Like most sanitaryware, toilets are available in a range of shapes and sizes, but a standard size is around 40 - 41cm from floor to seat. However, the range of toilet designs is bigger than you probably imagined. There are traditional style high-level toilets and low-level toilets, back-to-wall and wall-hung versions, close-coupled toilets in traditional and contemporary styles, and for those who are looking for something a little different, even corner toilets are available.
So there are different toilet types in the world as following:
Traditional Toilets.
A typical example of a traditional-style toilet is where the toilet cistern is positioned high up on the wall and connects to the toilet pan by way of a flushpipe. This is called a high-level toilet and the flush is activated by a pull chain. The flush is very efficient because gravity helps to increase the force and speed of the water.
Unlike authentic period pieces which were made from lead and heavy metals, today's equivalent pan and cistern are usually made from ceramic, although some manufacturers supply cisterns made from steel or cast iron. The cistern must be fixed firmly to the wall - there may be decorative brackets beneath it but you should not rely on these alone to support the weight of the cistern and the water inside.
High-level and low-level toilets are probably what most people think of when you say traditional-style but they do come in other styles too.
Close-coupled toilets, where the cistern sits directly on top of the pan, can also be traditional depending on the shape and design. A landscape cistern, which is wide and rectangular with a handle on the front is considered a more traditional design than a portrait cistern, which is tall and slim and probably has a push-button flush on the top.
Contemporary toilets.
A wall-hung toilet is probably the most contemporary or modern design of toilet. It appears to float on the wall and the cistern is usually hidden in a furniture unit or within a stud wall. One major advantage to this is the freedom it offers to set the pan at a comfortable height, although since the pan is suspended it should be supported by a strong metal frame within the wall or unit.
The design of the toilet is usually very sleek, or perhaps a very striking shape, and has very little in the way of fussy or over-detailed features - the trend is very much for the minimalist approach where less is more. However, even if the toilet stands on the floor it can still be considered contemporary particularly if the cistern is portrait, i.e. is tall and slim rather than wide and rectangular. It most probably has a push-button on the top which activates the flush, and this may be a split into two so that you can choose a short flush and reduce the amount of water you use.
Alternative Toilets.
Another style of toilet which might appeal to you is a back-to-wall toilet. This is very similar to a low-level toilet in that the cistern connects to the pan by way of a short flushpipe, but the cistern and all the pipework are concealed within a furniture unit or stud wall. Since the cistern and pipework are not on show, you can keep costs down by using plastic pieces rather than ceramic and metal plated versions.
Comporting Toilets.
Composting is simply nature's method of renewing and preserving itself. In nature, decayed organic material, whether plant or animal, gradually decomposes and becomes either water or enriched soil, very much like your garden compost. Read more.
Portable Toilets.
All portable toilets have an unique integrated swivelling pour-out spout and a pressure release button to ensure splash free emptying of the waste holding tank. The level indicator shows when the holding tank is nearly full. Special sanitation products are required to ensure an effective operation of the toilet system and to offer an optimum performance. Read More.
