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

Pros Of Back To Wall Toilets	Cons Of Back To Wall Toilets
Saves Space	Harder To Install Than Close Coupled Toilet
Minimalist Aesthetic	Harder To Perform Maintenance
Easier To Clean

 

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? The answer is yes,Our toilet cistern frame can be utilised for both btw toielt and wall hung style. It consists of a heavy-duty steel frame and a concealed water tank (cistern) designed to be hidden behind a wall. Typically features a 6L/3L water-saving flush, allowing you to choose a smaller volume for liquids. The legs are adjustable (usually 0–200mm), allowing you to set the toilet seat at your preferred heightm ideal for taller individuals or those with mobility needs.

However, not all back-to-wall toilets require a concealed cistern frame. Some BTW models come with a built-in visible cistern, making installation much simpler and more straightforward. For example, the Back to Wall Round Toilet with Soft Close Seat features an elegant egg-shaped design with an integrated cistern. This type of toilet installs very similarly to a traditional one-piece toilet: there is no need for a concealed frame or false wall construction, and it is easier for maintenance access to the cistern. 

 

Back To Wall Toilet VS Close Coupled Toilet

Back To Wall Toilet	Close Coupled Toilet	Comfort Height Toilet	Wall Hung Toilet	Toilet with sink on top
Concealed Cistern	Exposed Cistern	Exposed Cistern	Concealed Cistern	Exposed Cistern
Easier To Clean	Easier To Maintain/Repair	Easier To Maintain/Repair	litte hard to install, Easy to access and repair	Easier To Clean
Saves Space	Taken more space	Taken more space	Saves Space	Saves Space

 

 

 

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.

 

How much space should be between a toilet and the wall?

To extend the above topic,  many DIY enthusiasts or homeowner have common question :"How far should the toilet be from the wall:" 

A professional plumbers's practical experience would suggest that it depends on  the toilet type, bathroom layout, and functional requirements.  From a user's point of view,  installer should keep  at least 15 inches (approx 38cm)  from toilet centreline to side wall , if you have a large bathroom,  increasing this distance to 18 inches (45 cm) will significantly enhance the sense of space and prevent a cramped feeling. 

For Back to Wall toilets managing the space behind toilet pan is critical and is influenced by hardware specification. If you are installing a wall-hung or floor-standing toilet with a concealed cistern, the frame itself will typically occupy a depth of 10–15 cm.If the toilet is backed by a storage unit or a "vanity box," you must account for the depth of the cabinet.  Some modern ultra-thin tankless design can sit closer to wall, but a small gap is still required for maintaining water inlet hoses and waste pipes.  

The distance between front edge of toilet and the opposite wall of wash basin should be at least 60cm or 24 inches that is suggested by professional installers. This ensures that doors can open without obstruction and provides enough room for standing and moving around.

 

Price Of Back To Wall Toilets

 Compare to our close coupled toilets , our wall hung toilets. and back to wall toilet are much more affordable.  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.co.uk and for more information regarding everything bathroom design, bathroom fixtures and bathroom installation guides, check out our blog.