Toilet seat dimensions: how to measure and fit?

How to install the toilet seat correctly?

Absolutely anyone can cope with replacing the old seat with a new one, and at the same time there will be no need to call a plumber. After all, all modern toilet bowls have an elementary design, which simplifies the installation of the lid as much as possible, without the need to use any tools.

To install a new toilet seat, you must:

1. Remove the old seat. To do this, unscrew the nuts that are strung on the long bolts. If this fails, then you can use a wrench or pliers.
2. Clean the place of fixation. It will be useful to completely wash the toilet and check the reliability of the fastening of the drain mechanism, as well as the tank. This will avoid the appearance of smudges.
3. Unpack the new kit and insert the screws into the holes in the cover. Often, special grooves are used to fasten the bolts. They allow you to adjust the location of the structure.
4. Insert the screws into the holes in the toilet and tighten the nuts. Handle fasteners with care, especially if they are made of plastic. After all, if you press hard on them, then they can burst.

If you purchase a product equipped with a microlift, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself in detail with the instruction manual that comes with the kit before starting the installation. This approach will avoid mistakes.

Appointment

The main purpose of the chair is to create favorable working conditions:

• comfortable body position;
• creating a working atmosphere in the office, as an element of the interior;
• image aspect.

Allocate models for home / office, staff, visitors, managers. The main criterion when choosing a chair is the duration of the working cycle.

Minimum load

The models for visitors do not provide for adjusting mechanisms to create comfort, headrests, armrests.

For an active user

Chairs must ensure work without harm to health. Furniture elements require adjustment in height, slope.

Fully workplace

The work of a leader is irregular. The director's chair is equipped with full functionality, with orthopedic properties, and has a presentable appearance.

What should be a toilet seat

The four main qualities to look out for first are:

• convenience;
• appearance;
• strength;
• hygiene.

Of course, it is important to remember about the sizes, but we will talk about this a little later. First, let's understand each of the listed properties.

Convenience, unfortunately or fortunately, cannot be checked in the store (you probably would not want to buy a toilet seat that someone has already "checked"), so here you should rely only on logic. Whatever change your hearts demand, if the old seat was comfortable for you, look for the same shape. Experiments in this area can lead to the fact that any visit to the toilet will be associated with discomfort, and in the end you will have to return to the previous convenient option.

Another potential inconvenience is the ugly lid, which loves to land on the seat with a crash, especially at 3 am. To combat this evil, they invented seats with microliftproviding the lid with a "soft fit".

Now about aesthetics. It's not for me to teach you the style of the interior, but still, before you bump into “that beautiful one with patterns, kittens, gold and rhinestones,” just imagine how it will look in your toilet. If it is decorated with patterns, kittens, gold and rhinestones, I have no further questions.

I'll talk about materials a little later, but for now, just keep in mind that strength is important.You can think of yourself as any kind of fluff, but the seat has to withstand the weight of this fluff every day.

Plus, I will again return to the falling lid, on which cracks may appear from impacts, and again I will remind you of the existence of microlifts.

Hygiene is our everything, especially if two or more people live in the house. But even if you live alone and do not allow guests to approach your throne, you still have to clean the toilet and clean the seat from germs. Therefore, it must be resistant to chemical cleaning agents and have a comfortable shape, without hard-to-reach places for rags.

How to replace yourself

To properly install the toilet lid, follow these steps:

1. Remove the old seat by unscrewing the mountings. The bolts are located at the bottom, on the side of the drain tank.
2. Place the new lid on the toilet, place it opposite the mounting holes and tighten the fasteners.
3. If products with extended functionality are installed, then in this case you will first have to fix the plate near the mounting holes, and then screw the cover onto the bolts.
4. If necessary, an extension cord must be connected to the toilet to connect the heating.

If a bidet is being installed, then a separate pipe with cold water will have to be brought to the tap. In this case, install according to the attached instructions.

