Buying a toilet often comes down to choosing a style that suits the bathroom, ensuite or cloakroom it will be fitted in. But there are other factors to consider, so it’s worth knowing all the options available before buying. 

This guide to buying a toilet will help you decide which one is best for your needs. It looks at the different types of toilets available, including toilet designs and styles. It covers how a toilet system and flush works, explains the different types of toilet systems and seats available, and how to measure a toilet seat. It also highlights the toilet spares and parts you may need and gives tips on installation and maintenance. Finally, it lists things to consider before buying a toilet and answers some frequently asked questions.

View our range of toilets here.

A toilet system consists of a toilet pan, a seat, and a cistern with a flush mechanism. The cistern is connected to the pan, and the pan is connected to a soil pipe that carries wastewater out of the home. 

Something to consider when plumbing in a new toilet is whether it will be fitted in the same place as the old one or whether it will be moved to a new position. Moving the toilet means the soil and cistern filling pipes will need to be rerouted. However, if the toilet is going in the same place as the old one, you’ll still need to check what type of soil pipe the home has to ensure the new toilet is compatible (see the ‘Key considerations when buying a toilet’ section for more information).

A toilet flush system works by releasing a gush of water from the cistern into the pan when the flush mechanism is activated. The gush of water creates an overflow in the pan, which forces the waste material to be sucked into the soil pipe. As the water in the cistern empties, a mechanism triggers the clean water pipe to open and fill the cistern up again, ready for the next flush.

Flush mechanisms can vary, from a traditional lever to a modern push button. Toilet flush buttons are more hygienic than levers because they are easier to clean. They are also quick and easy to fit.  

Push-button flushes often have a dual flush option. This means there are two buttons: a full flush button and a reduced flush button. A reduced flush only uses around half the amount of water compared to a full flush, so it’s an excellent option for saving water and keeping water bills low.

Toilets come in many different designs, from traditional and classic to modern and contemporary styles. So, you’ll always be able to find a toilet to suit any décor. Many people like to match their toilet style and toilet seat colour to their bathroom suite and bathroom décor.

Modern toilets have gentle curves and soft, rounded edges, while contemporary toilets have clean, sharp lines and a minimalistic look, with hidden pipes and cisterns. The modern look can be found among close couple toilet styles, while back to wall and wall hung toilets can be modern or contemporary.

When buying a toilet seat, you must measure the toilet pan first to ensure you get the right size. Follow the instructions below to get the measurements you need:

1. Note the shape: is the toilet round, D-shaped or square?
2. Measure the length/projection from the fixing holes at the back to the front edge.
3. Measure the width from edge to edge.
4. Measure the distance from the fixing holes to the cistern or wall.
5. Measure the distance between the centre of the two fixing holes. 

When buying a toilet, some parts may need to be purchased separately. For example, a back to wall or wall hung toilet will need a concealed cistern and a wall-mounted flush button. And you may need extra parts to aid with installation, such as fixing kits and pan connectors which join the toilet up to the soil pipe. 

There is also a wide range of toilet spares available for when parts need replacing on an old toilet, such as toilet flush valves, replacement levers and float valves. Replacing parts as they wear out is more cost-effective than replacing the whole toilet. 

Replacing or installing a new toilet can be difficult, so a professional plumber who’s experienced in this type of work may be needed. Especially if pipework needs to be rerouted to locate the toilet in a different position. Also, consider that if a wall hung or back to wall toilet is fitted, there’s the additional work of building or knocking through false walls and installing mounting kits. A plumber will ensure everything’s installed and plumbed in correctly so there are no leaks or problems in the future. A professional can usually fit a new toilet in 2-3 hours, depending on the job’s complexity.

Once the toilet is fitted, follow these cleaning and maintenance tasks to keep it looking like new:

• Regularly clean the toilet with a porcelain-safe household cleaner.

• Avoid using the cleaning tablets that go in the cistern as, over time, they can damage the flush mechanism.

• Check for leaks, such as water flowing into the cistern’s bowl, and get them repaired as soon as possible (they waste vast amounts of water and increase water bills).

• Don’t put anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet, as this can lead to clogged drains.   

The information above will help to narrow down your choice of toilet. But there are a few more things to consider before making your final decision: 

1. What space do you have in the bathroom?
   Before buying a toilet, make a scale drawing of the bathroom so you can see where it will fit and how much floor space there will be once all the other items are drawn. Don’t forget to consider how far the toilet will project into the room, taking into account the depth of the cistern if you’re fitting a close coupled toilet. And ensure there’s enough space in front and to the sides of the toilet to allow someone to sit on it comfortably. 

2. What is the soil pipe direction?
   A soil pipe is an outlet that takes wastewater out of a home when the flush is activated. The toilet is connected to the soil pipe via a pan connector (or waste connector). When choosing a toilet, check the height and position of the existing soil pipe to see if the new toilet can connect to it. For example, close coupled toilets can be connected to a soil pipe horizontally, vertically, or to the left or right, which means they will work with any existing soil pipe. However, back to wall and wall hung toilets can only connect to soil pipes horizontally or vertically.  

3. Do you need to change plumbing connections?
   If you’re putting a new toilet in the same position as an old one, you may be able to use the same plumbing connections that are already in place, such as the pan/waste connector and the pipes and fittings that join the cistern to the freshwater supply. But not all toilets take the same fittings, so check if you need new ones.

4. What about water efficiency?
   An eco-friendly toilet is a smart choice for protecting the environment and saving money on water bills. Water-efficient toilets are those that feature a dual flush. They have two buttons, or one-button split in half. The large button triggers a full flush, while the smaller button triggers a reduced flush which typically uses half the amount of water.

5. Do you need a matching bathroom suite?
   If you’re completing a full bathroom renovation, you may consider buying a bathroom suite rather than buying the toilet separately. A suite consists of a toilet, basin and bath. Purchasing a suite makes it much easier to ensure all the items match in design and style.