Is your toilet seat lopsided, faded, cracked, or stained from cleaning products? Is your crappy (excuse the pun) toilet seat making your bathroom or powder room look like it needs a complete overhaul?
Replacing your toilet seat could be all you need to do to give your tired bathroom a new lease of life. The humble toilet seat is after all the finishing touch to any toilet. Updating your toilet seat is super easy and with a plethora of styles to choose from, you can completely transform your toilet to look just like it’s brand new.
It sounds simple doesn’t it, but there are a few things you need to know before you visit your local bathroom store. Be sure to buy your toilet seat from a reputable bathroom retailer, like the Bathroom Discount Centre. There are plenty of options to choose from. And if you can’t spare the time, you can always order online.
Dakota Murphey shares her definitive guide to choosing and fitting a brand new toilet seat.
What shape?
These days toilets come in all sorts of shapes and designs, as do their corresponding seats. You’ll need to make sure you choose a toilet seat that is appropriate for the design of your toilet. The most common shaped toilet seats are round nose, pointed nose or D-shaped.
What size?
What size toilet seat you choose is a very good question, as toilet seats do not come in a standard size. Different toilets require different seats. Modern toilets especially come in a range of sizes and designs. Never assume your toilet is a standard size. You’ll need to measure it.
How to measure for the correct size toilet seat
To make sure your toilet seat fits perfectly, you’ll need to take three measurements:
- Firstly, measure the distance between the fixing holes. Measure from the centre of the left bolt hole to the centre of the right bolt hole.
- Now measure the width of the toilet bowl where it is broadest. If you are measuring the width using the old seat, turn it over to measure the widest point.
- The last measurement you need is the length of the seat. Hold the measuring tape at the front of the toilet bowl and stretch it to the back at an imaginary line joining the two seat fixing holes.
Wooden versus plastic toilet seats
For most of us it’s a case of aesthetics when it comes to choosing a new toilet seat. Wooden options include natural solid wood (usually oak) or painted MDF or compressed wood. Plastic toilet seats are Thermoplastic or Thermoset.
Thermoset plastics can only be heated once, are more scratch resistant and cost a little more. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to selecting the optimum material for your toilet seat, but here are some of the facts you may like to consider:
- Wooden seats are warmer to sit on, especially in the winter
- Wooden seats generally feel sturdier
- Wooden seats are less resistant to wear and tear. Because wood is a natural material, it eventually degrades in a high moisture bathroom
- Wooden seats lend a certain charm and are especially suited to more traditional interiors
- Wooden seats have a propensity to discolour
- Plastic seats are very durable, and usually last longer than wooden seats
- Some plastic seats come with soft close technology (great if you’re tired of hearing the toilet lid slam in the middle of the night)
- Plastic seats come in a wide variety of colours and designs
- Cheaper, lighter plastic seats are vulnerable to cracking
What about fittings?
Most toilet seats come with standard fittings. Some have a quick release mechanism making it easier for you to remove and clean. Most come with plastic fittings, but you can also get gold effect or chrome hinges.
How to fit your toilet seat
Now you’ve purchased your new toilet seat you’ll be eager to get it perfectly placed on your throne. Here’s a quick overview of how to fit your toilet seat.
- Remove your old seat and give your toilet a thorough clean (we recommend you wear gloves for this).
- As per manufacturer’s instructions assemble the fittings ready to fit.
- Place the new seat over the toilet and secure in place with the bolts.
- Tighten up the nuts and bolts using a wrench or pliers.
- Protective plastic covers should simply snap in place over the bolt heads.
Or there’s a more in-depth guide here.
We hope you love your new-look loo!
(Images via Pixabay)
0
Great post, like you say it’s always important to take your measurements as so many people assume there is a standard that fits all. It’s also always worth checking with your architect or plumber to check the model of toilet you are purchasing and ensuring it is the most efficient / will actually fit your room appropriately.