Covers for the toilet: how to choose?

For comfortable use of the bathroom there is a wide variety of shapes and types of covers with seats. Few people know that the toilet lid is as important as the bezel. Her choice should be approached very carefully, as it is an integral part of the toilet kit.

It would seem that there is nothing easier than choosing a toilet lid. But there are a number of nuances and features that must be considered when purchasing.

First of all, it is necessary to understand what functions it performs. Its main purpose is to protect the surrounding area from the spread of moisture and germs from the toilet during flushing, as well as to contain unpleasant odors.It helps to reduce the noise of water during its discharge.

Covers vary according to the following criteria:

• shape - round, square, oval, model (made to order);
• hardness - soft, hard;
• material - wood, plastic, duroplast;
• destination - children, adults, for people with disabilities;
• Additional features - automatic opening, bidet, the presence of a control panel, and more.

If it is larger or smaller than the toilet, the seat attached to the lid will bend and crack under the weight of the person.

In the XXI century, a set of toilet lid capabilities has become very diverse. Previously, it was only a means of protecting the premises from the spread of toilet bacteria and unpleasant physiological odors. Some specimens can still suppress noise during the discharge of water.

Today it is a complete set of tools for convenient and practically contactless use of the toilet.

Modern and high-tech covers have sensors that respond to humans. When he comes to the toilet, it rises independently. Upon completion of the procedure done, the lid silently lowers. To completely eliminate manual contact, the function of a bidet with heat blow up to complete drying of the skin was invented. Due to this, the individual does not come into contact with the toilet.

There are models where there is a special opening for the bay of flavoring. It is sprayed according to the set time, and the room always smells good and pleasant.

Designers are trying to increase the functionality of the toilet lid at the expense of additional devices so that people can use the toilet as comfortable as possible. One of these options are the supports on the sides of the seat.

If people with a big difference in height live in the house, then a pad with a height adjustment function will be an excellent device.

For lovers of frequent outdoor recreation, there is a portable cover with a toilet seat. It is especially indispensable when there is a small child in a hike or journey.

In the house where there is a cat, there is always a tray for the toilet. To save the apartment from the scattered filler and unpleasant smell, a special pad on the toilet seat was invented. Initially, it has a small hole, to which the pet gradually gets used. Over time, the hole increases (there is a special marking on the cover).

After 2-3 months, this device is completely removed when the cat finally gets used to using the human toilet.

When a small child appears in the family, I want to protect him as much as possible from germs and bacteria. At the age of 4-5 years, children can already use their own “adult” toilet (with a special pad). It is not always certain that the toilet is absolutely clean and does not have various kinds of pollution.

To solve this problem, there is a special mechanism that is built into the toilet. He independently cleans the lid and toilet seat every time after using it. Thanks to this feature, parents can not worry about the cleanliness of the surface with which the baby’s skin comes into contact.

The choice of lid material for the toilet should be approached very carefully, as a person comes into contact with it daily. And also depends on its operational life, the quality of "service" and comfort while using the toilet.

Today in the plumbing stores you can find a huge variety of lids for the toilet bowl, made of various materials (except for metal, it is always cool and unpleasant for human skin). The most common of these is plastic.

Under this name understand polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene.

Housewives celebrate ease of care. Plastic does not absorb water and odors. Due to this, microbes and various fungi do not multiply on the surface of the lid. All dirt and water droplets are easily washed and cleaned with ordinary toilet paper or a sponge.

Wood products are also very popular. Both genuine solid wood and MDF or ordinary plywood can be used to make them.Such lids for the toilet bowl will cost more than plastic. But the price justifies the quality. According to its physical properties, wood is a “warm” material that will only give comfort during use.

But this model has its drawbacks. Wood is pretty heavy stuff. When falling on the rim of the toilet bowl, cracks or chips may form on the lid due to the weight of its own weight.

Duroplast lids have recently appeared on the market. In essence, it is the same plastic, but in structure it is more solid and hardy. This material is not exposed to chemicals for cleaning, food acids, and UV rays.

In this regard, such covers are most often installed in houses and apartments where there are children.

For the manufacture of soft caps, foam rubber is used as a filler, which is covered with an oilcloth with a pattern on top.

According to the rules of selection, the lid and seat must be completely identical with the size of the rim of the toilet bowl. Today there are a huge number of shapes: round, oval, square, in the shape of a heart. The main thing is to close the lid tightly on the toilet seat, otherwise its functions will not be fully implemented.

As for the size, there is also a large selection. The dimensions of the lid are chosen for the physiological characteristics of the person and the size of the plumbing.

Many companies make special covers and toilet seats for small children, which, due to their small size, can fall into a large hole. Such covers have a small diameter and reliably “fix” the child in a sitting position. Very often this product can have a bright and unusual coloring.