Installation or normal

A toilet installation is an installation structure that is hidden in the wall or behind decorative wall panels. Installation of the installation is convenient if there is a need to install a single compositional background for the toilet bowl.

Installations are of two types:

1. Blocky. It is a block mount that is mounted into the wall.
2. Framed. This is a stand, which is installed behind a decorative wall, fixed to the floor.

Installations are in demand if there is sufficient space in the bathroom, as well as the ability to install a reliable, durable toilet bowl made of materials that do not have to be changed periodically.

Material

The product can be made of various materials:

• Plastic. The most popular option, which is notable for its low cost. The upper part of the structure is a smooth plastic coating, there are stiffening ribs inside. Due to the fragility of plastic and its susceptibility to damage, the product quickly loses its original appearance.
• Plastic lined with fabric. There are both stylish products and tasteless cheap options. The advantage is the softness of the seat, which makes it very comfortable to sit on the toilet. A tangible drawback is the fragility of the material. Usually, the sheathing starts to come off very quickly.
• Duroplast. A more expensive type of plastic. The price is justified by the attractive appearance, durability of the product. The composition contains special antibacterial additives that reduce the risk of spreading germs.
• Plywood. Cheap and at the same time very durable material. Plywood seats have been used for a very long time, so they are often present in old houses. Currently, such products are practically not presented in stores due to their unattractive appearance.
• Wood. Well-made seats look expensive and attractive. The disadvantage is significant weight. If the toilet seat falls sharply onto the toilet, the equipment may be damaged.

Most often, plastic is used to make the bezel - a durable material with a beautiful appearance

Taking care of children

If there is a small child in the apartment, then you need either to install an additional toilet, which is very expensive and not practical, or to adapt your toilet for children. The baby cover should have a smaller opening, a bright color and a "warm" surface.

At the moment, in the store you can find special children's models that are installed over the usual seat.In addition, there are universal seats that include a cover, a seat for children and adults. In this case, the toilet seat can be folded back together with the lid, or, on the contrary, the entire structure can be closed. However, this option is more expensive, so the best solution is to buy a separate seat for the child, which can be removed and installed at any time.

Types of seats

Advances in technology in the plumbing industry allow the consumer to choose seats according to their needs and capabilities. Chairs are divided into categories according to their purpose:

• soft;
• plastic;
• with microlift;
• with built-in bidet;
• heated;
• automatic;
• children;
• disposable;
• universal.

Soft

The most suitable option for the home is a soft toilet seat. It is pleasant to the touch, unpretentious in operation. But the service life of such a product is extremely short due to the leatherette coating, which often breaks.

Plastic seat

A seat made of plastic is also not very expensive and is more durable than a soft one. A nuance should be taken into account - the toilet seat mount is also made of plastic, and it quickly breaks down from constant use. Therefore, it is advisable to choose the option with metal mounts when buying.

Microlift

The microlift system avoids the noisy lowering of the lid. This results in less damage to the surface of the seat itself. This device has only one drawback - its high cost. You should not buy it if there are small children - they will definitely try to close the lid forcibly, which will lead to a breakdown of the system.

With bidet function

The bidet seat is designed like a regular bidet and saves space in the washroom. Some units can independently heat water. The price of such a device is rather big, but it is justified by its convenience.

Heating function

Heated covers can be equipped with both regular seats and toilet seats with microlift and bidet. The price of a warm seat depends on the functionality.

With brains

The automatic or smart seat is equipped with a motion sensor. When approaching it, the lid rises and also automatically drops after the person leaves. Its cost is much higher than the rest, but lovers of comfort will surely appreciate it.

