How to choose a toilet seat instead of a broken one? What toilet seat to complete the new compact? Let's try to conduct an express analysis of the modern market. The article, of course, will contain a number of subjective assessments, so you should not take it as an absolute truth. So, let's go.
Shape and size
The main requirement for the seat is, of course, compliance with the shape and size of the toilet bowl. The edge of the toilet seat should not protrude beyond the rim by more than a centimeter, otherwise its life will be insultingly short.
By the way: for the vast majority of well-known plumbing brands, it is easy to find seats and covers made just for them.
Compliance with model ranges is usually described on the manufacturer's website.
How to choose a toilet seat that will fit its shape and size as accurately as possible? All you need is to make its template on thick paper or any other material. It is enough to circle the contour of the seat or rim, fold the sheet and come with it to the store.
Material
How to choose a toilet seat according to the material used for its manufacture? Let's start with an overview of the options.
PVC
One of the most common plastics, PVC is popular primarily for its chemical resistance, rigidity, and low cost. If you need the most inexpensive and durable (of course, in the absence of rough mechanical influences) seat, it will be an excellent choice.
Polyethylene
The elasticity of this plastic has both positive and negative sides.
The polyethylene seat and cover are almost impossible to break. With a deforming load, the product will simply bend, and after it is removed, it will return to its original state.
The downside of this quality is that under the heavy weight of the visitor, the seat can bend. It is quite unpleasant to touch the cold faience under it.
Curiously, polyethylene is often used to make pads on the underside of PVC seats.
The resiliency is especially useful here: it dampens the impact when the seat falls on the rim, saving both from damage.
Polypropylene
Lightweight, hard and extremely durable plastic. It is used, among other things, for the production of . It is somewhat more expensive than PVC and polyethylene; however, due to its hardness, it scratches much less and retains a presentable appearance longer.
Duroplast
Duroplast (or, more precisely, duroplast - from English durable) is a whole class of polymers, the hardening of which is accompanied by an irreversible chemical reaction. Another name is thermoplastics.
While all of the polymers listed above are thermoplastics that can be melted after casting and recycled, cured Duroplast does not melt or dissolve in most organic solvents.
The appearance of the duroplast seat is more like not plastic, but a stone monolith. Manufacturers often exacerbate this impression by using appropriate dyes.
The advantages of the material are obvious:
- It is extremely scratch resistant., falling small objects and other minor household adversities.
By the way: hardness and strength are provided not only by the chemical composition of the thermoset itself, but also by a large amount of filler.
In this role are chalk, soot and fiberglass.
- The polymer is non-combustible. Yes, a toilet fire is an extremely rare force majeure situation; however, against the background of the same polyvinyl chloride, which, when heated, decomposes with the release of slightly toxic hydrogen chloride, this is a definite plus.
- Finally, the main argument for most buyers is an attractive appearance.. Moreover, it lasts indefinitely.
Soft seats
This category includes a whole family of products with varying degrees of pretentiousness with soft padding and vinyl coating. Plasticized PVC was chosen for its hygiene: a soiled toilet seat can be easily cleaned with any detergent.
Wood
Actually, it is difficult to add something to the description. Noble wood can be used; however, cheap spruce and pine are most often used. The seat is usually glued: a solid tree of complex shape is afraid of chips.
Material - glued wood.
Plywood
These products were popular half a century ago and now retain their positions. An oval (often open at the front) with rubber seals at the bottom is usually attached to the toilet with polyethylene liners.
After exploring what a toilet seat can be - how to choose the best one?
- If the only criterion is maximum cheapness, our choice is PVC. The material is quite hygienic and durable.
- In the category “we buy without looking at the price”, the leader is duroplast. Its beauty and strength deserve only praise.
Definitely not worth buying products made of plywood, wood and with a soft seat.
Why?
Nice extras
When deciding which and how to choose a toilet lid, you will surely come across a couple of additional features offered by manufacturers.
