Which is Better: Wall-Mounted or Floor-Mounted WC (Commode)?
Can't decide between wall- or floor-mounted commodes? Here are tips that will help you make an informed choice
Pooja Khanna Tyagi
11 September 2017
Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016 an for architectural poetry in the year 2018. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi and Noida.
Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392
Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner,... More
One needs to choose between a wall-mounted or floor-mounted WC at the initial stage of bathroom renovation or design so that the plumbing layout can be planned and laid accordingly. These WCs (water closets) are made in vitreous china and are available in a variety of designs; the preferred standard colours are usually ivory or white. Here are the pros and cons of wall-mounted and floor-mounted WCs.
Wall-mounted WC
If you want a high-end, modern look for your bathroom, go for a wall-hung WC. Its beauty lies in the floating effect created by the commode. A wall-mounted WC comprises mainly four parts, namely a wall tank, a flush actuator (the device that controls flow), a toilet bowl and a seat.
Tip: The height of a wall-mounted WC can be adjusted as per the homeowner’s requirements. This is especially useful for people with mobility issues, who medically require the WC to be at a higher level from the floor.
If you want a high-end, modern look for your bathroom, go for a wall-hung WC. Its beauty lies in the floating effect created by the commode. A wall-mounted WC comprises mainly four parts, namely a wall tank, a flush actuator (the device that controls flow), a toilet bowl and a seat.
Tip: The height of a wall-mounted WC can be adjusted as per the homeowner’s requirements. This is especially useful for people with mobility issues, who medically require the WC to be at a higher level from the floor.
- Pro: Takes less space
- Pro: Clean, sleek look The water-outlet and flushing device is concealed within the walls. This ensures a clean, uncluttered look and is a differentiating factor between a wall-hung and a floor-mounted WC.
Pro Tip: Some wall-hung WCs now come with a dual-flush cistern and actuator buttons, which let the user decide how much water to use when flushing.
- Pro: Easy to clean
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Installation is difficult
- Note: Installing a wall-mounted WC into your bathroom cannot be an afterthought; the model has to be purchased and the plumbing fixtures of the concealed flush installed and integrated with the plumbing lines before tiling. One can place this commode on any point of a bathroom wall that has a water source.
- Con: Limited access to water cistern
Pro Tip: For hassle-free maintenance, it is advisable to opt for models that come with built-in access panels that allow the plumber to reach the WC’s components.
- Con: Bolts may get loose
Floor-mounted WC
Floor-mounted WCs are very commonly used. They are two types – the one-piece commode which is manufactured as a single unit by fusing the flush-tank and bowl, or a two-piece commode which is composed of separate bowl and tank parts. These are installed separately and connected during installation. Floor-mounted WCs are bolted to the floor – do make sure to use a gasket or a sealer between the commode’s bolts and the floor to prevent water seeping into the floor substrate.
Floor-mounted WCs are very commonly used. They are two types – the one-piece commode which is manufactured as a single unit by fusing the flush-tank and bowl, or a two-piece commode which is composed of separate bowl and tank parts. These are installed separately and connected during installation. Floor-mounted WCs are bolted to the floor – do make sure to use a gasket or a sealer between the commode’s bolts and the floor to prevent water seeping into the floor substrate.
- Pro: Affordable and easy to maintain
- Con: Takes more space
- Con: Not easy to clean
Read more:
5 Common Bathroom Design Mistakes to Avoid
11 One-of-a-Kind Bathrooms on Houzz
Tell us: Which western WC do your prefer – wall-mounted or floor-mounted? Tell us why in the Comments section below.
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I went for a floor mounted one as it was easy to install and was uncomplicated. As brought out, the fact that the Wall mounted one needed thicker walls & needed to be secured over time were the disincentives. What looks good may not always be good...
I had wall mounted WCs initially cause I had a tiny flat and installed them due to space issues. But my plumber made mistake installing it and I faced a lot of repair issues because of the inaccessiblity aspect. Also if one has hard water then the inside filaments and fittings tend to rust faster. I replaced them with floor mounted ones during my renovation. When I was a renter prior to my own house the floor mounted WC use to leak from the edges( eeewww!!!!!!)...So it's actually about a good plumber and Mason more than the pot! However inspite of the high maintenance aspect I am a little biased towards wall mounted WCs as I feel the pros outnumber the cons