Toilet seat - a simple device with unusual functions (25 photos)
Content
Before choosing a toilet seat, you need to make sure that it meets the following requirements: safe, comfortable, durable, has an attractive appearance.
The stool can have a variety of shapes (rectangular, curly), but the oval is traditional and widespread.
Conventionally, two types of toilet seats can be distinguished:
- model - is included in the plumbing package and is intended only for a specific toilet model. In the event of a breakdown of such a model of a toilet seat (or its fastening), it is sometimes difficult to find a replacement, because the service life of plumbing is longer than that of components, and manufacturers often update the range of toilets;
- universal - which can be installed on any type of plumbing.
Seat material
It is the material of manufacture that determines the usability and aesthetic appearance of the product. Manufacturers offer a wooden toilet seat, plastic, plywood.
Duroplast is a kind of plastic, but is characterized by higher performance: resistant to damage, moisture and odors. It is not affected by ultraviolet and weak acids. A special advantage is the presence in the composition of antibacterial substances that provide reliable protection against bacteria. Naturally, the cost of such products is higher than ordinary plastic.
Plastic toilet seats are the most popular and in demand, due to their low cost. The advantages can also include: low weight, easy care (wash well with cleaning products), resistance to moisture. Among the shortcomings can be distinguished: instability to mechanical stress (easily scratched and can crack with sharp shock), absorb odors.
Plywood models are not in special demand, although such products are environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and durable. So that the seat is fixed at the edges of the toilet bowl and does not move, the lid is equipped with rubber pads. The disadvantages include: outdated appearance, discomfort when touched.
A wooden toilet seat looks more aesthetically pleasing, and in terms of comfort it is not inferior to duroplast. However, significant weight (compared to plastic) is a drawback, since if a wooden toilet seat accidentally falls, then there is a high probability of plumbing damage. In addition, the loud noise from a fallen seat sounds very unpleasant.
The fabric can already be seen more as a decor for the seat. Non-standard look plastic, plywood or duroplastic products, sheathed with textiles. The main disadvantages of such a seat - it gets dirty and wears out quickly.
Toilet Seats: Types and Features
It would seem that such a simple product cannot have many varieties. Nevertheless, manufacturers offer several models of toilet seats:
- a soft propylene seat is the easiest and cheapest toilet design option. The main advantages: softness, comfort in use, low price, a variety of colors and images on the cover.Among the shortcomings are distinguished: the fragility of propylene (the average life of the material is 1 year), the surface layer easily and quickly breaks;
- hard covers have a long service life (determined by the quality and thickness of the material). With careful use, such models have been working properly for several years (especially a wooden toilet seat). A well-known drawback is that the plastic fastenings of the lid to the toilet bowl break quickly and cannot be repaired. As an option, it is recommended to purchase a toilet seat with metal mounts;
- automatic structures raise / lower the toilet lid without human intervention (presence sensor is triggered). Advantages: beautiful appearance, smooth control of the lid is guaranteed, sanitation and hygiene of plumbing are ensured. The main disadvantage is the high price;
- toilet seat with microlift. In such devices, not only the lid, but also the toilet seat automatically rises. These models cannot be called common because of the high price, which is due to the use of expensive materials and devices. Lack of possibilities to regulate the process of raising / lowering the product or manually lowering / raising the cover and toilet seat can also be attributed to disadvantages. Some manufacturers have already foreseen how to disable this function in the toilet seat with a micro-lift;
- special products with a built-in bidet can be additionally equipped with a backlight, water heating and even a hairdryer;
- automatic settings of some designs include self-cleaning, surface heating. Moreover, such devices are usually easily removed and put on plumbing.
Lovers of custom products can choose chairs with modes: automatic aromatization of air, hydromassage, radio.
In unheated rooms, the heated toilet seat provides additional comfort.
Sometimes, for convenient control of such units, special remotes are offered that are fixed on the side of the toilet.
Installing a toilet seat
If the product is just being updated, it is important to carefully remove the old cover so as not to damage the mounting holes on the plumbing. A similar scenario is possible if the fixtures were metal and rusted from moisture. In this case, the bolts are carefully cut with a grinder or a hacksaw for metal. Then the mounting holes are thoroughly cleaned of dirt / rust.
Now the seats are equipped with plastic hinges, which facilitates the process of mounting / dismounting products.
The lid is applied to the toilet, while the fasteners must fit into the corresponding holes. The structure is slightly pushed forward and then the nuts are tightened tightly. Such actions will allow the lid to be in a raised state for a long time.
How to choose a toilet seat?
Some manufacturers offer a toilet with a plumbing fixture. However, if the toilet is not equipped with a seat, then it is easy to purchase it yourself.
- First you need to choose the type of model - soft or hard. It should be remembered that soft products have a short service life.
- In order for the model to perfectly fit the plumbing, you must correctly select it for the toilet in size. In this case, the dimensions of the plumbing are measured: the distance from the center of the mounting hole to the front edge of the toilet bowl, the width of the toilet bowl (from edge to edge). It is also important to measure the distance between the holes for mounting the seat.
- The color of the lid should be in harmony with the color scheme of the room. It is better if the shade of the seat matches the shade of the plumbing, although sometimes a black seat with a white toilet looks very original. The wooden toilet seat is in perfect harmony with any decor.
- For small children, you can choose special lining for the toilet with a picture.
- If you want to put a seat with additional functions (at least with a closer), then you need to understand that each option costs money. When buying such models, you must make sure that the toilet seat with a micro-lift is functional.
If the new plumbing is not equipped with a seat, then you can first install an inexpensive modest model. If you want to equip the toilet with any miracle of technology, you must accurately represent the functional features of the device and be sure to make accurate measurements of the plumbing before purchasing and installing it.
