How to choose the size of a toilet seat?

In a new apartment, the toilet usually has a plastic cover with the same seat. Most often this is the simplest model. It will certainly serve for some time, but what if you are planning to completely change the interior and every little thing should correspond to your chosen style? Of course, you have to change all the details. This is where you may be faced with the question of how to choose the right seat (also called a saddle, rim) for the toilet in size, shape and color. These subtleties will be discussed in our article.

to contents ↑

What to be guided by?

Typically, the cover is sold with the seat. Before you pick up the lid for the toilet in size, it is very useful to think about what the kit should be in general? There are several qualities that should not be neglected:

• convenience;
• security;
• hygiene;
• strength;
• aesthetics;
• shape and size.

The most important thing is that you and all family members should be comfortable. If you have two models in front of you, one of which is durable and beautiful, and the second is so-so, but sitting on it is nice, it is better to give preference to the second.

Important! Now on sale you can find covers with a lot of additional features. It is interesting, of course, when the seat is warmed up or highlighted, but think carefully whether this is necessary for you personally. Each additional opportunity is also extra costs.

The seat and cover must always be kept clean. That is, it should be convenient and easy to care for. A very good option is a material with an antibacterial coating. As for the coloring, it is better to choose it taking into account the design of the entire room.

The most cardinal thing is that the seat must fit exactly in shape and size. If the toilet seat is round or square, you can easily find the cover for it, but you still have to take some measurements. But with non-standard plumbing, there is much more trouble. The seat does not have to be exactly the same size as the upper part of the toilet — it must be half a centimeter or a bit larger than the edges.

Important! You may also be interested to read about the rules for the location of plumbing and about what should be the height of the toilet.

to contents ↑

What measurements to take?

Before choosing a toilet cover according to the size of the catalog or in the plumbing salon, you need to know the measurements themselves. Need to measure:

• width
• distance between mounting holes;
• the distance from the edge of the cover to a straight line that can be drawn through the center of the mounting holes.

The first measurement is taken in the widest part. The second is between the centers of the holes. It is impossible to do this with absolute accuracy, but two or three millimeters do not play a role in one direction or another. Finally, the final measurement is taken along an imaginary line. You can, of course, draw a straight line between the holes and draw a perpendicular to it, then the measurements will be more accurate.

Important! Most of the round and square toilet models are standardized, so the manufacturer does not really matter; if the toilet is non-standard, it’s better to buy accessories in the company’s salon of the same brand.

to contents ↑

Material

Having figured out how to choose a toilet seat for the size, we turn to the materials. The vast majority of apartments have plastic seats, and this is justified: other models will be either uncomfortable or too expensive.

But it’s better to know in advance what you may encounter in the cabin. So what are the seats made of? There are enough options:

• plastic;
• plastic with foam;
• duroplast;
• plywood, wood, particleboard and MDF;
• Styrofoam.

Important! If you have been using the toilet for a long time, then before you put a new seat on it, critically inspect all surfaces.Take action if necessary by looking at our tips, how to clean the toilet of limescale and urinary stone.

Plastic

Let's start with the plastic. It is also different. In particular, for the manufacture of toilet seats are used:

• polyethylene;
• polyvinyl chloride;
• polypropylene.

There is no fundamental difference between these materials. Typically, a seat consists of two fragments:

• rounded top;
• ribs.

The upper part has a rounded shape, which provides convenience. Well, the ribs add rigidity to the whole structure. Plastic has many advantages:

• at room temperature does not cool;
• it is easy to wash;
• any detergents can be used;
• in the store you will find seats of all possible shapes and colors, which will greatly facilitate your choice.

The disadvantages include the fact that it is destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, as well as fragility and fragility. But, since these seats are very cheap, such cons do not play a special role, because a broken cover can always be replaced. As for ultraviolet radiation, then in standard toilets in high-rise buildings it practically does not happen - in any case, in a noticeable amount.

Important! Plastic does not tolerate concentrated acids and caustic alkalis.

Plastic with foam

Comfortable soft seat, which can be very comfortable to sit on. On a plastic rim - a foam pad, lined with a polymer fabric on top. It costs, of course, more expensive than ordinary plastic.

If we talk about the merits, then, in addition to the fact that your fifth point will be very comfortable on such a seat, it also looks beautiful - more precisely, it is possible to choose an effective model.

