Floor-standing WC: the classic model
There are so many different styles of toilets available these days that our customers are often a little overwhelmed on the subject. We have developed this article in order to enlighten you on what a free-standing toilet (also called a free-standing toilet) actually is. At the end of this article, you will know a little more about this type of toilet, and will have all the information to know if this is the toilet for you or not.
The essentials to know about free-standing toilets
Generally speaking, a free-standing toilet is composed of:
- a bowl;
- a telescope;
- a flap;
- hinges;
- a tank;
- push buttons (located on the tank);
- a fixing kit for the ground and the tank
Due to their low cost and ease of installation, free-standing toilets/free-standing toilets are the most common models in France. Today, the bowl and flushing tank form a single unit, whereas at the time, the tank was suspended above the head, often more than a meter from the bowl. The tank is attached to the back of the toilet, behind the seat, creating a streamlined unit that combines the two essential parts. The most popular flushing mechanism today is operated by one (or two) push button located on the top of the tank, while more traditional toilets use a lever located on the front or side of the reservoir.
Their compact nature makes them perfect for fitting into small or difficult to access spaces. For example, if your bathroom wall has a small recess, installing a free-standing toilet can make the most of the space. These toilets are both quick and easy to install, making them ideal for any bathroom.
What are the advantages of a free-standing toilet?
Easy to install and replace
Due to their design, these toilets are easier to install or replace than wall-hung toilets. Installing a wall-hung model will often require multiple works (see our article on wall-hung toilets). If you are looking to easily replace the toilets in your establishment or at home, which were already free-standing toilets/free-standing toilets, this is the easy solution.
Also, no need for a control plate to activate the flush on wall-hung toilets, which is one less installation to be done by the contractor in charge of the work. He will not have to cut a rectangle the size of the control plate on the covering chosen for the bathroom.
Easy maintenance
This type of toilet greatly facilitates maintenance. Indeed, in the event of a leak coming from the tank for example, you do not need to remove the control plate to access the mechanism (which is the case with a wall-hung toilet). All you have to do is open the visible tank.
Positive environmental impact and low operating costs
Today, manufacturers are increasingly offering reduced capacity tanks, making it possible to reduce the amount of water used per flush, which translates into less environmental impact and lower long-term operating costs. Most models also include a dual flush mechanism, which allows you to control water consumption even better with short or long flushes.
Lower price
On average, free-standing toilets are less expensive than wall-hung toilets or other more sophisticated toilets (Japanese toilets, etc.).
What are the disadvantages of a free-standing toilet?
Interview
Free-standing toilets are generally more complex to clean. This is the only downside compared to wall-hung toilets... Unlike wall-hung toilets, free-standing toilets have nooks and crannies, more or less accessible depending on the model, which makes sweeping them more complex and time-consuming.
Clutter
There are no rules on toilet space. Some free-standing models are shorter than hanging models, others are longer. Also, you must take into account the support frame and the partition (see our article on wall-hung toilets), necessary for the installation of wall-hung toilets. But generally speaking, wall-hung toilets are shorter (in depth) than floor-standing toilets!
Free-standing toilets, how do they work?
The operation of a free-standing toilet is not very complicated in itself. The toilet bowl and tank are connected together, allowing water to drain from the tank into the bowl using a flush button or handle. Most models come with a 3 or 6 liter flush (although some use 2/4 liters), allowing you to control your home's water consumption as needed. When the flush button is pressed, a quantity of water is released into the bowl, creating an overflow into the siphon at such a rate that all the waste is sucked into the drain pipe, which can be either vertical or horizontal ( we will come back to it later).
Different types of drains for a free-standing toilet
In sanitary jargon, the sleeve (or pipe) is the outlet through which toilet waste is flushed into your wastewater drain. The type of toilet determines how this connection can be made. For example, a free-standing toilet can be connected horizontally, vertically, left or right by a pipe (or a sleeve), while a wall-hung toilet can only be connected to the drain pipe horizontally or vertically. Today, most modern toilets are equipped with a horizontal drain. Vertical evacuations are becoming increasingly rare. I advise you to find out about the location of your wastewater disposal before considering any purchase! This could increase your installation bill...
Opt for a free-standing toilet with or without a flange?
To see the difference between a rimless and rimless toilet, you need to lift the lid and seat and look inside the bowl. Because if rimless toilets look quite identical on the outside, it's on the inside that we understand their difference.
The flange is the upper edge of the inside of the toilet bowl that conceals the water coming from the tank. It's a hard-to-reach area that can lead to a buildup of dirt and bacteria. Rimless toilets make cleaning this part much easier.
We therefore strongly advise you to choose a model without a flange! Be careful, using the brush will still be necessary in certain cases...
The price of a free-standing toilet
In terms of price, the price range is wide for free-standing toilets: from €100 to more than €10,000! In general, the most common price range is between 250 and 500 euros; it is always wise to invest in quality for a product that could last that long. Please note that this price does not include the installation of the WC and potential pipe modifications, which require a separate quote, costing several hundred euros.
The standard dimensions of a free-standing toilet
A typical free-standing toilet generally has a seat height of 40 cm, a total height of 60 to 80 cm, a width of 35 to 40 cm, and a depth of around 60 cm, although larger formats exist for the elderly or disabled (WC PMR standards) bringing the seat 50 cm above the ground.
How to choose your freestanding toilet?
It's easy to get carried away, but remember that it is preferable that your new toilet keeps the same evacuation system (horizontal, vertical, etc.) as the old ones to allow easy connection to your evacuation pipe wastewater. If it is not a toilet replacement, find out the location of the waste pipe so as not to have unpleasant surprises during installation.
Choose a size that will help you maximize space in your bathroom. Opt for a smaller, more compact model in a small bathroom to make it appear more spacious.
If you want to make cleaning your toilet easier then I advise you to choose a rimless bowl, it makes the task much easier!