To add extra convenience and comfort, designers modify conventional toilet lids into more functional models. For example, in stores you can find a cover-bidet. Here two devices are combined in one, which saves space in the restroom.

As a rule, the lid and toilet seat are raised manually, but there are instances where everything is automated (works on the control panel). This device has a number of sensors and indicators, through which you can adjust the temperature of the water, its pressure, direction and so on. It is very important that the lid be properly connected to the communications (water, electricity). Each time you get up and land on the toilet seat, there is pressure and vibration, which can destroy a poorly installed structure.

On such models, sometimes there is an additional function - drying. Within 2-3 minutes warm air is supplied, which helps to dry the skin after using the bidet.

There is an option for a toilet seat with a heated seat. On the toilet seat there are sensors that respond to touch. As soon as a person begins to use the toilet, the seat heats up. Either the temperature is constantly maintained so as not to have to wait.

Quite often after using the toilet the lid falls off loudly. To solve this problem, there are models with a special closer. Thanks to him, the lid is gently lowered without producing loud sounds.

For families with a child invented an interesting option. For a small user, a small toilet seat is already installed. It easily rises and falls, and also has special apiaries on the inside of the lid. This upgrade is convenient because you do not need to look in children's stores special removable lining for the toilet.

The above modifications can exist separately or be combined, but then the cost of such a “smart” cover will be much more.

As you know, the boundaries of fantasy does not exist. The creative realization of man has not bypassed the lid for the toilet.

Their design can be divided into the following components: color and shape.

If we talk about colors, today manufacturers can make a toilet lid for absolutely any color. According to statistics, most people prefer light colors or absolutely white products. This is due to the association: if white - then clean. But there are also lovers of bright colors.

This option is interesting because the pictures are easily detached, and they can be changed.

For lovers of soft textile seats there are interchangeable covers. They are very easy to put on and take off, to periodically erase from dirt. They can be as a decoration for a holiday (Santa Claus's head, hearts for Valentine's Day) or as a regular removable cover.

In the shops you can find soft lids, upholstered with foam and covered with oilcloth. It can have various textures - pimples, corrugated and ornaments. It all depends on the taste and preferences of the buyer. Sometimes a colored gel with various fillers (plastic fish, glitter, decorative pebbles, etc.) is poured under a transparent oilcloth. When the lid is lowered or raised, you can see how the fish are swimming or the butterflies are fluttering. This is very popular with both children and adults.

On plastic products, very often make convex patterns: flowers, animals, simple patterns. It looks very original and beautiful.

The shape of the toilet lid can also be varied.In addition to standard dimensions - a circle, an oval, a rounded rectangle, they can be in the form of a musical instrument - a guitar, a drum or any animal (face of a dog, cat, horse, etc.). Sometimes on the wooden or plastic cover make the contours of a favorite singer or actor.

An interesting and unusual option with a 3D pattern. When the lid is in a raised position, it seems that, for example, a shark or crocodile has opened its mouth. When it is lowered, the head of the animal peeping out of the water is visible from above.

Recently, models have appeared in stores that glow in the dark. They are equipped with a motion sensor and work from ordinary finger-type batteries. This is very convenient when the house turned off the electricity or do not want to dazzle with a bright light after a long sleep.

When there is a small child, you always want to surprise and please him with something. An unusual and fun addition to the toilet can be a singing children's toilet lid. The kid sits down, and at this time the cheerful melody starts to play.

The time is long past when the stores had only one-type toilets and covers.Today, there is a choice among both Russian and foreign products.

One of the most popular companies for the production of plumbing and accessories is Cersanit. This is a Polish company, which is highly valued by consumers for its excellent quality and long product life. Their lids for the toilet have a large size and model range. They also make bidet seats, heated seats and various other upgrades for comfortable use.

Highly valued and Swedish company Gustavsberg. According to buyers, their products are high-tech and have an affordable price. Most models have the correct anatomical shape of the stool. Due to this, during the procedure, the legs of the individual are not numb.

Not far behind in quality and products Ifo. This is also a Swedish company. Most covers have a convenient fastener - quick release. Thanks to him, you can easily and quickly remove the seat from the toilet and make a high-quality cleaning. It is worth noting that the products of this brand has a high price, but it justifies the quality and durability of the product.

Not less popular company from Turkey is - Vitra. Their products are highly valued both in Russia and abroad. Their products are made mainly of duroplast or real wood. Virtually all models have a microlift and an “intelligent” fastening system.

Connoisseurs of luxury bathroom and toilet accessories can find high-quality, beautiful, and most importantly, reliable toilet lids in the company Laufen. This European company (Switzerland) makes them mainly for hanging toilets with additional modifications. Like most foreign companies, they are perplexed by environmental problems and urge to use bidets to help people use less paper in everyday life.