Important! The main disadvantage of such seats is that the fabric breaks very quickly, and over time, the foam begins to break down and release substances harmful to health. And this option is absolutely not suitable for an apartment in which there is a cat, accustomed to using the toilet. On the first day, only the plastic part will remain from the lid.

Duroplast

At its core, it is also plastic, but improved. Duroplast is more durable than, say, polyethylene, more resistant to mechanical stress. And outwardly it looks more presentable - it resembles ceramics.

Unlike ordinary plastics, duroplast is quite neutral towards ultraviolet and weak acids, so this cover is also suitable for the toilet, which is in a large room with windows (for example, in a private house). In addition, agents that prevent the growth of bacteria are added to the material.

Plywood, wood, particleboard and MDF

Until the end of the last century, the seats in almost all toilets were plywood. They served more than one decade.

Important! If your bathroom is decorated in Retro style, you can’t imagine anything better. And for a Provencal style or Country, natural wood is a very suitable material.

Advantages of wooden models:

• strength;
• durability;
• You can pick up very interesting models in terms of design.

It’s almost impossible to break such a seat. Sitting on it is comfortable, it does not scratch the toilet, since rubber pads are screwed on or glued from below. Why this material is not very popular right now is so solely because of its appearance. An ordinary plywood seat box looks extremely unpresentable, and models made of expensive wood are much more expensive than plastic ones.

Important! Plywood is only a seater. The lid is not included, and even if it were included, it would have weighed immeasurably and there would always be a risk of getting a plywood sheet along the lower back at the most inopportune moment. Yes, and if you fall on the toilet, the consequences can be most severe.

Styrofoam

Very cheap, very light and very warm seats. True, they are more suitable for country toilets - precisely because they retain heat well. But this material has a lot of disadvantages:

• breaks down quickly;
• absolutely unstable to mechanical stress;
• It doesn’t look too impressive.

Important! It is very easy to replace such a model, and for this it is not necessary to go to the store. Any product can be cut from polystyrene yourself.

to contents ↑

Modern covers

High technology has not passed and manufacturers of plumbing equipment. If you are thinking about how to choose a toilet seat, and would like to buy something modern, look at high-tech products:

• with a lift;
• heated;
• with bidet function;
• “Smart” covers.

Micro lift

These are quite simple and relatively inexpensive high-tech models. The lid closes and opens smoothly, does not hit the toilet seat. In essence, this is a door closer.

Heating

This is especially true in rooms with a low temperature. For example, in the country, a toilet equipped with such a device will be very handy if you tend to visit your site in the winter. In addition, young children often do not like to sit on a cold toilet and they have a negative attitude towards the process itself.

Bidet function

Very convenient device. In almost all models, even the water temperature is regulated. In fact, complex equipment is obtained, which is especially important for small bathrooms.

Smart Lids

A special kind of plumbing devices. Different manufacturers equip a fairly simple in essence product with the most incredible features. For example, in the lid there may be a motion sensor - the toilet opens without any human intervention, only when it approaches. The visitor leaves - the lid closes.

You might think of a model with a remote control. As a rule, these have other functions - male or female washing, changing the pressure of water. There are even hydromassage devices.

Important! The biggest disadvantage of such products is their price. But in essence, these are no longer seats, but entire hygiene complexes, which take up very little space.

Think about the kids

How to equip a bathroom if there is a small child? If the place allows, you can put an additional toilet - the same as in kindergarten. However, not everyone has a similar opportunity, so you have to get out of the situation in other ways.

What should be a children's cover?

1. The hole in it is smaller than that intended for adults.
2. She must be warm.
3. It is better to choose a bright color.

Due to his physical features, the kid cannot sit in the big seat. Therefore, for its safety, it is better to purchase a special seat. By the way, on sale you can find options “3 in 1”:

• cap;
• child seat;
• seat for an adult.

Important! Make it a rule to regularly clean up the bathroom, because this is one of the largest nurseries of various microbes. Use our tips by reading the article. “How to clean the toilet?”.

When the child is not in the toilet, the child seat is folded along with the lid, well, or the whole structure - on the contrary, is closed. This or that seat leans back when it is necessary. You can buy a separate seat, which is installed on the toilet when the lid and adult seat are raised.

to contents ↑

Stock footage

As you can see, even when choosing such a seemingly insignificant detail of everyday life as a toilet seat, there are a lot of nuances. But now, after reading the information from this article, you should clearly imagine what exactly suits you best, which means that the purchase will not cause problems. You can measure the rim and make the right selection of options to choose from.