Types Of Toilet Seats

What type of toilet seat should I buy?

Let's Find Out What Type of Toilet Seat you have

There are two types of toilet bowls and two types of toilet seats that go with them. Round and elongated toilet seats. They also differentiate that there are toilet seats with lids and without them. And some that are open and closed front toilet seats. Round toilet seats. Rounded toilet seats don't take up very much room. Are a great size for potty training children, and are good for use in small homes and apartments. These types of seats are optimal for average to small sized people. Good to use a rounded toilet seat if your toilet's location is near a door, as it is smaller and will be likely out of the way. Elongated toilet seats. Longer toilet seats that are oval in shape take up more space. They are not the easiest for potty training kids, and fit the best when placed in larger bathrooms. Elongated toilet seats are great for people who are taller or larger in size. This type of seat is not to be used if the location of the toilet is close to a door. If so, you run the risk of having the door hit the toilet. Potentially increasing the likelihood of cracking, chipping, and annoyance.  With so many options to choose from, it's easy to get lost when it comes time to choose a toilet seat. We know it's hard to find everything you're looking for in a home product. So we've come up with the specific types of toilet seats found online and in the marketplace for you. 

Should I Get a Toilet Seat With a Lid or Without One?

With a lid:

Getting a toilet seat with a lid is standard practice in most homes. Putting the seat down after you flush decreases the smell and spread of fecal particles around the room. Having a lid also gives you a place to sit when you're not doing your business. Sit on it and do your makeup, sit and take a rest from washing the kids, or enjoy some quiet time alone in the bathroom. It is also a very safe practice to have a toilet with a lid, so toddlers and children won't fall in. It is also practical in a house with kids to close the toilet seat. This prevents the costly removal of small objects that have made their way into or flushed down. It also works as a way to block and prevent pets from sneaking a drink or playing in gross toilet water. Puppy toilet kisses? No thanks!

Without a lid:

Getting a toilet seat without a lid is standard practice in most commercial businesses and restaurants. But it may also work for you. You should get a toilet seat without a lid if you aren't concerned with fecal particles flying onto your toothbrush. Perhaps you're tired of reminding your husband or son to put the seat down after they flush. Or you're tired of having to put the thing down -- and the only way to get on with your life is without a toilet seat.

Should I Get an Open or Closed Front Toilet Seat?

There are different reasons for both open and closed fronts to a toilet seat. One such reason is due to practical purposes -- for sanitation and prevention of diseases. It used to be believed that you could get diseases from sitting on a contaminated toilet seat. And, yes, it is true, but only very rarely does it ever occur. Open front. U-shaped toilet seats are typically found in public places, businesses, and restaurant bathrooms. They are placed in these locations to prevent splashing on the missing part when squatting to pee. They are also designed like a horseshoe to make it easier for women to lean forward and wipe themselves. Closed front toilets. The round or oval elongated types are typically found in residential homes. They are rounded or elongated to make it more comfortable to sit on. They offer a convenient way to put a potty chair on top of it as a way to assist children with learning to use the potty. Also they work to keep a barrier between you and the rest of the toilet. Bath Keep lists other types of toilet seats that may make your bathroom experience more enjoyable.

  • Warming: Some toilet seats are fancy and can be turned on to warm your buns on a cold or blustery winter day. The warming toilet seat is no longer a luxury available only to the rich, there are now pricing options for any budget.
  • Padded: Toilet seats that have padding are good. Especially for people who need cushioned seating due to health issues, circulation, and comfort issues. No one wants their legs or butt falling asleep on the toilet. The drawback is that padding can get sweaty and feel gross in hot weather.
  • Raised or adaptive seating: Having a raised seat makes it easier for the elderly, seniors, the disabled. People with aches and pains to sit down and get up easier. If you have or someone in your family has a back problem this works great.
  • Bidet: A bidet is a technologically advanced and costly toilet. It will clean your behind and save you costs on toilet paper.

Should I Consider the Type of Hinge It Comes With?

The type of hinge is also important, especially if your toilet does not come with a toilet seat. It is your responsibility to pick out the hinges, so make sure they fit. At the same time, there are certain toilet seat types that require a specific hinge.

Bottom Fixing Toilet Seats

This is the type of hinge that has a traditional style of fixing. This means that you have two bolts that go in the pan, and you have to tighten those from underneath. Usually, wing bolts are used.

To easily tell if what you need is a bottom fixing toilet seat, all you have to do is to put your hand behind the toilet and feel where the bolt is. If there is a place for a bolt, then most likely, you need a hinge designed for a bottom fixing toilet seat. Also, make sure that the bolt that you felt can accommodate a pan.

