Toilet Seats

Toilet Seats

Shape is the measurement that decides whether a seat fits, and it is the step most people skip. Measure the pan before ordering: the length from the fixing holes to the front edge, the width at the widest point, and the distance between the two fixing hole centres. A standard seat suits most round-front pans, while a D shaped seat matches the squarer modern pan and will look wrong on a traditional one. Elongated and oval pans need a seat cut to that outline, so a standard seat leaves a gap at the front. After fit, two mechanisms are worth paying for. Soft close uses a damped hinge so the lid lowers itself rather than slamming, which protects both the pan and the seat and is the single most noticeable upgrade. Quick release lets the seat lift off the hinges entirely for cleaning, which is what actually gets the awkward area around the fixings clean. Material changes weight and feel: thermoplastic and duroplast are the hard, cold, hard-wearing options, moulded plastic is lighter and cheaper, and woodgrain finishes read warmer and suit traditional bathrooms. Raised seats add height for anyone with limited mobility and fit over the existing pan. If the seat is sound but the hinges have failed, replacement hinges are stocked separately and are usually the cheaper fix.

Tema is by far the widest range, covering soft close seats in white and an Opal Deluxe soft close in grey, the Woodland Inspired range in white woodgrain, oak, pine and mahogany, an antibacterial seat in white and a contract plastic seat. Croydex makes the Eyre quick release soft close seat and Anika a D shaped quick release soft close in white. Celmac supplies the Calypso replacement seat in white and Bathroom Studio the Lusso 600 Supreme soft close seat and cover. Assist makes a universal fitting raised seat at 4 inch 100mm height, and Easi Plumb universal replacement seat hinges in chrome. For pans and cisterns see All Toilets.