Close Coupled

This is the most common style of toilet in todays world and is fitted in most new homes. Close Coupled is where the cistern tank (which holds the clean water used to flush the toilet) sits directly on top of the toilet pan with no gap.

Wall Hung

This is where the toilet pan is suspended above the ground and supported by a heavy-duty wall frame. These frames are usually concealed within the wall behind your tiles and include the cistern. There are a wide range of frames available – these start at 800mm high which are suitable to fit below most windows. There is also a choice of flush plates available in round and square designs as well as various colours like Chrome, Steel, White, Black and many more. These are a popular option as they can help maximise space in smaller bathrooms as more floor space is visible. The ease of cleaning underneath the pan also make wall hung toilets a popular option.

Low Level & High Level

This is where there is a visible gap between the cistern and the pan. On low level toilets the gap may only be 300-400mm and the pan and cistern are connected by a flush pipe either white or chrome in colour. As you would expect the gap between the pan and cistern in a high level toilet in much larger with the cistern fitted further up the wall. Low level and high level toilets are a popular option for those who wish to create a traditional Victorian or Edwardian style bathroom, these will usually be complimented with a chrome flush pipe, ornate brackets to support the cistern to the wall and usually a decorative flush chain and handle.

Back to Wall

This refers to a toilet pan which fitted against a piece of furniture or a wall where the cistern is not visible, a concealed cistern will either be fitted inside a Back to Wall WC unit or within a stud wall with only a flush plate or flush button visible.

What else do I need to know?

Within the main categories of toilets above you will find a wide range of other styles such as Comfort Height, Short Projection, Rimless, Corner, Dual Flush etc, which in some cases will cross over the five main types. Below we will explain these in a little more detail.

A corner toilet is a toilet with a unique space saving design, designed specifically for fitting in a corner. The cistern features a triangular design so it can fit snugly in the corner of your room. Corner Toilets will usually be of Close Coupled design.

A Fully Back to Wall Close Coupled Toilet has no gap between the toilet pan and the wall. The sides of the toilet pan are completely enclosed meaning both inlet water pipe and waste outlet pipe are concealed within the toilet pan. Enclosing these pipes can make the design of these toilets much more appealing but also much easier cleaned when compared with open back close coupled toilets.

A comfort height toilet features a toilet pan which measures 50-60mm higher than a standard toilet pan making it more comfortable for the user. The higher pan design makes it easier to sit down and get off as there is less pressure on joints and the lower back which make comfort height toilets a popular option for taller people or elderly people. You will find comfort height variants of Back to Wall Toilets, Close Coupled Toilets and Low/High Level Toilets.

A short projection toilet has a shorter depth than normal meaning they do not project as far into the room as a standard toilet. Short projection toilets are perfect for smaller bathrooms, en-suites and cloakroom toilets. You will find short projection variants of Back to Wall Toilets, Close Coupled Toilets and Wall Hung Toilets.

A Rimless Toilet is a toilet without the conventional box rim found in most standard toilets. Instead of the box rim with a series of holes around the bowl, rimless toilets have a unique direct flush which sends water from the back of the pan all the way around the edge of the smooth pan. As there is no rim, rimless toilets are much more hygienic than conventional box rim toilets and are much easier to clean. The conventional box rim is difficult to clean, and as such is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. You will find rimless variants of Back to Wall Toilets, Close Coupled Toilets and Wall Hung Toilets.

A Dual flush toilet offers the user the option of a reduced water flush which can use up to 50% less water. Dual Flush is typically found on most push button toilets however it is sometimes available on lever flush toilets and almost always on wall hung toilets. Push button toilets usually will have one button with two halves, the buttons will generally have an indicator of which is the full and which is the half flush. On dual flush lever toilets, generally lifting the lever up will engage a half flush where as pressing the lever down will engage the full flush.

It is worth noting where the toilet waste pipe is located in your bathroom, due to the size of this pipe sometimes it can be quite difficult to move or re-locate in your bathroom. The location of the waste outlet may dictate the style of toilet you need to choose. The location of your pipe will also dictate which pan connector you need. Pan Connector is the name for the waste pipe which connects your toilet to the waste pipe in your bathroom.

There are a few types available:

Straight Pan Connector:

Used for connecting your toilet to waste pipe going straight out the wall behind the toilet.

Offset Pan Connector

This is used when the pipe is going out the wall behind the toilet but is not directly in line, ie it may be a little lower, or a little to the right or left of the pipe coming out of the toilet.

Flexible Pan Connector

This is used generally with a back to wall pan or with a fully back to wall close coupled toilet. The flexibility allows the pipe to be connected to both the toilet and the waste pipe before pushing the toilet back into place.