Toilet seat: types, selection rules and installation features

When choosing a toilet seat, few people pay due attention to this. Many people focus solely on the size and color of the toilet seat, don’t you agree?

However, if you spend a little more time choosing, learn about new products and features of different seats, you can purchase the most comfortable model that meets the needs of users.

We suggest you understand the variety of offers from plumbing stores. The article provides a detailed overview of various toilet seats, as well as the criteria for choosing this indispensable bathroom attribute. In addition, step-by-step instructions are offered that will help replace the old toilet seat with a new one.

Types of toilet seats

This market niche is developing quite actively. A wide variety of models are presented in the catalogs of online stores and on the shelves of real retail outlets.

Some toilet seats have an attractive and very original design. Others captivate buyers with their versatility.

All the variety offered by manufacturers can be divided into the following categories:

• disposable products;
• structures made of hard plastic;
• soft toilet seats;
• models with built-in bidet and microlift;
• heated seats;
• electronic covers;
• children's and double seats.

To decide which type is suitable for a particular bathroom, it is useful to learn about the distinctive features of each type. Knowing all the pros and cons, you can quickly decide on the optimal product.

Features of disposable devices

Disposable seats are mainly used in public institutions. Their main advantage is safety.

They help prevent infection with unpleasant diseases that you can easily catch in a public toilet.

You can purchase disposable toilet products at any specialized store. Their choice will not cause absolutely any problems. After all, they are always made in the same size

The only drawback is the lack of fastenings on disposable products. This makes them less convenient to use. In addition, they have the shortest possible service life.

As for the material, paper or a special polymer is mainly used for the manufacture of linings. Such chairs will not cause installation problems. After all, it only takes a few seconds to prepare it for use.

Hard plastic seats

If you want to buy the simplest possible product that will serve for years, then the best choice would be a plastic design. Its strength and service life depend entirely on the thickness of the material.

If you spend money once and buy a model made of high-quality plastic, you can forget about it for a good 3-5 years.

Speaking about appearance, it is impossible to highlight any unique features or shapes. In most cases, hard plastic seats have a classic shape.The absence of unnecessary and often interfering parts significantly increases ease of use.

A toilet seat made of hard plastic is an inexpensive but practical solution. Yes, it will not improve the toilet, but its service life is much longer than that of its more expensive counterparts. Especially if the owners are careful in handling

The disadvantage of plastic structures is their fastening. Often these elements are made of the same material as all other parts of the product. As a result, strength is significantly reduced. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase seats with metal fasteners.

Is it worth buying a soft seat?

This design combines all sorts of disadvantages and boasts only two real advantages - an affordable price for everyone and ease of use.

The soft seat is made from cheap polyethylene. The material breaks and wears out quite quickly. Therefore, we are not talking about a long service life.

If you are very lucky, this model will last 1 year. But as a rule, such products need to be replaced after the first three to five months of operation.

A soft seat will be the best choice when you need a universal, comfortable, but as cheap as possible product. But if you need to buy a durable and comfortable toilet seat, then it is better to opt for another type

Device with built-in bidet

In the twenty-first century, many things have appeared that make the life of a modern person more comfortable. The list of such devices can include toilet seat with bidet function. This is achieved through a built-in fountain that helps maintain intimate hygiene.

Many models are equipped with a water heating function. Yes, this will allow you to enjoy going to the toilet, but keep in mind that such additions will significantly increase the cost of the design.

Using a toilet seat with a bidet can significantly save money and space in the bathroom. This solution is especially relevant for small apartments. This is explained by the fact that there is no need to install a stationary bidet

High chair with microlift function

This unusual design will be useful for those people who often forget to lower the lid. Thanks to the microlift, this is done automatically. Despite its convenience, this model is quite expensive. But at the same time, it lasts quite a long time (on average 3-5 years).

Most often, the user cannot manually control the process of lowering the lid. For many, this may seem like a serious shortcoming. Therefore, manufacturers paid attention to this. Many modern models provide the ability to disable the microlift function.

Do not try to force the structure. If you overdo it, you can break the microlift. At the same time, it is quite difficult to repair it and most often you have to buy a new toilet seat

As for additional functions, this design is often complemented by a heating system. Therefore, using this chair is a pleasure.

The list of advantages of models of this type should include quality. High-strength and reliable plastic is used in the production process. To break it, you will have to use remarkable force. In the event of a breakdown, it will be possible to perform Repairing the cover yourself.