Czech company will surprise you with high quality and pleasant price. Jika. They are valued for their excellent value for money - quality and comfort. For the production they take environmentally friendly material. The assortment is dominated by classic models without excesses.

In the pricing policy, the Russian company will be very pleased Santek. This company manufactures toilet covers from plastic, duroplast and other materials. Particularly demanding customers can make a cover to order.

If we talk about the Russian brand Sanita luxethen the reviews are ambiguous. Many users note the low price of products, but if you buy cheap plastic lids for the toilet, they serve a maximum of 3-4 years.

At first glance it seems that there is nothing easier than to choose the shape and size of the toilet lid or simply to change it. But in fact, everything is more difficult. Many people take tracing paper and circle the toilet rim along the contour in order to apply various models to the resulting picture. Or remove the old copy from your toilet and go with him to the store.

In order not to complicate this process, the wizards recommend the following sequence of actions:

• measure the distance between the mounting fasteners for the cover;
• measure the segment from the center of the installation hole to the outer edge of the toilet bowl;
• find out the maximum width of the toilet rim on the outer edges.

Having this data it is very easy to find a suitable lid in size. The main thing is that its size exactly matches the rim of the toilet bowl. If the seat is smaller, then under it will constantly accumulate dirt and water deposits.

If it was decided to change the lid with the toilet, it is better to stick to the “factory” option. This accessory will be ideally suited for all sizes and parameters of the toilet. The lid will not "fidget" and stand for the edges of the rim.

Choosing this product, you still need to focus on the external interior of the room. It is better to select color under the general scale of the room.

Once the desired option is selected and purchased, you can proceed to install the cover on the toilet. Anyone can do this, since special skills are not required for this. If the toilet is old, then you must first dismantle the toilet seat that has completed its life.

If everything is good with mounting bolts, they are unscrewed manually. Fasteners are plastic or metal.

It often happens that the nut rusts against time and moisture and is heavily twisted off the bolt thread. You can process it with citric acid and then twist it with your fingers or use pliers and a socket wrench.If these 2 methods did not help, then such fasteners are cut with a regular hacksaw from the inside.

After the old seat with the lid is removed, it is necessary to clean the surface of the toilet bowl and the mounting holes from dirt and debris.

As a rule, everything you need to install a regular set of covers and seats already in the package.

The next step is installation. The lid and the toilet seat are put on the toilet in the closed position and combine the holes for fastening. Screws (most often in the complete set go plastic) are inserted into grooves and twisted by means of a nut. It is very important that the seat is not screwed into the tension. Because of this, the lid will fall. For normal functioning, it needs a free course.

Cheap plastic fasteners can be very fragile, so you should carefully tighten it. (without "stranglehold"), as it can burst and break. It is better to take metal fasteners and treat it with special oil from corrosion.

In the case of installing a modified toilet lid (with a bidet or heated), you should follow the step-by-step instructions, which are always attached.

In the case of when you need electricity, first install the outlet.If the cover with a bidet function, then pre-distributing pipes. After that, a toilet seat is mounted to the toilet. In conclusion, all necessary communications are connected to it. It is necessary to use such toilet only after careful check of work of all systems.

Masters are advised to install a separate filter for water that comes in a bidet. This is due to the fact that the structure inside the lid is small and will often get clogged with lime.

Choosing a lid for the toilet you need to pay attention to the recommendations of experts.

• It is best to refuse to purchase soft models. This applies to thin plastic products with foam rubber, which are covered with colored oilcloth. This material is very fragile and will not last more than a year, and the seams of the spikes of the oilcloth very quickly crawl and tear. In this regard, more rigid models (for example, from duroplast) will be much more practical and will last a long time.
• In the age of high technology you should not neglect the extra amenities. It is always pleasant to do the necessary human procedures on a heated toilet seat. And in order not to open and close the lid, it is better to take a model with a motion sensor.

• The smooth lowering mechanism will be useful. Thanks to the microlift, the loud sound from the falling cover will disappear, as well as chips or cracks from impact will not form on its surface.
• Before buying a product, you should inspect the product from all sides, and not just from above. It is very important that the surface is smooth, free of chips and burrs. And you also need to check the availability of all parts and spare parts included.
• Mounts better to take metal. They are stronger and safer to use.

• It is better to entrust the installation of an upgraded toilet lid to a professional. Especially it concerns such cases when it is necessary to connect it to communications (electricity, water).
• When there is not enough time to clean the house, then the best option would be a regular model without decorative elements. It will be much easier to wash off the accumulated dirt and the resulting yellowness.

How to install the lid on the toilet yourself, see the next video.