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Pros and Cons of Acrylic Shower Base

When you install a shower, the first thing to contemplate on is the shower base which will serve as the foundation for the shower enclosure. Therefore it is very crucial to make the right choice. If you select a base that cracks or leaks down the road, the costs can be significant because it may require replacing the entire stall or it might have damage the floor below the base. None can claim that a particular type of shower base is better than the others, with each type having its own benefits, acrylic shower pans are near the top of the list in popularity. Here we discuss the pros and cons of acrylic shower bases.

Pros:

  • More cost effective than a tile, marble, or solid surface shower base
Since these units are manufactured in larger quantities they will usually cost less than custom tile showers or solid surface units.
  • Light & easy to work with
Most of these bases are set into a mortared base and are much lighter than marble or solid surface pans so they are easier to maneuver around a small bathroom.
  • One-piece: Low maintenance
To clean the acrylic shower base, you can just wipe the entire unit down with soap and water. In addition, there are no grout joints to have to deal with.
  • Non-porous: Waterproof
Unlike showers with tile flooring and mud pans, acrylic is non-porous, so you don’t have to be concerned about waterproofing the base because it’s already waterproofed.
  • Comfortable and warmer than tile
Acrylic stays warm to the touch, so you don’t have the shock of your feet touching a cold material when you enter the shower.
  • Anti-slip:More friendly to Oldman
Acrylic is more anti-slip than tiles. Also, It is not so hard as tiles even if oldman fall down.

Cons:

  • Not generally associated with high end projects

Most high end luxury homes/hotel will choose tile, stone or solid surface showers vs. acrylic to match the design.

  • Homeowners can’t create custom sizes

Among the most frequently mentioned disadvantages, inflexible sizing ranks high. Since these units are made in standard sizes if you need a custom size acrylic will not be the option for you. Also, because the pans are factory made, the drain locations cannot be varied. In remodeling projects it can be helpful — and save on plumbing costs — to use the old drain location. Since drain locations are pre-set with an acrylic base, you may have to move your existing plumbing.

Must Check:https://ortonbaths.com/understanding-the-concept-of-a-one-piece-toilet/

Must Check:https://ortonbaths.com/comparing-ceramic-toilets-and-porcelain-toilets-which-offers-superior-performance/

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Toilet Bowl Shape: Round or Elongated?  

Round shaped toilet bowls have been on the market practically since toilets were invented. Elongated toilet bowls on the other hand are a more recent design. Why this design appear and become popular?  Below is the detailed information:

Round Toilet Bowl

Advantages:

  • Space-saving

This type of toilet bowl will usually measure anything from 25 to 28 inches from the wall to the front which means if you have a small bathroom, this type will help you save space, and your door won’t be bashing into it every-time you need the bathroom!

`·More affordable

You can expect to pay a lot less for a toilet with a round bowl simply because the design has been around for so long, and manufacturers need to use less technology in order to produce them.

  • More comfortable for child

If you’re potty training a child, a round bowl is the answer. Any parent; will know what a messy time this can be for you and your child so if you’re just making the transition from potty to toilet, a round bowl model could be the answer. Round bowl may be more comfortable than an elongated because you don’t need the extra space.

Disadvantages:

  • If you’re a large person, this type of toilet will probably not be too comfortable to sit on.
  • Some models may not have as powerful a flush as the elongated type because there is less space to play with in terms of technology.

Elongated Toilet Bowls

Advantages:

  • More comfortable for adult

Because of the shape, this toilet design is much more comfortable for adults as a whole as well as for people who are on the larger/taller size.

 

  • More Powerful flush

Models like this tend to be on the powerful side when it comes to the flush. There are two reasons for this, the larger water surface area and the space available so up to the minute technology can be used.

There is no need to worry if you do have children that are at the toilet training stage in life because manufacturers have designs so you can fit a seat over the top for them.

If style is something that “floats your boat”, an elongated toilet bowl will add a certain something to the overall look of your bathroom.

Disadvantage

  • More expensive

Elongated toilet designs are more expensive than the traditional round shape, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some great deals.

