How To Choose The Proper Toilet Seat

If you’ve never bought a toilet seat for your bathroom before, it can be quite tricky. There are a few things you need to consider, such as shape, material, and so on. You don’t want to spend your money on the wrong toilet seat. In this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about buying a new seat for your toilet.

Measurement

One of the crucial mistakes you can make is to buy a toilet seat of the wrong size. That’s why you should always measure your toilet bowl when buying a new seat.

First, measure the seat’s length from the front to the bolts, but make sure to take the measurement down to the center of the bowl. You might need to remove the plastic covers to see the bolts.

Then, measure the distance between the bolts and the back of the seat. It might happen that flaps cover the bolts, and in that case, pry them up with your fingers. Then, measure the length between the bolts.

Finally, measure the width of the seat. Make sure to measure the length between the outer length of the bowl. The width of the seat is usually standard, but there might be differences between brands. Be sure to check the video below.

SoftClose Feature

Another great thing you should look for in a toilet seat is a SoftClose feature. It prevents unintentional slamming of the seat, which directly affects its lifespan. Although most new toilet seats include this feature, there are still some models that don’t, so keep that in mind. We discovered an interesting blog post about toilet seat features, click here to visit.

Hinges

There are two main types of hinges, and you should buy them according to your toilet. For example, there is a toilet seat that is fixed on top and fitted by two bolts in the pan and is used when the bottom of the pan can be accessed. On a bottom fixing seat, the bolts are tightened from underneath, in which case you will need to have access below the seat. There are also toilet seats with quick-release hinges that allow you to easily remove the seat for cleaning.

Shapes

Another thing you need to consider is the bowl shape. Two main shapes of toilet seats are round and elongated, and obviously, you should buy according to your bowl shape.

You should also know that elongated seats are more expensive, but they also look more modern and are ideal for hotels and restaurants. On the other hand, round seats are more common in most household bathrooms and also cost less.

Materials

Toilet seats are usually made from plastic or wood, and both have their pros and cons. Wooden seats are mostly used for retro-looking toilets and they come in many different shapes and colors. On the other hand, plastic toilet seats are more popular since they are more affordable and widely available.

When looking for a toilet seat, you might notice the terms “thermoset” and “thermoplast”. Made from synthetic resin and a catalyzer, the thermoset is resistant to scratches and very easy to clean. You will also notice that the thermoset seat looks ceramic.

Thermoplast is made from synthetic resin, it’s lightweight, and has a more plastic look. That’s how you can tell thermoplast and thermoset apart. Thermoplast seats are more affordable, but they are not scratch resistant, and dust easily sticks on the surface.

Padded Seat

You might also want to consider buying a padded seat since these offer numerous benefits. For example, a padded seat is an excellent choice for cold winter days and nights, since you don’t have to seat on cold wood or plastic. Padded seats come in a variety of colors and stickers, which is a good way to encourage kids to use the bathroom. These can be a pain to clean though, so make your choice carefully.

Colors

Although black and white are the most popular colors of toilet seats, you will notice that there are plenty of options to choose from. A white seat is more popular since it fits any bathroom decor, and also blends easily with any bathroom fixture.

Conclusion

Buying a new toilet seat can be tricky, but now that you know what to consider, you can easily find the best seat for your toilet. Also, if you want a more affordable seat, you should buy a plastic one. However, if you are ready to pay a bit more for a strong and durable seat, buying a wooden seat is a great choice for your bathroom.