For kids

Toilet lids for children occupy a special place in the category of plumbing accessories. This is correct, since a child's successful toilet training depends on what he will sit on. This category distinguishes:

• Normal seat. It is distinguished from an adult only by the smaller diameter of the inner space.
• Anatomical - conforms to the shape of a baby pot and is equipped with fasteners. Before removing the lid from the toilet, you must disconnect these fasteners.
• Throne - has a soft base, palm rests and steps that fit closely to the toilet. This seat will provide maximum comfort and safety for the child.
• Travel - necessary for travel where you plan to use a public toilet. The diameter changes according to the desired size.

Hygienic pads

Hygienic toilet seats are interchangeable. They are used at work, in public toilets, in hotel rooms. In some large hotels or business centers, you can see disposable toilet seats, which are equipped with automatic feeding of clean pads and removing them after use. Such devices significantly increase the prestige of the organization in which they are installed. Disposable toilet covers are inexpensive, and their convenience is difficult to overestimate.

Universal

The universal toilet seat is in great demand. Combines several options at once with different diameters. There is a double toilet seat or triple. It is also called family, because each family member eventually has an individual toilet seat.Such covers are usually made of duroplast and have metal fasteners. Therefore, their service life is quite long, and the price is relatively low.

Upgraded designs

Double seat

This toilet seat cover consists of two adult and child seats, both of which are fastened to the cover.

The family model is made both from one material and in combination with another. For example, the cover and seat for an adult are plastic, and for a child with foam rubber and fabric upholstery with bright pictures.

Smooth lowering function

Smooth lowering of the cover is carried out by installing a microlift. This mechanism performs several tasks:

• returning the top of the toilet seat to a horizontal position without human effort;
• elimination of a sharp drop of the cover and damage to ceramic equipment.

It is important not to make unnecessary efforts when using such a cover, as the mechanism breaks easily. There is another model with the ability to disable and enable the microlift

Automatic temperature control

These toilet lids are made from thermosetting plastic. In addition to its advantages, this material has a disadvantage. It consists in the fact that in a poorly heated room the seat becomes cold.

Foam rubber is used to insulate the toilet seat, but it deteriorates relatively quickly when compared with a polymer base.

A more durable option provides for the integration of an electric heating. Thus, the accessory can be used in a cold extension of a private house, in an outdoor toilet in the country.

Another heating option involves the presence of a mat. By its structure, it resembles a home heating pad. Place it on the lid.

Automatic temperature control in both cases is carried out by the control unit. This can be a switch, a mode switch, or a built-in sensor that is configured using a button block.

Specialized cover

As a rule, this toilet seat is equipped with adjustable or stationary handrails made of metal elements. The seat can be initially high, or it can also be equipped with a lifting mechanism.

Smart design

The combined multifunctional device is equipped with various sensors and can be operated using the whole unit or the remote control. Such an accessory is actively used in the “Smart Home” system.

Here's what can be built into this toilet seat:

• room temperature and water temperature sensors in the bidet tank;
• a sensor that reacts to human movements (approaching - the lid rises, removed - falls);
• self-cleaning mechanism under adjustable water pressure;
• hydromassage system;
• bidet.

The unique device is in fact a whole hygienic complex. It can replace several individual devices and take up very little space. The only drawback in this is the high cost.

Knowing how to choose a toilet lid based on dimensions, materials and technical innovations allows you to go beyond the classic white plastic. A simple accessory can become a decorative element of the interior and a useful multifunctional device.

How to choose by size?

This feature can lead to annoying errors. As mentioned above, the best option if the product is slightly larger than the toilet itself.

Next, you need to tackle the issue of strength, because only she will provide durability.

To do this, pay attention to the quality of materials, read reviews of the selected model, and also make sure that there is no damage, which may be cracks, chips

Comfort in use. This applies not only to a suitable shape, but also to checking for the sharpness of the closing sound - it annoys many users

Additionally, it is worth paying attention to checking for the presence / absence of roughness, chipping, because such shortcomings are a significant disadvantage. Functionality, which must fully meet the requirements of the potential buyers themselves. Aesthetics. The lid, in addition to what the future owners should like, must fit into the interior of the bathroom