  • Take up more space

They will take up more space in your bathroom so bear this in mind if you have a smaller area to play with. (Actually, the difference in space is not huge, so unless you’re really tight on space, I’d recommend elongated.)

Hope above information is useful for you.

Must Read:https://ortonbaths.com/are-porcelain-toilets-still-the-norm-in-manufacturing/

Must Read:https://ortonbaths.com/examples-of-sanitary-ware-a-comprehensive-overview/

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Siphonic Vs Washdown Toilet, Which is better?

Deciding between a siphon or a wash down style can be a little confusing. So what is the difference between siphon and wash down toilets? 

What is Siphonic & Washdown

Wash Down: In a wash down action toilet, the water from the tank pours into the bowl and washes the material down the outlet. It is a “pushing” action only, and does not evacuate the bowl. Waste is simply “pushed” by free flowing water out of the trapway (usually 4” in diameter). These toilets have small (4’’ x 5’’) water surface areas in the bowls that are deep down in the bowl.

Siphonic : In a siphonic action toilet, the trapway fills with water during the flush which initiates a siphonic action which “pulls” material out of the bowl while the water entering the bowl from the tank through the jet and the rim “pushes” material out. This simultaneous pushing and pulling completely evacuates the bowl during every flush. Normally, the siphonic method employs a smaller outlet (usually 2” diameter).

Comparisons between these two types

  • BOWL SIZE

Siphonic flushing requires a bigger elongated bowl to fill water properly to flush compared to the compact version of the wash down. Most Europeans prefer the space-saving models whilst elongated versions are preferred in the United States, thus, US type toilets to siphonic and European toilets to wash down.

  • WATER SAVING

Wash down toilets is usually equipped with a DUAL FLUSHING mechanism that can accommodate 3 or 6 gallons per flush for solid or liquid waste. In contrast, siphonic toilets require 6 gallons or more to flush properly. Some countries even mandate 4.5 gallon flush capacity. (Dual flushing is not advisable for siphonic systems)

  • TRAPWAY

Siphonic has a greater tendency to clog due to the smaller trapway. Since wash down does not need this suction, it has a larger trapway but leaves less water on the bowl after flushing compared to the half full of the siphonic version. Splashing sometimes occurs when solid waste hits the water for wash down versions. This can be minimized by placing a piece of toilet paper over the water.

  • SPARE PARTS AND MAINTENANCE

Over time, because of the impurities of our water, silicon or rubber washers for both toilets need to be changed. (Water seepage will occur); A wash down toilet has top button flush, ABS plastic float valve and flush valve which rarely need replacement. Siphonic type usually comes with the side lever, ABS plastic float valve and flush valve. Some versions have a float ball and chain which need to be replaced more often. (Replacement parts are generally sold in major hardware stores.)

 

Cleaning

Depending on the holes around the bowl rim where the water comes out, some wash down toilets tend to have “water marks”. Europeans therefore prefer having a toilet brush as a part of their bath accessories over the plunger that is more for the clogging of a siphonic toilet. So make sure you buy a good quality siphonic toilet or you end up having the same maintenance issue of malls where they throwing tissue papers in the bowl is discouraged.

  • CHANGING TOILETS

Siphonic toilets usually require a 12’’ (305mm) outlet from the wall to the center. Wash down versions need only 8-12’’ (200-300mm). So check whether it is possible or not to make adjustments on existing units before buying your toilet. Nowadays, most customers want to change from siphonic to wash down. There will be a difference in outlet of 4’’ gap. You can either move the outlet which will also require you to redo the waterproofing or you can cover this gap with a 4’’ pre-wall. It is best to consult your contractor regarding these changes.

Below is the summary:

DetailsWashdownSiphonic
Water surface areaSmallLarge
TrapwayShort& WideLong& Narrow
Bowl BaseSpace-savingLonger
skid marksHigher possibilityLower possibility
Flush NoiseLoudQuiet
OdorMoreLess
Possibility to ClogLowHigher
MaintenanceEasyA little complicated