Top fixing hinges are used when there is no access to the bottom of the pan, like in some back to wall toilets, or modern one-piece style toilets.
Also available are quick release hinges that let you easily remove the seat and lid from the pan, making the job of cleaning the toilet much easier, and Soft Close hinges that feature a hygienic, slow release system that cuts out any annoying slamming noises. We recommend soft close toilet seats for that added touch of luxury that we are sure you will love.
3. Material and Finish
Your choice of toilet seat is a great opportunity to pull your look together into a cohesive whole. There are also antibacterial finishes available, for those who want an extra hygienic boost - these are finished with a material that provides an added layer of protection and peace of mind.
Don't forget, you can always make a statement with a stylish seat, for example one printed with a design, or a bright colour. There are also a number of special wood materials and finishes, we see these used most often in traditionally-inspired bathrooms, with a high-end look - a deep mahogany fits the luxurious, traditional look, while beech retains the same quality, but has a much lighter, more versatile feel.
We recommend that you browse what is available, and pick something that complements your existing features.