Close Coupled Toilets

What are Close Coupled Toilets?

Close Coupled Toilets are toilets where space has been saved by coupling the pan and cistern close together. They're an exercise in engineering and product design. Their efficient form have led to them becoming one of the most popular designs on the market.

Buyer's Guide

With its reduced capacity cistern, these toilets manage to reduce the amount of water used per flush, leading to a lessened environmental impact and lower long-term running costs. Most models incorporate a dual flush mechanism, allowing even further control over water usage with short and long flushes available. Compact and comfortable, these units can be installed in a range of different spaces. Whether applied to the main bathroom, the en suite area or the small closet cloakroom space, the close coupled toilet has the ability to fit in. A wide range of our suppliers have taken the close coupled design and given it their own twist. Old London and Burlington merge period design features with this modern, innovative style, while Ideal Standard, and Villeroy and Boch lead the way in creating fresh, cool pieces that are tailor made for inclusion in the context of the contemporary living space. Many of our close coupled toilets are part of designer bathroom suite collections, merging with other items in the same name range with consummate ease. Please browse our products by type as well as range to get a full feel of the potential for your bathroom area, or call our helpful team here in Ripon at UK Bathrooms for further advice and details.

Close-coupled toilets: what does it all mean? 

It can sometimes be dizzying looking at all the different options for close-coupled toilets. Do you have an open back or back to the wall? What about a standard or soft close seat? And what is the difference between a bottom inlet and a rear side inlet? And even if you know all of that, which brand do you go for? Is Burlington better than Laufen? Does a Roper Rhodes toilet far outdo a toilet from Saneux? The list of questions goes on and on. 

It can feel like you’d need to be a plumber just to know all of this stuff, and it can be difficult finding an impartial guide online to walk you through this maze, but here at UK Bathrooms, we’ve got you covered. In this handy online guide, we will be looking at the diverse options of close-coupled toilets, and comparing the different brands available. We will be explaining the difference between back-to-wall and open back, bottom inlets and rear side inlets, different types of flush mechanisms, and the pros and cons of standard and soft close seats. 

Pan options: back to wall or open back? 

As you may know, close-coupled means that the cistern sits on the back of the toilet pan, flushing directly through a connecting point, rather than a traditional toilet that uses gravity to create a strong flush. A back-to-wall close-coupled toilet is where the pan has walls down the side to the floor, concealing a vertical or horizontal waste pipe giving a smart finish, and a modern and efficient look, to the toilet. 

There are many different brands to choose from when it comes to back-to-wall toilets, all offering their own sleek spin on this popular design. The Villeroy & Boch O.novo Washdown Close Coupled Toilet is attractive in design and environmentally friendly in its usage. Sporting the Aquareduct system which helps to restrict the amount of water it uses, this toilet comes with a choice between standard or soft closing matching seat. The pan itself is a glossy, pure sanitary white, ensuring it fits in with the rest of your bathroom decor. Alternatively, you might want to opt for the Roper Rhodes Minerva Contemporary Close Coupled Toilet, which is also 'back to the wall'. With the cistern and pan both coming in one unit, this toilet helps to save space, so is useful if you have a cramped bathroom. It's also handy for cleaning, with a quick-release catch enabling you to remove the seat quickly and easily.

An open back close-coupled toilet, as you might be able to guess, has an exposed section that allows for a side entry waste pipe. This design allows for the toilet to be fitted up to the wall, because there are no concealed sides to factor in. The only downside to this is that it may not fit in with a modern looking bathroom, as the waste connection can be seen from the sides.

There are just as many open back toilets to choose from. For example, the Laufen Pro close-coupled WC provides a sleek design and minimal design, while boasting a cistern that uses less water for flush. But if you’re trying to save space, you may want to look at the Burlington Slimline Close-coupled WC. It’s made of vitreous china with a white finish, and is designed to match all Burlington styles (Victorian, Edwardian, and Contemporary). It’s a slightly more old fashioned style, but could become the centrepiece and talking point of your bathroom, especially one that is on the smaller side.

Cistern options: Bottom inlet, or rear side inlet? 