Comfortable heated seat

In most cases, expensive covers are equipped with this functionality in order to provide a person with maximum comfort.

Sometimes a heating system can be integrated into the production of conventional rigid plastic structures. This has a beneficial effect on convenience and performance. But due to modernization, their cost increases several times.

Advantages and disadvantages of electronic covers

The automatic toilet seat appeared only a few years ago. But since its invention, it has become in great demand.

Such a smart design can recognize when a person approaches it, which leads to the opening of the lid. When a person leaves the bathroom, the toilet closes automatically.

An electronic seat will be an excellent addition to a smart home system. This product will also be appreciated by lovers of modern technology and unearthly comfort.

Such products are often supplemented with the following elements:

• seat heating system;
• bidet;
• built-in hair dryer;
• air deodorization function, etc.

When deciding whether to buy electronic toilet lid or choose something simpler, you need to take into account its cost.

After all, the price is most often two or even three times higher than that of structures equipped with a microlift.

Devices for small users

If there are small children in the family, then parents are faced with the question of choosing a toilet seat. After all, you need to buy a universal product that will be comfortable for use by both adults and children.

In this case, it is better to opt for a double model. This design is equipped with two seats of different sizes.They overlap each other, which makes the product comfortable for the child.

In this case, the structure can be made from several different materials. For example, MDF is used to produce an adult, while a children's one is made of plastic.

You can also find brightly colored products with small sizes on the market. But they should not be installed in a house or apartment. They will be the best choice only for kindergartens or similar institutions.

Using a special toilet seat cover, you can make sure that the toilet can be used by a child. But they should not be confused with special products intended for disabled people. Since these are two completely different designs

Main selection criteria

The wide variety of toilet seats offered on the market creates problems for the unprepared buyer. After all, how can you make a choice if each manufacturer talks only about the advantages of its product, and its product line numbers hundreds of models?

To avoid mistakes, you need to pay attention to the material, size, design and level of rigidity. Each of these parameters affects durability and comfort. In addition, if you choose the right seat, you can refine the interior of the bathroom, make it more classic or, conversely, modern, in the Art Nouveau style.

Which material is stronger?

In the production process of such structures, many materials are used. But the vast majority of manufacturers prefer plastic, duroplast, wood, plywood sheets or even fabric.

Plastic. Polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride are materials that harmoniously combine durability and low cost. At the same time, they are comfortable and easy to wash.

But plastic products scratch and crack easily. In addition, their appearance is usually gray and unsightly, which is suitable only for buyers who want to save money, but not for aesthetes who want to turn the bathroom into a real work of art.

Duroplast ranks second among the most popular materials for the production of toilet seats. In many of its characteristics it is similar to ceramics.

Duroplast does not absorb odors and moisture. Moreover, such a product is not affected by weak acids or ultraviolet radiation.

When producing products from Duroplast, a special component is added to their composition to prevent the growth and reproduction of bacteria. As a result, this makes the toilet more hygienic and safe to use.

Plywood considered the worst material that can be used to make toilet seats. Despite its low cost, it has a cheap appearance that matches the price. Touching such a product is not particularly pleasant, which is the reason for its low popularity.

Tree. These covers have a luxurious and attractive appearance. Yes, these models are quite rare, but because of this they are valued even more.

In terms of their quality characteristics, they are in no way inferior to their counterparts made of plastic.

Wooden toilet seats are an interior item that will make the design of the toilet aesthetic and very unusual. A toilet with this decor is distinguished by its natural attractiveness and excellent performance properties.

The only drawback of a structure made of wood or chipboard is its heavy weight. If you buy a model that is not equipped with a microlift, then if it falls, such a lid can damage the toilet.

Textile. Textiles primarily act as decorative materials. It is soft, pleasant to the touch and has an attractive appearance. Therefore, such decor will harmoniously fit into any interior design. But the fabric is extremely short-lived and its service life rarely reaches 1 year.

How to choose the right size

Despite the fact that there are certain standards for toilet production, many manufacturers do not adhere to these standards. Therefore, ceramic products often have completely unique dimensions, making the selection of seats for them a real challenge.

To correctly determine the size, the best solution would be to outline the outline of the toilet on cardboard. Don’t forget about the fastening points - they also need to be marked on the layout. When choosing a toilet seat, you should stick to the template and give preference to models whose circumference does not exceed the size of the toilet by more than 1 cm.

If you choose the wrong size of the toilet seat, this will lead to its rapid wear. This will make using the toilet much less comfortable.

