Rimless toilets have become extremely popular over the past few years. While this type of toilet bowl shares many features in common with a standard toilet, there are also a handful of important differences. The main goal of this article is to answer some important questions. What is a rimless toilet? What features are unique when compared to traditional toilets? How do these units function and what types of rimless toilets are available? Let us examine these and similar issues in more detail.
What is a Rimless Toilet?
Rimless toilets can be defined fairly easily. Unlike traditional rimmed toilets, these models do not contain an upper lip around the toilet pan. This lip (or rim) is normally used to flush water away and out of the unit. Rimless toilets function in a slightly different manner.
Most rimless toilets utilise what is known as a “direct flush” technique (more on this in the next section). This shoots a stream of propelled water around the pan in order to remove any waste matter. However, many individuals will actually find it difficult to spot the differences between a rimless toilet bowl and a standard pan. Rimless toilets are available in a wide variety of configurations (more on this later) and they also offer a host of unique hygienic advantages.
How Does a Rimless Toilet Work?
As mentioned in the previous section, rimless toilets use a one-of-a-kind method to remove waste. A standard toilet employs water which is sent to the periphery of the pan (and around the rim). When the flushing action takes place, this water provides a cascading effect.
A rimless toilet instead propels water from the back of the pan and around the inside periphery. Thus, a rim is no longer required. This direct flush technique is capable of removing waste and interestingly enough, it may also present an opportunity to conserve water within commercial settings.
However, the main takeaway point here is that rimless toilets are just as effective when compared to a traditional rimmed toilet in terms of waste removal. The main difference therefore involves the hygienic nature of a rimless toilet design. Let us now examine this concept to appreciate why rimless toilets have become so popular.
What are the Benefits of a Rimless Toilet?
A traditional toilet can sometimes fall short of the mark in terms of its overall hygiene. This is often due to the fact that bacteria may be able to accumulate beneath the rim. Furthermore, this bacteria can be challenging to clean. There are also times when limescale will form; particularly if the location in question is known for the presence of hard water. The good news is that a rimless toilet can avoid both of these situations. The lack of a rim signifies that it will be much harder for bacteria and limescale to remain present.
Rimless toilets also offer benefits in regard to water consumption. This is primarily the result of how the water is used within a direct flushing system. In fact, most rimless toilet designs will require less water (measured in litres or gallons per flush) when compared to modern bathroom toilets containing a rim.
Aesthetics should also be highlighted. Rimless toilets are associated with a clean and minimalistic appearance. This is often advantageous for those who are looking to provide their bathroom with a more contemporary appeal.
Finally, rimless toilets come in a variety of different configurations and they can be fitted with a host of modern hardware such as a rear mounted valve or a soft close seat. This leads us directly into the next main section of our article.
The Types of Rimless Toilets Available
Now that we have learned to appreciate how a rimless toilet functions as well as the associated hygienic benefits, what designs are available? The good news is that there are many rimless toilets to consider.
For example, back to wall toilets can be used in the event that you wish to save a significant amount of space within smaller bathrooms. A back to wall toilet will also offer a clean and streamlined appearance.
You could instead choose a wall hung model. In this case, the rimless toilet will be mounted directly to a wall. No hardware is visible and once again, the overall footprint of the pan is dramatically reduced.
We should also mention the types of accessories that a rimless toilet can employ. Of course, the exact selection hardware will depend upon your needs as well as aesthetics. It is nonetheless common for a rimless toilet to offer a soft close seat as a standard option. These seats are outfitted with a series of hinges that provide a buffering effect when they are opened or closed. This helps to reduce noise levels and it also prevents undue wear and tear; an important concern in terms of longevity. Choosing the right toilet design and hardware employed should therefore be carefully considered in order to make the most informed decision.
Why Choose a Rimless Toilet?
We can now see that rimless toilets offer several advantages when compared to standard models. Not only will a rimless design provide a hygienic edge, but this configuration pushes water through at a very high rate while reducing overall levels of consumption. This results in a cleaner flush and once again, the ability to eliminate a potential breeding ground for bacteria.
When we combine these traits with significantly easier cleaning methods and a stunning sense of aesthetic beauty, it becomes clear to understand why a rimless toilet changes the entire concept of modern bathroom furniture.
It is still quite important to appreciate the numerous options at your disposal. If you are planning a bathroom upgrade or if your existing toilet has seen better days, make it a point to speak with a specialist. He or she will be able to provide timely advice in order to ensure that the correct decision is taken.
Its also incredible easy to find a stylish model which can blend into a broad range of decors. With premium brands such as Roca, Ideal Standard, and RAK Ceramics all featuring many high-quality models its easy to find the perfect toilet for your bathroom.