Do-it-yourself warm toilet seat - step-by-step instructions

For many owners of suburban areas and houses, the problem of installing a warm seat for an outdoor toilet remains urgent. Despite the fact that today there are many technological possibilities for arranging a bathroom inside a country house, a large number of people still continue to use external toilets. This is due to various reasons. A dacha village may not have a centralized water supply and drainage system, and installing your own well and local sewage system is technically or financially difficult. In such cases, you can purchase a compact dry closet. However, this option will not work if the country house does not have a room in which it could be installed. In addition, such a device is expensive in itself, and its maintenance and operation requires constant financial costs. This is why many summer cottages still have outdoor toilets. This is where a seat for a country toilet becomes necessary, which would be convenient to use not only in warm but also in cold weather. How can you arrange a seat for maximum convenience in using an outdoor toilet?

Toilet Seat Materials

Wooden seat
The convenience and reliability of the design depend on what material the seat is made of. The main structural materials can be identified.

The most common lids are made of plastic (PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene). Advantages: low price, ease of maintenance, ease of assembly, universal use, light weight. Disadvantages: rigidity, low mechanical strength, susceptibility to scratches.

A modern material for seats is duroplast: its characteristics are close to ceramics, but it is based on plastic. It has increased mechanical strength, has antibacterial additives, and is chemically resistant to different environments.

Wooden seat

This seat is easy to clean, does not absorb odors and looks great. All you need to do is measure the dimensions of the toilet, correctly cut the seat out of wood and then carefully process it so as not to get a splinter. The cover and the seat itself are fastened with hinges.

Important! When making a saddle, you need to be extremely careful so as not to get a splinter or get injured.

Warm homemade seats

Summer residents are usually skilled people.
They love to create various household items with their own hands. Why not make a warm seat for a country outdoor toilet? One of the most common options here are seats trimmed with animal fur. In villages, rabbit skins are most often used for this. To make a warm seat, you need to take an ordinary plastic seat, which is unpleasant to use in winter, and tightly cover it with rabbit skin. In recent years, peat outdoor toilets have become very popular among domestic summer residents. They allow you not only to conveniently cope with small and large needs, but also to produce compost, which is successfully used to increase the fertility of garden plants. For some models of such toilets, special seats have been created that allow liquid and solid waste from the human body to be collected separately.

How are such devices constructed? There is a special funnel attached to it at the bottom of the seat. A special corrugated tube leads from it to a container for collecting urine. Solid waste is collected in another container. These seats are designed for use in outdoor toilet buildings. Therefore, the seats themselves are made of polypropylene, making them quite comfortable to use even in the cold season.

Thus, today there is a significant selection of means and devices for comfortable use of a country toilet in any season. If you carefully monitor the cleanliness of the toilet seat, as well as other interior elements, you can achieve a high level of comfort in using a toilet located on the street. In addition, there is now a huge amount of household chemicals that make it possible to get rid of unpleasant odors in such buildings, as well as keep them in an acceptable sanitary and hygienic condition.

The toilet seat is an important element of the plumbing fixture, providing comfort and aesthetic perception of the entire structure. Historically, this item has evolved from a simple wooden stand to a multifunctional electronic device, which is associated with different capabilities and needs of people.

Nowadays, toilet seats come in different designs, shapes and designs. Choosing it became a big problem due to the huge assortment. In this regard, the choice of this element should be approached seriously and thoroughly.

Foam seats

The simplest and cheapest, but at the same time acceptable and quite convenient solution are foam seats. They are made of foamed polypropylene, which has a sufficient degree of rigidity so as not to deform under the weight of the human body. In addition, this material has a high level of durability. This toilet seat can last for several years, and its approximate cost is about 300 rubles. This is a really symbolic price for not experiencing wild discomfort every time from visiting an outdoor toilet in the autumn-winter season.

The low level of thermal conductivity of foamed polypropylene does not allow the product to freeze strongly. If you sit on it even in frosty weather, the feeling of discomfort will not be very strong. Finally, an important advantage of this option is its hygiene. Such products are easy to wash and clean. At the same time, their outer layer is not damaged. Its integrity ensures that bacteria, mold and mildew will not grow in cracks, scratches and recesses.

Thus, foam seats have a number of advantages that ensure their popularity and demand. Their comparative disadvantage is that foam products can burst, break or become deformed if they are used by people who are very overweight. If a person who regularly uses the toilet weighs more than 100 kg, a polypropylene foam seat can quickly fail.

Selection criteria in case of replacement

If it so happens that the question of replacing the toilet seat has arisen, it is necessary to match the existing plumbing. It is recommended to take measurements of the plumbing fixture in terms of dimensions and shape. You should also clarify the location of the mounting holes under the seat.

The width size is measured at the points of greatest “run-up” of the structure. The length dimension is taken from the edge of the front part of the curb to the point of the center line passing between the centers of the holes intended for attaching the toilet seat.

Standard dimensions of plumbing fixtures for different designs. Based on these parameters, a toilet seat is selected in case of a new installation to replace the old toilet seat. If you know these dimensions, choosing a seat of a suitable configuration is easy.

Often, toilet owners who have had to change the toilet seat prefer to choose more advanced models instead of the standard design. This choice is explained by their desire for novelty.

Meanwhile, new products “with heating”, “with backlighting”, “with motion sensors” in practice turn into even bigger problems. A serious manufacturer of plumbing fixtures is not yet in a hurry to offer such an “exclusive” to the buyer. Such proposals usually come from Chinese companies.

How to choose a toilet seat by size?

