Drain tank volume
The working volume of the flush tank installed on the toilet-compact (cf. «Type») or supplied with a classical model; in other words - the amount of water contained in the tank.
The current standard volume value is 6 litres; it is believed that this capacity provides an optimal balance between water consumption, drain efficiency and compact design. However, there are also toilet bowls
with a reduced tank - less than 6 l (usually 4 - 5 l). This feature saves water and reduces the size of the tank; and to ensure the efficiency of the flush, various additional devices can be provided in the design. As a result, such toilets may cost more than full-size tanks; however, if the water in the bathroom comes from meters, the difference in price quickly pays off.
It should be noted that, in addition to the reduced tank, such features as a half drain (cf. «Functions and Capabilities») and a safe design (cf. above) contribute to the savings.
Toilet material
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Sanitaryware(“sanitary faience”). The most common material for modern toilets, at a low cost, has a neat appearance, is durable and reliable. The main disadvantage is the porous structure, which contributes to the accumulation of dirt and odors (although recently technologies have been applied to eliminate this disadvantage). The service life of such material in modern toilets can reach 40 years.
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Sanfarfor(“sanitary porcelain”). Like sanitary ware, it belongs to ceramic materials, however, with similar strength and appearance, it absorbs water and dirt much less easily, due to which it has a longer service life - up to 60 years. However, sanitary porcelain is also more expensive.
- Stainless steel. The key advantage of “stainless steel” is its high strength: this material can easily withstand even strong impacts that can crack sanitary porcelain or sanitaryware. On the other hand, such toilets are not cheap, despite the fact that the mentioned strength in reality is not needed so often. Therefore, it makes sense to pay attention to this option in cases where reliability and resistance to damage are of key importance - for example, if plumbing fixtures are purchased for a stadium, bar, etc., and must be vandal-resistant.
- Ceramics. These or other types of ceramics that either do not belong to the sanitary porcelain or sanitary ware described above, or represent specific v
...arieties of these materials. The specific features of ceramic toilets should be clarified separately; however, for the most part these are quite advanced and high-quality products.
Moreover, each of the listed materials may additionally have a special antibacterial toilet coating that prevents the growth and reproduction of bacteria. It significantly improves the hygiene of use, but affects the price.Seat material
The material from which the toilet seat is made.
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Duroplast. In appearance, Duroplast seats resemble ceramics. They look much more expensive than traditional plastic seats, and duroplast also has high strength, durability, resistance to impacts, ultraviolet rays and aggressive detergents. It's also heavy material. It is important to consider that in models without a closer, the duroplast seat and its cover can hit the toilet hard when lowered.
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Polypropylene. The seats are made of plastic, often called thermoplastic. This is a cheap, lightweight and easy-to-clean toilet seat material. Polypropylene can be quite strong and stable, but over time such products often become yellow, and plastic seats can become deformed, scratched and broken due to mechanical damage.
The listed materials may additionally have a special antibacterial coating that prevents the growth and reproduction of bacteria. It significantly improves the hygiene of using the toilet, but it does come at a price.
Weight
The total weight of the product; for compact-toilet (cf. «Type»), as a rule, is specified for standard equipment - together with «native» tank (empty).
When choosing floor models on this indicator you can not pay much attention, but for a hanging toilet bowl (see. «Installation») weight is quite principial: because the installation (or other attachment) should normally withstand both the design and the user sitting on it.
Bowl height
The height of the toilet bowl, namely the upper edge of the bowl.
In floor models (cf. «Installation») this size is considered from the base, in suspended - from the bottom edge. It should be borne in mind that hanging articles are usually set at a height of at least 5 - 10 cm above the floor, so the actual height of the bowl will be greater by the appropriate amount. Flooring models are usually placed at the floor level, and the actual height of the bowl in them corresponds to the stated (theoretically it is possible to adjust this height by installing the toilet at an elevation or recess, but in practice it is easier to choose the model of the desired height).
The lowest height values -
up to 30 cm inclusive - can be found exclusively in hanging toilets (this is not inconvenient given the features of installation). The same type of installation applies to most models on
31 - 34 cm and
35 - 37 cm, although these categories already include floor products. However, among the latter, the most popular height -
38 - 40 cm, is also very common outdoor toilet bowls height
more than 40 cm (in suspended models the height is higher than 38 cm and rare).
Regarding the choice of this parameter, it is worth considering the use of the toilet. Thus, for public use, the best option is considere
...d to be the actual height of the bowl of 40 - 44 cm; this height is clearly prescribed in some sanitary standards, it is convenient for most adults and is quite acceptable for children (except for the smallest, who already require the help of an adult when using the toilet). But for personal use, the toilet should be selected more carefully, and here may be suitable values. The general rule is that, ideally, the legs of a seated person should be bent at a right angle and freely stand on the floor without hanging or straining themselves beyond measure. However, people in the family may differ markedly in stature and needs. In general, therefore, it is recommended to take into account the growth of the highest family member and, in the case of a person with special needs, those needs first.Dimensions (HxWxD)
General dimensions of the toilet bowl in height, width and depth (by depth is meant the distance from the front edge to the rear edge).
These indicators allow you to determine how much space is required to install the product, and also affect some practical points. In this case, width and depth are of key importance. Specific figures and nuances for these dimensions are as follows:
- Width:
up to 35 cm in the narrowest models,
40 cm or more in the widest, intermediate options -
36 - 37 cm and
38 - 39 cm. A large width is desirable if people of large build will use the toilet. However, it should be borne in mind that this dimensions is indicated by the widest part of the structure, and this is not necessarily a bowl - we can talk about a tank.
- Depth:
up to 50 cm - is considered small, in the largest products -
more than 65 cm ; intermediate options include
51 - 55 cm,
56 - 60 cm and
61 - 65 cm. Here the choice depends on the height and physique of the user: tall people and people with long legs will be most comfortable with toilets with great depth.
Height is worth mentioning. In models without a tank, it corresponds to the height of the bowl
..., see more about this indicator above. In compact toilets (see "Type"), the height with the tank is usually indicated, it depends on how much vertical space is required for installation. Here, an indicator of 75 cm or less is considered small, 76 - 80 cm is average, 81 - 85 cm is above average, and for the highest products, more than 85 cm of free space above the floor will be required.Country of origin
The country of origin of the brand under which the toilet is marketed. Nowadays, on sale you can mainly find products from such countries (in alphabetical order):
Belgium,
Germany,
India,
Spain,
Italy,
Poland,
Turkey,
France,
Czech Republic,
Switzerland,
Sweden,
Japan.
There are many stereotypes related to how the origin of goods from a particular country affects their quality. However, in general, these stereotypes are unfounded. Firstly, this paragraph does not indicate the actual place of manufacture of the toilet bowl, but the "homeland" of the trademark (or the location of the manufacturer's headquarters); production facilities may be located in another country. Secondly, the actual quality of the product depends not so much on geography, but on the organization of processes within a particular company. So when choosing, it is best to focus not so much on the "nationality" of the toilet, but on the overall reputation of a particular brand. And paying attention to the country of origin makes sense if you fundamentally want (or do not want) to support a manufacturer from a
...certain state.