Appearance and colors

If the bathroom or toilet is designed in a particular style, then special attention should be paid to the design of the toilet seat. After all, a correctly selected model in color and appearance will allow you to achieve completeness of the interior.

For a family with small children, a lid with pictures would be an excellent choice. It could be cars, ducks or something similar, it doesn’t matter. The main thing is that the product is bright and memorable.

For the average toilet, the renovation of which is not particularly chic, a monochromatic design would be the ideal choice. A model with a wood pattern also looks good.

Among all possible colors, white is considered the most universal. The black toilet lid will also fit perfectly into any bathroom or toilet.

Pay special attention to checking the external surface of the product. Its structure should be smooth and even. At the same time, there should be no cracks, chips, plastic deposits or splinters on it.

Does the level of hardness matter?

First of all, this characteristic affects the durability, practicality and strength of the structure. Today, semi-rigid models are in demand. Their main feature is ease of use. But they do not last long because they bend and, as a result, crack.

Semi-rigid seats consist of two layers. The first is a solid base that ensures the strength of the entire structure, and the second is a rubberized gasket that makes contact with the product as pleasant as possible.

Brief overview of manufacturers

Today, not only domestic but also foreign manufacturers offer their products. At the same time, you can find products on the market both from world-famous companies and from Chinese suppliers.

The list of reliable Russian companies that produce toilet and bathroom accessories includes:

• Keramin;
• Santek;
• IDDIS;
• Sanita Luxe.

The last brand includes the largest range. Company Sanita Luxe offers classic-shaped products ranging in price from $25 to $90. The catalog also includes models equipped with a microlift.

The Sanita Luxe Classic seat cover is in greatest demand. It is made in white color and made of thermoplastic. Its analogue, a model with a microlift, costs only $3 more.

If you need to order a truly high-quality and multifunctional model, then the best solution would be products from foreign brands.

The best companies have proven themselves to be:

• Roca;
• Vitra;
• Jika;
• Laufen;
• Cersanit;
• Geberit;
• IDO;
• Jacob Delafon.

A distinctive feature of the Spanish company Roca is of decent quality and relatively low cost. The manufacturer's assortment is varied and includes models costing from $50 to $900.

The most expensive seats of this brand are devices equipped with electronic control and made of high-quality thermodurum.

If, when choosing a toilet lid, preference is given to safe and inexpensive models, then the ideal solution would be products from the brand Jika.

This company's assortment is full of models costing up to $100. Therefore, any average buyer will be able to choose the best option for themselves.

Lovers of luxury technology and furniture should pay attention to the chairs from the company Laufen. This company sets itself the task of producing luxury accessories and plumbing fixtures.

The products will surprise the buyer with their technicality and simply perfect appearance. At the same time, the catalog contains simply a huge number wall hung toilets and covers for them.

For rich people who love high-tech furniture, the Geberit lid is the best choice. Most products of this brand are equipped with heating, a bidet, all kinds of sensors and even remote control. But they cost about $2,500

How to install a toilet seat correctly?

Absolutely anyone can replace an old seat with a new one and there is no need to call a plumber.After all, all modern toilets have a simple design that simplifies installation of the lid as much as possible, without the need to use any tools.

To install a new toilet seat, you need to:

1. Remove old seat. To do this, you need to unscrew the nuts that are threaded onto the long bolts. If this fails, you can use a wrench or pliers.
2. Clean the fixation area. It will be useful to completely clean the toilet and check the reliability of the flush mechanism and the tank. This will avoid the appearance of smudges.
3. Unpack the new kit and insert the bolts into the holes in the cover. Often, special grooves are used to secure bolts. They allow you to adjust the location of the structure.
4. Insert the bolts into the toilet holes and tighten the nuts. Handle fasteners carefully, especially if they are made of plastic. After all, if you put too much pressure on them, they can burst.

If you purchase a product equipped with a microlift, before starting installation, it is recommended that you carefully read the operating instructions included in the kit. This approach will avoid mistakes.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Rules for purchasing a toilet seat:

Subtleties of choosing a toilet lid by size:

The toilet seat is the element that makes using the toilet as comfortable as possible. Therefore, a little attention should be paid to his choice. After all, this approach will allow you to purchase a convenient, reliable and aesthetic product that harmoniously complements the interior of the toilet and bathroom.

Do you have anything to add or have questions about choosing a toilet seat? You can leave comments on the publication and participate in discussions.The contact form is located in the lower block.