Toilets - An Overview

Its worth putting some thought into choosing the right toilet for your bathroom renovation. Here are our hints and tips to make sure that you get the toilet suite that is ideal for you.

Toilet “Set-Out”

Knowing the “set-out” before shopping for a new toilet means you’ll select the right toilet for your plumbing first time around.

How to determine the "set out"

If you want to replace your current toilet without changing the plumbing then you will need to know the "set out" and position of the water inlet.  There are 2 “set outs”: 1. S-Trap and 2. P-Trap

For an S trap installation (where the waste outlet is positioned on the floor) the set out is the distance measured from the finished tiled wall to the centre of the waste outlet on the floor. The set-out can vary greatly depending on the age of the house. Most new homes will have a standard set-out of about 140-165mm, which will enable most toilet suites to be installed. However, if the set-out is more that 200mm or less than 100mm, it will limit your choice in the type of toilet you can buy.

For a P trap installation (where the waste outlet is positioned on the wall) the set out is the distance measured from the finished tiled floor to the centre of the waste outlet on the wall. Generally a standard set out for a P trap installation is 185mm.

How to determine the position of the water inlet

You will need to understand the “water inlet” required for your toilet, before going shopping.

The water inlet is the means by which the cistern is filled. You will either have a bottom inlet or a back inlet. The bottom inlet is identified by a tap placed on the wall on either the right or left hand side of the toilet under the cistern. The back inlet on the other hand connects inside the cistern.

Types of Toilet Suites to Choose From

The first thing to know when you are choosing a new toilet suite is what types of toilet suites you actually have to choose from.  The most common you will find include:

Concealed toilets – with a concealed toilet suite, the cistern (or tank) is hidden inside the wall or inside cabinetry so that all you see is the toilet pan. These are very sleek and modern looking and are perfect for small bathrooms as they take up little space.

Close coupled toilets – with this type of toilet suite, the pan and cistern are joined together so that you cannot see the flush pipe.  They are very attractive and easy to clean, and suit all types of bathrooms.  However, as they are joined together, you may be somewhat limited in how you install them.

Wall faced toilet suites – these types of toilet suites are similar to close coupled toilets but the back of the pan can sit flush against the wall, that is, there are no gaps between the toilet pan and the wall at all.  These are an attractive, solid unit, and they are popular due to how easy they are to clean.

Connector toilet suites – with this type of suite, the pan is connected to the cistern by a standard flush pipe but the flush pipe is hidden by a special connector plate so that the toilet looks like a close coupled toilet suite . You get the aesthetics of the close coupled toilet suite but you have a bit more flexibility in how your actual toilet is laid out.

Flush pipe toilet suites – these are the standard toilets that many people see and they consist of a cistern that is attached to a pan by a short pipe.  They are the most flexible toilets in terms of placement but they are not the most attractive of choices.

 Shape, style and comfort

Virtually all toilets are made of porcelain, so the vast majority of toilets you will find will be white but if you’re willing to pay a little extra, you can find a toilet in just about any colour you’d like. Some are crafted out of a single piece of porcelain and while these cost more and are more difficult to repair, they are seamless and compact, bringing a touch of unexpected elegance.

Make sure that your toilet is attractive and actually suits the rest of your bathroom.  There is no point in choosing an ultra modern toilet suite if you have a period style bathroom, for example!  Of course, while you want your toilet to look good, you also want it to be comfortable.  It may seem a little weird to you but it may be worth sitting on a display model in a showroom to make sure that you like how it feels.  Also, make sure that the toilet suite actually fits into the space that you have available for it. 

Water efficient toilets

It's a good idea to consider how much water your toilet will use.

Four and five star WELS rated toilets are prevalent in the market, and dual flush toilets are now commonplace.  Where possible, you should opt for a water saving toilet - especially if you live in an area where water restrictions are common, or if your house uses rain water tanks.

Price / Budget

Price range considerably for toilets. We believe you can purchase a good toilet for between $400 and $600.

Warranty, Maintenance, & Part Replacement

When purchasing a toilet, it is worthwhile choosing a product with a reasonable warranty and a well know, reputatable supplier for the purpose of part replacement and maintenance