Top Fixing Toilets Seats

This is just the complete opposite of the bottom fixing toilet. This time, you are going to feed two bolts in the pan and then you have to tighten it from the top.

This one is actually simpler because it just works like a wall plug. For you to determine if this is the type that you need, you have to check if there is no space at the bottom of the toilet.

Measurements to Keep in Mind

You are probably replacing your current toilet seat, or your toilet does not come with a toilet seat. Either way, you can be sidetracked from the most crucial factor to look for in picking toilet seats, and that is compatibility.

Definitely, you have to make sure that the toilet seat that you have fits your toilet. Do not worry since we are here to provide a general guide on the important measurements you need to keep in mind.

  • Take note of the measure between the two fixing holes. Usually, it is 155 mm, but it is still great to check it yourself.
  • Take note of the measurement of the bowl width. Make sure to measure the width where it is the widest.
  • Measure the front part of the bowl up to the fixing holes. For this one, you have to think of an imaginary line that bridges these two points.

Just remember those three measurements, and you will surely get the right size of the toilet seat. In this way, you do not have to deal with a seat that sticks out from the bowl.

Toilet Seat Fittings

We already covered the shape, size, fit, and even the measurements. What is next? We are now going to put it all together and talk about the technique on how you can properly attach those. In general, there are three ways to go about this, and they are:

  1. Toilet Seat with Grub Screws and Hinge Bar

This type of fitting has brackets that need to be fitted in a pan. A variation that it has is that it also makes use of a spigot so that a metal bar can be used to act as a hinge.

The said bar has two blind holes, and the spigots should go through these and be secured using a grub screw. You can also use a Allen head for this.

In fact, an Allen key that is a bit tiny is needed to secure the grub screw and the spigot. The hassle behind these grub screw is the fact that they tend to stick out when the toilet seat is in use, so it can cause discomfort.

  1. Slow Automatic Closure Toilet Seats

This is a variation of a modern toilet seat and what you get is an automatic closure of the seat that is so slow. However, to do this, you have to get specific materials from the manufacturer.

The brackets should come with the kit, and you should not use your own brackets. Keep in mind that with this, you cannot lift the seat.

Also, it cannot be leaned against the cistern, and you cannot open it at an angle that is over 110 degrees. This goes to show that this type is not for all bathrooms and toilets.

  1. Back to the Wall Pan Toilet Seat

This is another common type of toilet where you cannot get access to the pan that is underneath. Usually, this design is seen in homes that do not have a lot of space.

This one has seat brackets that have an expansive fitting that is one-piece.  This is very much the same as that of fitting of a cavity wall.

Therefore, the screw that needs to be secured is covered with a long rubber grommet. Also, in the end, there should be a securing nut.

This is easier to do because you just have to fit all of the grommets to the pan holes and secure them with a nut. You have to make sure that everything is secured with a nut even if you think the grommets are secure enough.

Sanitation Tips

In the event that you are going to replace your toilet seat, we advise you to not do it outright without cleaning it. It can be a bit gross since everyone knows that the toilet seat is a haven of bacteria. With that said, here are some sanitation techniques you can do:

  • Use an antibacterial spray. Make sure that you do not over saturate the toilet seat, but you can leave the solution to set for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Use gloves in cleaning and removing the toilet seat. In this way, even though there is still bacteria left on it, your skin is not directly exposed to them.
  • If you do not want to use gloves, you can use a barrier cream and just make sure that you cover your hands completely, even the back of your hands.
  • If you do not have an effective cleaning agent at hand, you can spray a bit of alcohol or create a mixture of baking soda and water. Then, you can let that sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • After removing your previous toilet seat, make sure that you wipe down the pan. Spraying some anti-bacterial spray or cleaning solution before attaching the new one is also recommended.
  • Make sure that the surface is completely dry before applying hinges or other screws to prevent the bleeding of the coating of the screws.

Conclusion

We spend about 2 hours a week, or 2 days of our lives in the bathroom. Time is too short to sit on a throne that's falling apart or uncomfortable. Take your bathroom time to a whole new level. Design and customize your toilet seat the way you want it and need it to be. Make your toilet seat large or small, long or short, padded or un-padded, and warm or body temperature. Help your parents or grandparents feel safer and more secure during their bathroom time. Potty train your child and help them graduate to the big kid potty. Or stop arguing with your partner by getting rid of the toilet lid altogether. Whatever the use, look, and feel of your toilet seat, you'll find one that's appropriate for you and your family.

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