How Many Types of Toilet / Water-Closet ?
First thing first, toilet or water closet? According to Wikipedia, a toilet is a piece of hardware used for the collection or disposal of human urine and feces. In other words: "Toilets are sanitation facilities at the user interface that allow the safe and convenient urination and defecation. Toilets can be with or without flushing water (flush toilet or dry toilet).
The water closet, with its origins in Tudor times, started to assume its currently known form, with an overhead cistern, s-bends, soil pipes and valves around 1770.
There you have it! Both Toilets and Water Closet basically mean the same thing. "WC" as the most commonly recognized symbol for washroom / bathroom, is an initialism for "water closet". Now you know!
There are few, if any, home elements that get more use than your toilet. Your water-closet needs to be comfortable, functional and fit your bathroom’s design.
Fortunately, toilets have come a long way over the years, now offering numerous types, designs, functions and flushing capabilities. This short guide should take you through all the key features of each style, helping you choose which one is best for your bathroom.
1. Two-piece Toilets
This is perhaps the style of toilet you will most commonly find in Asia these days. The two-piece toilet consists of a separate tank and bowl whereas the one-piece toilet will have the tank molded with the bowl as one whole unit. You can tell the difference by looking at the joint between the tank and the bowl. A clear seam is visible on the two-piece toilet, and there’s none for the one-piece toilet. The main advantage of the two-piece design is you can replace the tank and bowl separately. If the tank is broken, you will need to replace the tank, likewise for the bowl.
The joint area of the two-piece toilet can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria if left unclean over time. And it is difficult to clean the area thoroughly without removing the tank. Besides, there is the risk of leaks between the tank and bowl if the tank is not installed back properly.
In terms of price, these range from as little as S$200 up to around S$1000 at the higher end of the spectrum. Typically, the most common price range is between S$200 and S$600; it is always wise to invest in quality for a product that could last for such a long time.
2. One-piece Toilets
Looks is everything. Yes, the one-piece toilet is better in appearance; it has the modern feel. While one-piece and two-piece toilets serve the same purpose, they both come with their own set of pros and cons. The one-piece toilet is easier to clean because there is no gaps or joint between the toilet tank and the bowl. And its a lot more hygienic since there is no place for dirt and grime to gather. Most people choose one-piece design mainly for this reason.
While the one-piece toilet doesn’t quite have the market volume like the two-piece, its production cost is higher in comparison. The more complex production process of the one-piece toilet is also a factor.
But still, the one-piece design is affordable for most consumers. The price ranges from S$400 up to over $1500 for some higher-end models.
3. Wall-hung Toilets
If you’re short on space, a wall-hung toilet is ideal. These toilets are mounted on the wall, with the tank hidden inside the wall. Therefore, all you see is the bowl and flush plate. As you might expect, wall-hung toilets feature a superior, modern design.
Because of this compact build and the bowl being suspended off the floor, these toilets are perhaps the easiest to clean, since you can reach all around it as well as underneath it. This space underneath the toilet will create the illusion of your bathroom suite appearing bigger than it is. For this reason, wall-hung toilets may well be the best solutions for small bathrooms
These toilets require mounting onto a chair bracket frame to keep them secure, and if they are correctly installed, they will be incredibly sturdy, so you needn’t worry about them falling off – they are built to withstand approximately 200kg!
Because of the concealed cistern and the requirement of a chair bracket frame, wall-hung toilets are perhaps best suited in brand new or remodelled bathrooms rather than as a replacement for an existing toilet. This is because they need to be installed within the wall itself and therefore need a lot of work on the wall during installation.
Wall hung toilets are costlier than standard toilets but are available at many price points. Prices may range from under S$400 up to over S$2000 for the toilet and between S$400 to S$1000 for the concealed cistern.
4. Back-to-Wall Toilets
If you’re after a toilet which is both space-saving and contemporary, a back to wall toilet may be perfect. These have the toilet bowl fixed firmly against the wall, while the cistern – usually sold separately - is concealed in the wall itself, accessible through a flush panel fitted into the wall. The pipes are concealed along with the cistern, making it the ultimate in neat and tidy bathroom fittings. By just having the toilet bowl on show, this creates a real sense of space in the room, leaving the bowl in the ideal position for cleaning and maintenance.
Back to wall toilets do not require any support from a frame – they slot into the corner where the wall meets the floor, fitted firmly against both. This provides the security of a fitted toilet without the added hassle of installing a frame, leaving you with an elegant toilet which is both functional and stylish.
Interestingly, back-to-wall toilet have never been popular in Singapore. Perhaps it is due to its similar functions and cost when compare with wall-hung toilets.
This quick guide should give you all the vital information, from what kinds of toilet there are, to how much you could spend. Hopefully, this will help you find the perfect choice for your bathroom suite.