skirted Vs. non skirted toilets- A complete guide (Installation, Benefits, Pros & Cons)

skirted vs non skirted toilets

If you’re in the market for a new toilet, you may have heard about skirted toilets. But what exactly are they, and how do they differ from regular toilets?

In this article, we’ll explore the world of skirted toilets, discussing their unique features and benefits as well as some potential drawbacks to keep in mind.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer idea of whether a skirted toilet is the right choice for your bathroom.

If you compare a skirted toilet with a non-skirted or regular toilet, then choosing a skirted toilet is undoubtedly the best choice. It has many benefits that give its users convenience and is pretty user-friendly. Although many people face difficulty installing a skirted toilet, don’t panic; we have the solution to all the problems related to skirted toilets.

Let’s go thoroughly through the article to learn what a skirted toilet is and how it provides ease and convenience to its users. We’ll also see what problems are faced while installing a skirted toilet and how they could be addressed.

What is a skirted toilet?

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The skirted toilet is a structure designed in such a way that it has a skirted apron that covers the toilet from front to the back. Its smooth structure adds beauty to your bathroom and gives a more hygienic and clog-free experience.

Unlike the non-skirted toilets, the skirted toilet has a body that doesn’t let the dirt and mold get stuck to the surface of the toilet. It slides it smoothly downward and provides easy cleaning of the toilet.

Many toilet manufacturers are now diverging to the skirted toilet, some of them ended the non-skirted version of toilets. Many skirted toilet models come with advanced functioning.

Skirted toilets have a trapway that is concealed with a fine piece of porcelain over it. The hidden trapway is one of the most defining features of a skirted toilet, moreover, the bolts that are attached to the ground are also hidden inside the apron.

Skirted toilet gives a more smooth and more pleasing look to your bathroom and gives a compliment to it. Although its installation is a bit complex and an ordinary plumber can’t install it easily. for installing a skirted toilet, you need to call an expert plumber.

what is a skirted trapway on a toilet

A skirted trapway is a design feature found in certain modern toilets. It refers to the shape and construction of the channel through which waste is flushed out of the toilet bowl and into the drainage system.

In a traditional toilet, the trapway is fully exposed and visible on the exterior of the toilet bowl. It often has a curved or S-shaped design, which can make it difficult to clean and maintain. Additionally, the exposed trapway can accumulate dirt and bacteria over time.

concealed trapway vs skirted

Toilets with concealed trapway and skirted might seem similar, but they have some differences. A skirted toilet has a modern and stylish look, with smooth lines that extend from the bowl all the way down to the base. It may or may not have a hidden trapway.

A concealed trapway toilet, on the other hand, has a visible bowl shape that flares out, while the neck of the base is slender. However, the trapway that connects the bowl to the drain is hidden from view, giving the toilet a seamless and clean appearance.

The main difference between them is that a skirted toilet has a straight line from the front to the back and from the tank to the floor, while a concealed trapway toilet has a distinct bowl shape that flares out from the rest of the unit [1].

Both designs have advantages and disadvantages. Skirted toilets are easier to clean and may be less expensive, but may not have a hidden trapway. Concealed trapway toilets may be more expensive, but they are easier to clean and have a modern appearance. The choice between them depends on personal preference and budget.

skirted toilets Guide

When you decide to buy a new product for your bathroom, the first thing that comes to mind is, is it safe or hygienic to use? So the answer to this question is “yes”. Skirted toilets are very safe and hygienic toilets to be used.

They have a sleek body shape that doesn’t let any mold or debris get stuck to their surface. Moreover, the clean lines of this skirted toilet are the most liked and appreciated part. It is effortless to clean, and maintaining it new for long is also easy. 

Cleaning the skirted toilet is relatively easy, making it a safer and hygienic choice than regular toilets. All the parts are hidden inside its body and provide a good shape that complements your bathroom.

Skirted Toilets Guide- Is a skirted toilet a better option?

The answer to this is “yes”. If we compare a skirted toilet with non-skirted or regular toilets, then a skirted toilet is undoubtedly a better option. The skirted toilet is considered a better option because it does not have the exposed lines of the trapway.

The apron of the skirted toilet hides the trap way and all the other bolts that give it a sleek and smooth shape. This feature is found only in skirted toilets. In non-skirted and regular toilets, trapways are exposed, and their cleaning is also tricky. Skirted toilets are, therefore, easier to clean.

So we can say that the skirted toilets are undoubtedly a better choice if you want an easy-to-clean and good-looking toilet in your bathroom.

