The Bathroom Breakdown: How To Choose The Perfect Toilet
When it comes to a bathroom renovation, choosing tiles, tapware, or a vanity usually steals the spotlight - but let’s be honest, the toilet is the most important part of the room. Even though it’s not the most glamorous part of the process, picking the right toilet can save you from plumbing headaches, installation hiccups, and daily annoyances down the line. This guide breaks down the key features, terms, and styles you’ll come across, so you can choose a toilet that not only works perfectly for your space but looks great doing it.
Breaking down toilet terminology
The diagram below provides a helpful reference as you read through the blog.
P Trap or S Trap?
Knowing where the waste pipe enters your house to connect to your toilet is important as it determines whether you need a P-trap or S-trap toilet, and can limit the styles of toilets you can choose from.
- S-traps, resemble the letter "S". This means that the waste pipe comes from the toilet and exits through the floor.
- P-traps have a "P" shape. This means that the waste pipe comes from the toilet and exits through the wall. This means, for example, that a wall-hung toilet works in a bathroom with a waste trap in the floor, as all plumbing must be inside the wall.
However, newer model back-to-wall toilets can have either an S or P trap as they are designed to be more universal.
The waste exit is movable depending on the level of renovation happening in your bathroom. But as always, come in store to ask and always check with your registered plumber before purchasing a toilet.
If you are still a little confused, we have written a more detailed blog on S & P Traps here you can check out here.
Water inlets on toilets
A water inlet on a toilet is the point where fresh water enters the cistern to refill it after each flush. It is connected to your home’s plumbing and controls the flow of water using a valve and float mechanism.
Water inlets are typically located in one of two places:
- Bottom inlets, which come up from the floor and connect underneath the cistern
- Back or side inlets, which connect through the back or the side of the cistern near the top.
The location matters because it affects installation, appearance, and compatibility with different toilet models. Regardless of placement, the water inlet ensures the cistern fills to the correct level so the toilet can flush properly each time.
In wall systems
An in-wall system hides the cistern and plumbing inside the wall and leaves only the bowl and flush plate visible. This creates a cleaner, more minimal look and is great for small bathrooms or modern designs.
Toilet Style Options
Back-to-wall toilets
The Villeroy & Boch Subway 2.0 Back-to-Wall Toilet is probably what you would consider your ‘typical toilet’ where the toilet sits flush against the wall, hiding the pipes and making cleaning easier.
Close-coupled toilets
Common in older homes, this design has the cistern attached to the bowl but not sitting against the wall, leaving a visible gap. Inlets and traps are often more visible with this style. With some models, you can see the P-trap or S-trap moulded into the ceramic of the bowl.
Comfort height toilets
If you’re a family of basketball players, this is the toilet for your home. A ‘comfort height’ or 'over-height' toilet, like the Villeroy & Boch O.Novo 2.0 Over Height Suite has a taller pan, so it’s easier to use for people who are on the taller side or even those with joint issues, as it makes standing and sitting easier on the knees. This is also a great option for homes with people who have knee or hip problems, as the toilet bowl is higher.
Wall-hung toilets
As the name suggests, it’s a toilet that is hung from the wall. Check out this V&B Subway 2.0 Wall-Hung Suite, these toilets have no ground support and are connected to the studs in the wall. A lot of people are concerned about this style of toilet and if it will fall off the wall – don’t worry wall-hung toilets are installed to withstand A LOT of weight. If it ever falls off, your whole wall is coming with it - and then you’ve got bigger problems!
Depth of the toilet
Funny story: someone once bought a toilet, had it installed, and only after the plumber left, discovered the bathroom door wouldn’t close because the pan projected too far out! We wouldn’t want that to happen to you, so it’s something to consider when purchasing a toilet. Visit your local Chesters Showroom to check out our selection of compact toilets. These have a shorter pan projection and were designed for those tight spots that you need to fit a toilet in. The Villeroy & Boch O.Novo Back-to-Wall Compact Toilet Suite is a great option for a smaller space.
Extras To Consider
Direct Flush - the ultimate in hygiene
No toilet rim = no place for bacteria to hide, which is why rimless toilets are so great! Villeroy & Boch's design creates a splash-free water flow that ensures the entire inside of the bowl is rinsed.
Ceramic Plus - dirt-resistant surface
Villeroy & Boch use a special finish on their ceramic, which repels dirt and is scratch-resistant, making their ceramic products (not just toilets) more durable for everyday wear and tear.
AntiBac - lasting protection against bacteria
To reduce the growth of bacteria, microparticle silver ions are embedded into the glaze of the toilet ceramic. This creates an antibacterial effect and reduces the growth of bacteria by 99.9%. Great feature to have for a toilet!
Toilets may not be the most riveting topic, but they play a huge role in how comfortable, functional, and futureproof your bathroom will be. Understanding the basics - from trap types and water inlets to style options and bonus features - helps you make a choice you’ll be happy living with for years. And if you’re still unsure, pop into your local Chesters showroom; we’re always here to help you find the perfect fit for your space (and make sure your bathroom door still closes afterwards!).