The dimensions of the toilet seat: how to measure and choose?

If you live in an apartment where everything was ready for your installation: repairs, communications, a bathroom with a toilet, which had a lid with a seat, and all other devices for a normal person’s life, this is wonderful. For now, you don’t need to worry about anything. But some time passes, and you find that the toilet seat has "outlived" its own, so an urgent need for replacement. And how to choose the right product for your existing toilet, we will consider in this article.

It is most logical to first select a toilet seat according to the shape and size of the bowl, and only then look at the material, convenience, additional functions, design and quality of the product. Besides, You should immediately determine what types of toilet seat you are interested in in a constructive way - universal or model.

These seat options are suitable for almost all standard toilet designs. The main thing is that they match their shape and size. For example, square seats should not be purchased in a rounded bowl shape, or, on the contrary, rounded seats will be irrationally attached to square shaped bowls. The produced toilet models have certain standard dimensions for the height, width and length of the bowl, as well as the thickness of the rim and the distance of the holes for mounting the seats. All standard sizes are summarized in tables, to which manufacturers of accessories for sanitary equipment are oriented.

An interesting group of universal seats, which are often called family seats. They are a folding set consisting of 4 elements - three seats of various sizes and a common cover. Seats are suitable for family members with different ages and equipment.

But instances of the model range of toilet seats, which are usually complete with toilets and intended only for a narrow range of modifications of this sanitary product or only for a specific model, will be difficult to find for replacement. Such toilet seats are usually unusual shape and non-standard sizes, and are made for the same non-standard toilets.

To search and buy a new seat, it is recommended either to make a model of the old product, or to take some measurements of the toilet bowl, then to determine the correct size of the toilet seat. The layout is done exactly in accordance with the dimensions of the old seat, and if it is not, then with the dimensions of the toilet bowl. Even a small mistake can lead to the fact that the purchased product does not fit the toilet. For the layout, thick paper or cardboard is taken, on which the external dimensions of the old seat are circled and then cut with scissors.

How to take measurements, we will describe below.

1. Measure the distance between the mounting holes with which the seat will be mounted. The standard distance should be 150 mm (plus / minus 5 mm).
2. Determine the distance from the axis of the centers of the mounting holes to the extreme point in front of the toilet bowl. Here the standards are very different (for example, 430 mm).
3. Measure the widest part of the toilet on the outside. Also, the value varies depending on the model (for example, 367 mm).
4. Measure the rim of the bowl with respect to its width. This is necessary to accurately determine the width of the base of the seat.

It will not be superfluous to measure the internal dimensions of the opening of the bowl (along the length and width of the toilet bowl). For example, there is such a standard: 280x220 mm, respectively.

When choosing a toilet seat by size, it should be taken into account (for reasons of hygiene) that it should be about 10 mm wider than the rim of the toilet bowl. There are several types of seats in size.

1. Standard - These are ordinary seats that are installed in new buildings with a turnkey finish. They are intended for adult family members, but teenagers also use them.
2. Baby - they can be installed on standard seats at the moment when the baby wants to use the toilet, and then they are cleaned. There are other constructive options, including folding ones, necessary for traveling or long trips on both personal and public transport.
3. Special - are made for people with disabilities. As in the case of children's seat options, they have various modifications - folding, with handles and so on. Such models are being developed for different categories of people in need.

Here it is worth mentioning again about seat models of universal significance, especially their family variants. They are also different in size, The main thing is to choose the most suitable kit, convenient for all family members.

The video below provides detailed instructions for choosing a toilet seat.