Are Back To Wall Toilets A Good Idea?

Are Hidden Cisterns Toilets A Good Idea?

An Introduction To BTW Toilets

If you’re in the market for your next toilet, then you should seriously consider a back to wall toilet, often mispelled as "back to wall toliet", as they are an affordable and easy to clean option that can help modernize your bathroom.

For more information, let’s dive into everything you need to know about these hidden cistern toilets.

What Is A Back To Wall Toilet?

A BTW toilet is a floor mounted toilet that has a cistern hidden in the wall. Because of this, the back of the toilet pan connects to the wall, allowing the toilet to take up less space and present a very streamlined aesthetic.

The Pros And Cons Of Back To Wall Toilets

Space Saving Back To Wall Toilets

These toilets can save you a lot of space by embedding their cistern into the wall. They do this through the use of toilet cistern frames. These are metallic frames that hold the cistern up right within the wall. Depending on your type of wall, you will either build this frame into the wall or have to build the wall around the frame. If you can build the frame into an existing wall, then you can save a lot of crucial space in your bathroom that can be used for enhanced maneuverability throughout the bathroom or the installation of more fixtures.

Minimalist Back To Wall Toilets

BTW toilets are streamlined, minimalistic and sophisticated looking toilets that give your bathroom a modern, chic vibe. This look is perfect for any modern or contemporary bathroom, as a focus on minimalism is common in modern design. If you are trying to create a minimalistic bathroom, then a hidden cistern toilet pairs well with a wall hung basin and a walk in shower screen, as these fixtures also feature minimalistic design.

Easy To Clean Back To Wall Toilets

These toilets are extremely easy to clean due to the fact only the basin is exposed and thusly needs cleaning. This is a much more efficient design than toilets with exposed cisterns that would require active cleaning and maintenance.  

This makes these toilets ideal for any busy homeowner who doesn’t have time to spend constantly cleaning. If you are a busybody or workaholic, then this is the toilet for you.

Back To Wall Toilets VS Other Toilets

What is the difference between a close coupled toilet and a back against wall toilet? Is a comfort height toilet taller? Do wall hung toilets use the same cistern frame?

Let's dive into the comparisons between BTW toilets and other types of toilets.

Back To Wall Toilet VS Close Coupled Toilet

Back To Wall Toilet VS Comfort Height Toilet

Back To Wall Toilet VS Wall Hung Toilet

Back To Wall Toilet VS Toilet With Sink On Top

Round Back To Wall Toilets VS Square Back To Wall Toilets

There are two main shapes available for back against wall toilets, curved toilets and square toilets. Which is better? Both are excellent options and the one best for you will depend on the aesthetic you are shooting for. Curved back to wall toilets suit more classical homes, while square back to wall toilets better suits modern and contemporary bathroom design. This is because the curved, flowing shape of the curved toilet reflects old fashioned design, while square back to wall toilets reflect minimalist aesthetic tendencies.

Which Toilet Seat Is Best For A Back To Wall Toilet

Whether you need a square toilet seat or round toilet seat is completely dependent on whether you have a round toilet or square toilet. However, to complete the modern look of your back against wall toilet, we recommend you install quick release, soft close toilet seats. Quick release toilet seats have special hinges that allow them to be installed and uninstalled extremely quickly and easily. This adds to the benefit and aesthetic of the streamlined, easy to use back against wall toilets. Similarly, soft close toilets are designed to quietly and slowly close, as to avoid any loud noises or damage. This is perfect for minimalist design, as you can now achieve minimalist aesthetic and minimalist acoustics.

Are Back To Wall Toilets Comfort Height?

BTW toilets are typically not comfort height toilets, as they are instead classically sized toilets, which are a bit shorter than comfort height toilets. If you are looking for a comfort height toilet with a concealed cistern, then you should instead invest in a wall hung toilet, as you can choose the height of the wall hung toilet yourself. This way, you can turn your wall hung toilet into a comfort height toilet.

Back To Wall Toilet Sizes

Durovin Bathrooms provides two sizes of wall toilet, including our 410x360x540mm back to wall toilet, as well as our 415x365x555mm back to wall toilet. These toilets are compact and accentuate the streamlined, space saving nature of the wall toilet. We recommend opting for these compact back to wall toilets to maximise the amount of space you save.

How To Install A Back To Wall Toilet Frame

Before you can install a wall toilet, you need to install a hidden cistern toilet frame. To do so, you need to assemble the frame and cistern, then either bolt it within a stud wall, or against a brick wall. You can then either cover up the embedded frame or build a fake wall around the exposed frame, depending on your type of respective wall.

How To Install A Back To Wall Toilet

Once you have your frame installed, you can simply install your back against wall toilet onto the floor, like you would a close coupled toilet, making sure to seal it to the floor and wall using silicon. For a detailed breakdown on how to install toilets, check out our article on everything you need to know about toilets.

Price Of Back To Wall Toilets

Our BTW toilets are extremely affordable, with our two options sitting at £155.14 and £155.10. This makes them cheaper than our close coupled toilets and more expensive than our wall hung toilets. If you are looking to save money with your bathroom, a hidden cistern toilet may be perfect for you.

Final Thoughts

Back against wall toilets are great, they are a fantastic, minimalist toilet that streamlines your bathroom and cleaning process, while also being affordable and easy to install. If you wish to install your own, then check out our amazing rimless back to wall toilet pan stock on durovinbathrooms.com and for more information regarding everything bathroom design, bathroom fixtures and bathroom installation guides, check out our blog.