SHOULD YOU BUY A BACK TO WALL TOILET

August 19, 2021

TIME TO SWITCH TO A BACK TO WALL TOILET?

When you think "bathrooms", you can be forgiven for forgetting the toilet as a necessary element as opposed to a design feature in many instances.

In all honesty, you could be right with regards to a number of standard toilets, which can just ‘be there’ in and amongst your beautifully planned and constructed bathroom interior.

However, some contemporary toilet styles can actually serve to suit and enhance the scheme you have created or are looking to introduce – accentuating a clean, minimalist and maximizing space in the process.

Back to wall toilets are one such type, and in this blog post, we will aim to explain in detail the many features that make them an ideal option for many bathroom areas.

WHAT ARE BACK TO WALL TOILETS?

In contrast to traditional toilets, a back to wall toilet incorporates a streamlined design with the toilet pan fitted against the wall, and a concealed cistern contained either within the wall itself or a separate unit.

The presence of a back to wall toilet can certainly assist in fostering a neater bathroom finish. And for especially compact bathroom or en-suite areas, their fitting can offer vital extra space too.

A VARIETY OF BACK TO WALL TOILET DESIGNS

One of the great advantages for would-be buyers of back to wall toilets is the scope in design choices on the market. There is a massive variety of back to wall toilet models, and whilst they are predominantly associated with contemporary profiles, both modern and traditional styles available to suit any type of décor.

In the case of modern back to wall toilets, potential buyers will typically note straight or curved lines as defining elements, perfect for adding an air of sleek sophistication.

Especially small bathroom spaces could benefit from shorter projection back to wall toilets meanwhile, which incorporate a smaller protrusion to further aggrandize available room. Slimline and compact back to wall toilet units are another option that will serve to enhance space significantly.

WHAT ARE BACK TO WALL TOILETS MADE FROM?

As you would expect for any sort of high quality toilet, back to wall toilets from EmmerSan are constructed from failsafe ceramic. So not only is it a hardwearing, durable performance guaranteed, but the material also lends itself to providing a glossy, easily cleanable surface.

White ceramic is the most commonly associated style in relation to toilets in general, and back-to-wall designs are no exception. It is generally tough to go wrong with the clean white aesthetic in most bathrooms – it will mix well with almost any décor and contrast nicely alongside the likes of chrome fittings and fixtures, which tend to be prominent in bathroom areas.

The components within bathroom uites can match up alongside white ceramic back to wall toilets for a uniform look. Think bathroom basin and vanity units of a mirrored makeup and appearance.

However, back to wall toilets are not restricted to a white ceramic construction. There is an array of beautiful black back to wall toilets available too, an ideal feature for a supremely sophisticated, modern bathroom design.

Again, black back to wall toilets can accompany matching bathroom furniture to create a consistent aesthetic if that lines up with your personal preferences. They are also prime candidates for installation in predominantly white bathrooms, with that colour contrast scheme proving timeless still.

ARE BACK TO WALL TOILET UNITS ESSENTIAL?

The answer to this question depends on the layout and look you are hoping to create.

To put it most simply, units are completely essential unless you are installing a back to wall toilet directly onto the wall. And realistically, the presence of a unit is highly recommended in most instances anyway.

A back to wall toilet unit will simplify the fitting process, getting rid of the need for the cistern and pipework to be installed within the wall. If a unit is not fitted, a boxed section or feature wall will be needed to allow room for the necessary plumbing work – potentially much more intrusive on the space than you might wish for. Once fitted, the unit will incorporate valuable extra storage space in the form of shelving, which could prove particularly crucial in a small bathroom area.

Usually, the unit will co-ordinate with the toilet itself in terms of finish, though there are specific instances where this might not be the case. Classic bathrooms might favour wood furniture units to team with a clean white back to wall toilet. And by contrast, a predominantly silver unit could provide a striking accompaniment to a black back to wall toilet to provide an eye-catching modern edge in a minimalist bathroom.

In turn, and as shown earlier in the piece, the opportunity exists to match up the toilet unit with other bathroom suite components, fittings and furniture as well.

For back to wall toilet installations without a unit, the only extra consideration to be made is a concealed cistern to ensure the toilet is fully functional. In most cases, the toilet cistern will be supplied alongside a flush button. To ensure the most efficient performance possible, with regards to saving water, it is best to opt for a dual flush system.

ARE BACK TO WALL TOILETS EASY TO INSTALL?

In actual fact, the back to wall toilet installation process is not quite as simple in comparison with other types of toilets, such as close coupled toilets.

Should you choose a back to wall toilet or wall hung toilet without a wall unit, then all necessary plumbing will have to be secured within the wall, and pipework might have to be upgraded accordingly too. Any required repair work of the future could be tougher to accomplish in light of these sort of fittings being difficult to reach. The fitting of a removable panel is highly advisable to provide easy access over the course of the toilet’s lifespan.

And whilst all these fitting considerations might sound formidable, it is really bread and butter for a professional qualified plumber to do the job properly. So try not to imagine the installation process as the major setback some can present it as, and instead factor in the potential outlay needed to complete the work correctly and properly, whilst drawing up your back to wall toilet budget.