The inlet of your cistern is very important, as this will determine whether you purchase a back-to-wall or open back toilet. A back-to-wall toilet will only allow a vertical inlet, whereas an open back toilet will allow a bottom, rear, or side inlet. Sometimes choosing can depend on your current set up, and it would be worth discussing with your plumber to see whether you can change your current inlet. The size of your bathroom, and the positioning of your toilet, can also dictate which toilet you ultimately purchase, but there are a range of options for each.

If you are looking for a bottom inlet, the Bauhaus Wisp Close Coupled Toilet could be for you. It's back to wall design would fit perfectly with a contemporary, minimalist bathroom, and with its dual flush mechanism, it will save water with every flush. The seat comes as standard, but for that added modern touch, a soft close toilet will set it apart. And best of all, its simple, sharp design will allow for easy cleaning, making that dull job a breeze for any home owner! 

The Roca Debba Open Back Eco Close Coupled Toilet is great for those with a horizontal waste intake, and also comes with a dual flush, making this a more eco friendly toilet. The toilet seat comes in standard, but for an added bit of luxury, you can upgrade this to a soft close seat. And so with a compact design, unfussy visual imprint, and no nonsense feel, the Roca Debba is perfect for a contemporary and compact WC. 

Different types of flush mechanism

When it comes to different flush mechanisms, there are two key options to choose from. Most modern toilets take advantage of a dual flush button, where you can choose the strength of a flush, while others choose to remain with the standard side flush mechanism. The dual flush button lends itself to a close-coupled toilet, as it builds upon the already environmentally friendly design of the toilet, and looks sleek.

Dual flush buttons can be found on both back-to-wall and open back toilets, adding to the modern feel of both. In terms of an open back toilet, the Roca Laura Close Coupled Toilet has a dual action flush that gives the option between three or six litres of water per flush, and comes with a fitted matching seat and cover to complete the look.

If you’d like a back-to-wall toilet with angular, straight lines and a compact design, the Roper Rhodes Zest Close Coupled Toilet is a great choice. It also comes with a soft close lid, meaning it comes as a complete package.

Seat options: standard or soft close? 

Now we come to the all-important seat. There are two options for seats, soft close and standard. A standard toilet seat is the weightier option, and will fall if not placed down. The soft close toilet seat will gradually fall, eliminating noise and potential damage to the seat, similar to soft close drawers in kitchens. Most toilet manufacturers will give you the option between a soft close and standard toilet seat, so there is unlimited options when it comes to the toilet you purchase. 

Standard seats are usually found in more traditional toilets, especially open back toilets, and seats that are made of wood. The Villeroy & Boch Omnia Architectura Close Coupled Toilet comes with a range of different options. You can choose from either a soft close or standard seat, whichever your preference. Villeroy & Boch Subway 2.0 Rimless Close Coupled Toilet is also a fantastic toilet that gives both options, and uses rimless technology to provide a more hygienic toilet. 

If you’d like a soft close seat, the Saneux I-Line Contemporary Close Coupled Toilet may be the way to go. This toilet comes with a soft close seat, and with its bold lines, compact dimensions, and minimal design, it’s perfectly suited for a smaller WC. And as it comes in a package, you know that the toilet will be perfectly designed for the toilet bowl. The Saneux Project Close Coupled Toilet also gives you the option of a soft close or standard toilet seat, but with its smooth lines and modern style, it would be worth paying a little extra to finish off that contemporary feel. 

Whether you want a standard or soft close seat, there are plenty of options out there. In each toilet product page, a drop down menu will show you what seat options are available, and a helpful guide at the bottom will guide you in the right direction so that you make the most out of your toilet. 

Now you’re a master of close coupled toilets!

And so now you’re able to tell the difference between an open back pan and a back to the wall pan, and a bottom inlet and a rear side inlet. You know exactly what type of seat you want, and you’ll know the different types of flush mechanisms. With all that covered, and a clear understanding of the different brands available, you’re more than prepared to go and order your perfect toilet. And with a range of examples given in this guide, you’ll be able to browse and begin the search with a clear path. 

So, with all that fresh in your mind, why not pop over to the close coupled toilet page to browse the full range?