Benefits of a skirted toilet.

The Skirted toilet has created lots of ease for the users. Let’s go through its benefits to know how it provides convenience to its users compared to those using non-skirted or regular toilets. The benefits of skirted toilets include:

  • A flat layer found at the rear side of the covered trapway that protects the trapway.
  • The structure is designed so that it doesn’t let any mold or debris accumulate on the walls of the skirted toilet.
  • A skirted toilet has a defining feature termed an apron that hides the trapway and bolts inside it.
  • This apron gives a sleek and very smooth look to your bathroom and gives a compliment to it.
  • Cleaning a skirted toilet is relatively easy compared to the non-skirted one. 
  • The mold and debris don’t get accumulated, thus providing you cleaner and hygienic experience.
  • The skirted toilet with advanced functioning provides more convenience for users to maintain their hygiene.

Skirted vs non skirted toilet.

Skirted and non skirted toilet

Now here comes the comparison between the skirted and non-skirted toilets. The thing we have to focus on is whether the trapway is hidden or exposed. It is the only thing that gives a visible difference between the skirted and non-skirted toilets. Let’s go through more features that let you know what should be the best choice, skirted or non-skirted toilet.

As you know that, skirted toilets are the ones have a hidden trapway. They have an apron that hides the trapway and bolts providing a smooth and sleek look to your toilet. On the other hand, we have non skirted toilet, which is the opposite of a skirted toilet. It has an open trapway. However, many of the features of a skirted and non-skirted toilet are the same. Now it depends on which bothers you the most and what you’d like to have in your bathroom.

Cleanliness and maintenance-Skirted Toilet Vs Regular:

Skirted Toilet:

The skirted toilet has a smooth shape that doesn’t let dirt or mold accumulate on the toilet’s surface. Hence, cleaning a skirted toilet is effortless compared to non-skirted toilets. It doesn’t have intricate parts that are needed to be cleaned thoroughly. Only a single wipe can clean the surface quickly. Maintaining a skirted toilet is very easy compared to non skirted toilet. It doesn’t need to be cleaned with brief details and can stay as a new one for a long.

Regular Toilet:

Cleaning and maintaining a non-skirted toilet are a bit tough and time-consuming. The exposed trapway with cranny and crooks needs a lot of struggle and time to get cleaned thoroughly. And it gets dirty so often that many users ignore it while cleaning. It has many details that are needed to be cleaned and requires excellent time for it. Hence, cleaning and maintaining non-skirted toilets is quite a time taking process, and the toilet starts to look like an old one soon.

Design– skirted toilet vs regular

Skirted Toilet:

If you are design-conscious and want a toilet that adds beauty to your bathroom, then selecting a skirted toilet is undoubtedly a good choice. It is a bulky one with a very smooth and sleek shape from the front. It is designed to hide all inner parts like trapways and bolts. It also conceals other parts like toilet supply or tubbing and gives a neat outlook. Most bolts are also hidden inside; hence, a skirted toilet gives your bathroom a simple, classy look. Although the skirted toilets are a bit expensive compared to the non-skirted toilet, most of their functions are almost identical.

Non-Skirted Toilet:

The non-skirted toilets are also bulkier, and the only visible difference between the skirted and non-skirted toilets is the apron. A non-skirted toilet has no apron, and its trap way is exposed. Many toilets function excellently, but they are non-skirted. So you can’t deny the importance of non-skirted toilets as well. The functioning is almost identical. The difference comes from its shape and maintenance. Although non-skirted toilets are a bit cheap, many are reasonably priced. If an exposed trapway doesn’t bother you, you can also think about a non-skirted toilet.

Skirted Toilets Installation guide:

Installing a toilet with skirt is tricky, and you need an expert to install it. It occupies a lot of space, and its fixing is complicated. An expert knows how to deal with all the problems faced while installing a skirted toilet. Let’s go through its step-by-step guide on how to install a skirted toilet.

  • Clean the area and locate your floor flange.
  • Attach the connecting brackets to the flange by using nuts and bolts.
  • Now, Mount the wax ring for a water-tight seal.
  • Now Gently place the skirted toilet over the floor flange.
  • Locate the screw fixing on each side of your toilet and tighten it up using a screwdriver.
  • Once the things are tightened and leveled, your skirted toilet is installed and ready to use.

Skirted toilet problems:

The skirted toilets have many benefits whereas in the same place it has some drawbacks. Let’s go through most users’ problems while using a skirted toilet.

