When choosing a toilet, it’s important to first establish the “set-out” required, which is the distance from the wall to the centre of the waste outlet (for S-trap toilet pans where the waste is in the floor). The set-out can vary greatly depending on the age of the house. Most new homes will have a standard set-out of about 140-165mm, which will enable most toilet suites to be installed. However, if the set-out is more that 200mm or less than 100mm, it will limit your choice in the type of toilet you buy. So, first check the set-out, then take the advice of the sales staff on the type of suite which best suits your needs.
Toilet suites come in a variety of styles. A “close-coupled suite” is one where the pan and the cistern are fully integrated to form one complete unit. There is little or no flexibility to vary the set-out. A “link suite” is one where the cistern and the pan are linked only by the flush pipe and by a plastic plate to conceal the flush pipe. The link suite enables greater flexibility as the pan can be moved forwards or backwards to accommodate an unusual set-out.
All new toilet suites sold in Australia are “dual flush, 6/3 litres” which means that six litres of water is flushed into the pan when the full flush button is pressed, and three litres when half flushed. Some are now 4.5/3L.
Pans come in “S-trap” or “P-trap” versions. S-trap pans have the waste outlet in the floor and are common in most Australian houses.
Cisterns come in a range of styles and prices, from china to plastic. You might also consider having a concealed cistern, which means it is placed in the wall and covered with a panel. You must allow access to this panel just in case something goes wrong.
Cisterns also have a bottom or top inlet which means the water enters the cistern or the base, usually from an outlet on the wall or it enters the cistern at the top via specially designed hole at the back so that is concealed from view. Make sure your plumber knows you are installing a tap or bottom inlet cistern, or you could find your water line is in the wrong place.
Consider installing a bidet. They are a common feature in bathrooms in Europe and increasingly popular in Australia.
