The toilet bowl in the modern world belongs to the traditional devices, taken for granted. About its functionality, the principle of operation, as well as the alternatives that can be purchased at the current time, hardly anyone thinks exactly until the moment when the device installed in the dwelling fails. And here the most difficult thing begins – wandering between dozens of different devices scattered around the mall, you need to choose the most suitable device – both in appearance and functionality. Meanwhile, there are a number of key points that you need to pay attention to when choosing such a device. We'll talk about them.
Types of toilets
More recently, no one thought about such a question as the types of toilets. The assortment of stores was rather scarce, and therefore they had to buy what was trivial in stock. However, over time, modern European sanitary ware began to appear on our market, differing not only in function, but also in its appearance. All these features must be taken into account when choosing a specific device.
Installation method
Currently, you can find on sale both classic models of toilets intended for floor installation, and their suspended counterparts. The latter are widely used in small latrines, where installation of a conventional toilet is physically impossible. The design of such devices assumes separate installation – only the sink remains outside, while the drain tank, along with the main mechanism, is mounted in the wall.
Speaking of the need to save space, one cannot fail to note the toilet bowls designed for corner installation. These devices can be mounted both hidden, like suspended ones, or openly, with an external flush tank. Such devices are also great to save space and are an excellent solution even for small latrines.
The matter is not limited to only one traditional toilet bowls. On sale you can find many fundamentally different devices:
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Urinals;
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Bidet;
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Bowls Genoa;
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Devices designed for people with disabilities;
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Children's toilet bowls;
Tank type
This feature directly affects not only the ease of use of a particular device, but also the comfort when transporting and moving the device. Depending on the specific type of cistern, the following types of toilets are distinguished:
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A cistern, which acts as an attachment, separate from the toilet itself;
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The cistern as a whole with the toilet;
The first devices are collapsible, and therefore provide additional convenience during transportation. The latter, on the contrary, are more overall and cumbersome, but the likelihood of leaks or incorrect installation is excluded;
Choosing a drain system
Depending on the drain system used, all devices currently on sale can be divided into two conventional types:
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Toilet bowls with a traditional lever flush system, the main elements of which are a lever mechanism and a volumetric float that shuts off the water when filling the tank. The only advantage of such systems is their low cost, but there are many disadvantages. They are bulky, often fail and begin to leak, and in order to get to the mechanism, it is necessary to dismantle the cover of the drain tank;
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Modern push-button models are devoid of all these shortcomings. Such devices are convenient in operation, they are easy to maintain, and they also allow you to implement a half drainage of water. For this purpose, the button is either divided into two parts, or a double-click mechanism is implemented.
Tank filling method
Currently, there are two main operating algorithms that are popular:
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Filling the tank using the opening located at the top of the device. As the tank fills, the pop-up float fixes a special valve that closes the water-filling channel;
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Tank filling from below. It is found in the most modern devices, its main advantage is its absolutely noiseless filling;
Flush system
All devices on sale can be equipped with one of the following flush systems:
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Vertical drain. It involves the vertical installation of a sewer pipe, and therefore is most often used in private houses;
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Horizontal drain. A system that has proven itself in tenement buildings. A plurality of horizontal drain pipes are connected here to one common pipeline;
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Oblique drain. An outdated system that can only be found in old apartment buildings. Its design is similar to the horizontal one, only the location of the pipes differs;
Toilet bowl material
For a long time, toilets were made of cast iron. Despite its high strength, this material did not stand up to criticism, and therefore, as the production process improved, it was quickly replaced. Its role was played by porcelain, which has a number of key advantages:
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High strength;
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Resistance to mechanical stress;
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Aesthetic appearance and a variety of colors and shades;
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Do not absorb odors;
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Long service life;
At present, faience has become a kind of its analogue. Despite the worst performance characteristics, high porosity and low strength to mechanical stress, this material is in high demand due to its low cost. In addition, covered with several layers of glaze, faience becomes much more functional and practically does not yield to porcelain.
The above materials are the most popular, but the experiments do not stop for a minute. In the catalogs of a number of manufacturers, you can find toilets made of steel, chrome, copper and brass, as well as gold-plated and silver-plated models. Such toilets are very niche devices, and their purchase is based solely on the status and appearance of such a device.
Toilet bowl material
For a long time, toilets were made of cast iron. Despite its high strength, this material did not stand up to criticism, and therefore, as the production process improved, it was quickly replaced. Its role was played by porcelain, which has a number of key advantages:
-
High strength;
-
Resistance to mechanical stress;
-
Aesthetic appearance and a variety of colors and shades;
-
Do not absorb odors;
-
Long service life;
At present, faience has become a kind of its analogue. Despite the worst performance characteristics, high porosity and low strength to mechanical stress, this material is in high demand due to its low cost. In addition, covered with several layers of glaze, faience becomes much more functional and practically does not yield to porcelain.
The above materials are the most popular, but the experiments do not stop for a minute. In the catalogs of a number of manufacturers, you can find toilets made of steel, chrome, copper and brass, as well as gold-plated and silver-plated models. Such toilets are very niche devices, and their purchase is based solely on the status and appearance of such a device.
Additional functions
Here, a number of functions should be highlighted that are not present in all devices, but they have the most direct impact on functionality:
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Microlift;
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anti-splash function;
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Hygienic anti-mud coating;
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Dual-mode flush;
These and many other features have a very direct impact not only on functionality, but also on the final price of the device.
Best plumbing manufacturers
As with the choice of other devices, the purchase of plumbing is, first of all, a choice of products from well-known brands that have proven themselves well over the years:
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Jika (Czech Republic);
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Svedbergs (Sweden)
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Ido (Finland);
Before giving preference to a specific model of a particular manufacturer, it is necessary to study the technical characteristics of a particular model, as well as to get acquainted with the reviews of real buyers who have been using the toilet for some time and highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of this or that model.
In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose the right water meter and the secrets of choosing a kitchen sink.
Toilet bowl selection video
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
