Whether you are looking to buy a toilet seat for your new house or a replacement one because yours is broken, you might think that getting the right toilet seat is easy. However, there are a few things you need to think about to ensure you buy the correct toilet seat. Before you rush out to the nearest hardware store, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Shape and Size
The shape and size of the toilet seat will probably have already been made for you because you may already have an existing toilet. The main consideration for the size is whether you need a round or elongated (oval) toilet seat.
To know the exact dimensions of the new toilet seat, you will need to do some measuring. The three measurements you need are the distance between the two mounting points of the seat, the length of the widest and longest sides of the seat. For round seats, the latter two measurements will be the same or close enough.
Soft Close Toilet Seats
Now that you know the size of the seat you need, you can start thinking about other factors, such as whether you need soft close toilet seats. These are seats that are fitted with hinges that close very slowly. This ensures that the toilet does not bang loudly when you need to close it. Soft close toilet seats are a great option if you have pets and small children who might be frightened by the banging sound.
Soft close toilet seat hinges also improve the longevity of the seat and toilet and prevent fingers from getting trapped when the seat closes.
Materials
Toilet seats are usually made from wood or plastic. Wood seats are best suited for traditional toilets and come in a variety of finishes and colors to best match the rest of your bathroom.
Plastic toilet seats are a lot more common because they are cheaper, and the seats can be molded onto a variety of shapes. Additionally, plastic toilet seats match most toilets, which is another reason why they are preferred.
When shopping for plastic toilet seats, you might hear the terms Thermoplast and Thermoset. Thermoset toilet seats are made from a synthetic resin and catalyzer which makes them scratch-resistant and easy to clean.
Thermoplast toilet seats are made from synthetic resin and are therefore lighter than thermoset plastic toilet seats. They are also prone to scratches and dust can accumulate on them and make them harder to clean. Because of these reasons, Thermoplast toilet seats are cheaper.
Durability
Durability will largely depend on the type of material you choose. A wooden toilet seat will generally last longer than a plastic one because you do not have to deal with it getting scratches or cracking unless it is of poor quality.
A toilet seat can hold its own, especially where the shower or tub is located close to the toilet. The moisture from the tub or shower can lead to the deterioration of a wooden toilet seat, so a plastic seat is a better option in these instances.
Comfort
Your toilet seat should be comfortable enough, especially for the elderly and new moms. If you are installing a new toilet, an elongated one is considered by a lot of people to be more comfortable, although that choice might not be up to you if the toilet is already installed.
Second, wooden toilet seats do not get as cold as plastic toilet seats and they may be the better option depending on your preferences. Padded toilets have become very common and they can make the seat softer and therefore more comfortable. A padded seat is also warmer than one without padding.
Appearance
If you want your toilet seat to fit the overall decor of your bathroom (Bio Bidet BB 2000, is a great choice), there are several options to choose from at your local hardware. The most obvious thing you should consider is its color. For most people, a white or black toilet seat will suffice.
Some toilet seats will also come with some LED lights attached to light up the bathroom when you need to go in the middle of the night.
Ease of Installation
If you have the right tools and skills, you should be able to install the toilet seat in about half an hour. However, the ease of installing the seat will depend on the attachments that come with the seat as well as the hinges.
If you cannot find installation instructions by reading reviews of the seat you purchase, it is always a good idea to call a plumber or other contractor to install the seat for you.
Choosing the right toilet seat is a lot more complicated than most people realize, However, once you know the size of the seat and have decided on the materials, everything else depends on your preferences and you can take things easy at this stage.