  • Poor flushing system:

The skirted toilet is not properly sealed around the flushing system, due to which the water leaks out when flushed, causing flooding.

  • Difficult to Install:

The skirted toilets are a bit difficult to install, and the users also face greater service challenges because the skirt gets stuck often and requires reasonable effort with experts’ help to relieve this problem.

  • Disposal of Waste:

It has also been observed that the waste water seeps into the freshwater supply leading to the contamination of the water supply. This issue is most common amongst the houses having a small savage system.

  • Increase in bacterial growth:

The narrow circumference of the skirted toilet bowl allows more moisture to stay, thus allowing the bacteria to breed more on the surface of the skirted toilet. If the skirted toilet is not cleaned correctly, there are many chances of increased growth of bacteria on the skirted toilet surface, which might lead to many infections and diseases.

  • Mismatching of the components:

Suppose you are already using a traditional toilet and have decided to replace it with the skirted model. In that case, it is essential to ensure that all of its components are compatible. Otherwise, this might cause leaking and many other problems down the line.

How to Fix these problems:

If you want a skirted toilet that gives a good look to your bathroom and is easy to clean, then you must get ready to face some problems due to the difficulty in installing a skirted toilet. But don’t panic; everything has a solution, and if you keep these solutions in your mind, then using a skirted toilet will be easy for you. It’ll provide more convenience and ease compared to the non-skirted or regular toilet. Let’s see together how these problems can be addressed.

  • Skirt Replacement:

If your old skirted toilet started to wear, it’s time to change its skirt. Changing the skirt will give a new look to your toilet, and at the same time, it will provide better functionality.

Before changing the toilet skirt, selecting a skirt compatible with other parts of the skirted toilet is essential. If there is a mismatching of the toilet components, then this might cause leakage. Therefore, selecting an appropriate skirt for your toilet replacement is necessary.

  • Upgrading of Hardware:

If you don’t want to replace your toilet’s skirt, then upgrading the hardware is necessary to improve the toilet’s functionality and durability. Changing the bolds of the round bowl that keeps it attached to the ground can help to stay safe from the problems like leakage or seeping. The plumbing and draining issues should also be adequately addressed and fixed appropriately with time.

  • Addition of a Seat:

Adding a comfortable seat in a skirted toilet will add more ease for the user in terms of usability and comfort height. The seats include the basic seats that give a soft sitting, and their range goes to the seats that include storage and massage functioning.

  • Considering a Skirted Bidet:

If you consider a skirted bidet, this helps the user have advanced features in its toilet with more comfort and hygienic washing. This includes hand-free washing with temperature and pressure control of the water.

  • Repairing and Replacement of Broken parts:

If the parts of your toilet are broken, don’t hesitate to replace or repair them. Do it on the spot, and this will increase your skirted toilet’s life span. Keep the hardware of your skirted toilet upgraded. This will increase the functionality and durability of your skirted toilet. Also, use seat attachments and rugs for more ease and comfort.

Pros and cons of the skirted toilets:

Skirted toilets are undoubtedly the best choice compared to non-skirted or regular toilets. It has some pros and some cons as well. Let’s go to know the skirted toilets pros and cons.

PROS:

  • The hidden trap way of the skirted toilet makes it easy for the user to maintain the toilet. It makes the cleaning process more easy and fast.
  • Its shape gives a compliment to your bathroom.
  • Its shape hides the trapway and all the bolts inside it and gives your toilet a smooth and sleek appearance.
  • It can be used easily by anyone of any age.
  • It is easy to clean, providing more protection from germs and infections compared to regular toilets.

CONS:

  • The installation of a skirted toilet is tricky, and you need an expert to install it perfectly.
  • No proper maintenance can cause leakage and seeping of dirty water into the freshwater pipelines.
  • The bowl of a skirted toilet has a narrow circumference. Hence, if not adequately cleaned, this might increase bacteria’s growth.

CONCLUSION:

As we have gone through the in-depth detail of the skirted toilet and now we know all about this product, we can say that skirted toilets are undoubtedly the best choice compared with the non-skirted or regular toilets.

If you choose a skirted Bidet, then it will give you a more hygienic and luxurious experience. Obviously, non-skirted toilets have their own place and importance. Now it depends on the user what kind of product he wants to be in its bathroom. The skirted toilets have vast importance that makes them superior to the others.

Hopefully, this would be a great learning, and you got a perfect answer to all of the queries in your mind regarding a skirted toilet.

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