Choosing a toilet is a very tricky business. Especially with the current abundance of different models on the market. When buying plumbing fixtures for your home, you should contact a sales consultant for help. But you should know the basic things yourself, so that you can at least navigate the topic a little.
What materials are toilet bowls made of?
The content of the article
- What materials are toilet bowls made of?
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Pros and cons of toilets made of different materials
- Ceramics
- Metal
- Polymers
- Stone
There are a large number of toilet bowls on the market, which are made from different materials. Some bring coziness to the bathroom, others increase the prestige of the home, and still others are distinguished by their durability and strength:
- Faience. Doesn't have any special characteristics. It is very popular with buyers as it is easy to manufacture and has a relatively low cost.
- Porcelain. Refers to one of the types of ceramics. It is of higher quality and, naturally, more expensive material than faience.
- Cast iron. Makes toilets heavy and bulky. The models do not differ much, but are still found on the market.
- Steel. Not very common in residential buildings, but popular in public washrooms.
- Acrylic. More recently, it began to be used to create plumbing. Thanks to a special production technology, a wide range of colors has been created for toilets. For this he fell in love with designers. Due to their lightness and ease of installation, such toilets are popular among summer residents.
- Stone. Easy to operate and durable. But such toilets are very expensive.
Pros and cons of toilets made of different materials
When choosing plumbing, you should know what it is made of and the main characteristics of the material.
Ceramics
Faience and porcelain belong to ceramics, slightly differ in price and basic properties. Faience is more fragile than porcelain. But this is a very insignificant difference in terms of mechanical impact. Porcelain, due to its dense structure, absorbs odors and dirt less. According to manufacturers, a porcelain toilet will last an average of 50 years, and a faience one - about 35.
Metal
Of the positive aspects of steel toilets, strength, light weight and ease of maintenance can be noted. These models are popular in public washrooms. But if you want to create an unusual and extravagant bathroom design, then this will be an original solution.
Cast iron models are very heavy, which will be a big disadvantage during installation. Such plumbing serves for a very long time, although over time it becomes covered with a layer of dirt and darkens.
Polymers
Acrylic is very popular in the production of sanitary ware. Such models are resistant to mechanical damage, but melt easily when exposed to high temperatures. The special surface does not trap dirt and bacteria, so plastic toilets are very easy to clean.
Attention! Although polymers do not require specific maintenance, they are very vulnerable to products with abrasive particles. Acrylic under their influence deteriorates and loses its neat appearance.
Stone
Various artificial and natural stones are used in the production of sanitary ware: granite, marble, onyx, travertine. Such models look very unusual and belong to the elite segment due to their rather high cost.
Natural materials are very heavy and fragile, and also have increased porosity. They can hardly be called hygienic, as they actively absorb dirt and moisture. But artificial materials have a number of advantages:
- strength, which significantly extends the service life;
- smooth surface that does not allow germs and dirt to linger;
- lightness of the models, which makes them easy to install;
- relatively low price than natural counterparts;
- simplicity and unpretentiousness in care.
Knowing the features of plumbing from different materials, it will be easier to make a choice.