It is also important to approach your choice with an understanding of how to choose the right size toilet seat. Despite the fact that there are certain standards for the manufacture of toilets, most manufacturers do not adhere to them. Because of this, some ceramic products have completely unique dimensions, for which choosing a seat is not the easiest test.

Before purchasing a toilet lid according to dimensions from a catalog or in a specialized store, you need to know the dimensions themselves. To do this you need to take the dimensions:

width;
distances between mounting holes;
distance from the edge of the cover and a straight line passing through the center of the mounting holes.

The first measurement must be taken at the widest part, the second through the center of the holes. It will not be possible to measure everything with one hundred percent accuracy, but an extra couple of millimeters will not play a special role. The last measurement is taken along an imaginary line; naturally, you can draw this line with a pencil, and then draw a perpendicular to it, in this case you can achieve more accurate dimensions.

Important! Most of the square and round toilet models are standard, so the manufacturer of the seats does not play a big role in their selection; in the case of a non-standard design, it is recommended to purchase accessories in the company’s showroom of the same company.

To correctly determine the dimensions, it is best to trace the outline of the toilet on cardboard. You also need to remember about the attachment points - they also need to be marked on the layout. When choosing a toilet seat, you need to focus on the template you received and look closely at models whose size does not exceed the dimensions of the toilet bowl by more than 1 cm.

Another option is to choose a universal toilet seat, which is very popular. Combines several options of different diameters. The seat can be double or even triple. Another name for it is family, since each family member gets a separate toilet seat.

As a rule, these covers are made of duroplast and are equipped with metal fasteners. Because of this, they have a fairly long service life, at the same time, their price is relatively cheap.

Problems when replacing a seat

Some problems when replacing a toilet seat or lid may occur on plumbing fixtures that have served the owners for several years. Removing fasteners on an old toilet seat is especially difficult if metal bolts and nuts that are susceptible to corrosion were used.

The high level of humidity in the toilet area is created by the water present in the flush cistern. This is the main reason for the appearance of rust and oxides on threads.

In this condition, it is extremely difficult to unscrew the nuts from the mounting bolts, and sometimes impossible using traditional methods. We have to resort to radical measures.

Metal fastenings of toilet plumbing fixtures, which do not have protection against oxides and corrosion, tend to “boil”. In such cases, only non-standard approaches help to unscrew the nuts

So, if the thread of a bolt or stud is damaged by corrosion and twisting the nut is not possible even with a wrench, the problem can still be solved.

Why do the following:

Use an electric drill.
Place a drill bit with a diameter slightly smaller than the wall thickness of the nut into the drill chuck.
Carefully drill the nut from its bottom edge to the top.
Insert a suitable metal rod into the hole.
Try to “break” the nut using the pumping forces of the rod.

Sometimes a similar situation occurs on plastic fittings. It happens that during installation (during cleaning) the threaded part of the stud is accidentally damaged. A defect in the plastic thread will also prevent the seat mount from being removed in the usual way.

If you cannot twist the nuts using a tool, you can cut them off with a sharp thin knife, after heating the knife blade to the melting temperature of the plastic (120-130º C).

Part of the fastening fittings for seats with covers is made of brass and bronze. This metal does not corrode, but has the ability to quickly oxidize in the presence of moisture. The oxides, in turn, form “growths” on the threads, which over time become comparable in hardness to the same metal.

It helps to unscrew such connections by pre-wetting them (and holding them for a while) with machine oil. Apply lubricant to the connection easily and conveniently with a plastic disposable syringe.

“Varm” - insulated, heated toilet cabin

The “Varm” model is a high-quality cabin from EcoMaster, which has no analogues on the Russian market. The toilet is completely suitable for year-round use. The plastic from which the cabin is made can withstand temperatures from +60 °C to -60 °C.

We tested the VARM dry toilet for two years at temperatures below -20 °C. A comfortable above-zero temperature was maintained inside!

In comparison with previous options, the insulated dry closet “VARM” is the optimal solution.

Advantages of the plastic toilet "VARM":

The entire cabin, including the roof, panels and door, is made of two-layer rotomolded plastic. This guarantees high reliability and durability of the cabin.
Double panels insulated with polystyrene, a double-layer roof and a door maintain positive temperature in the cabin, protect against cold and drafts.
A double insulated tray made of OSB and wood will provide additional protection from cold and snow.
Inside the cabin, our company installs a full package of electrical equipment, an LED flashlight, 2 automatic switches and a 1000 W heat convector.
Despite the double insulated design, the toilet cabin remains mobile. Its weight does not exceed 100 kg, which means you can easily move it without the services of a loader.

And now the best part. The price of the “VARM” model is 38,000 rubles.

Conclusions: the best solution is the “VARM” toilet cabin. It is cheaper and lighter than sandwich panels. "VARM" is more effective than independent insulation. The thermal convector heats the air to the desired temperature, and the double design maintains warmth and comfort. And high-quality and reliable plastic makes the cabin almost indestructible.

Step-by-step instruction

In order to change the lid on the toilet according to all the rules, you need to adhere to the following action plan:

The first step is to remove the old lid from the toilet. You may need a special tool for this. Plastic bolts can simply be cut with a sharp knife, while brass bolts can be easily unscrewed. If the cover is secured with steel bolts, then they will need to be cut with a grinder. In this case, it is recommended to cover the floor with some kind of rag, in this case there will be no very sharp metal filings under your feet while working. Take the new lid along with the seat and, placing it against the toilet, check whether they have the correct shape and size

Then pay attention to the correspondence of the placement of the bolts and the holes intended for them on the cover. If everything fits, all that remains is to install the bolts, having previously aligned the fastening locations.

A few important rules:

When installing the seat, it must be moved forward as much as possible.
If the bolts are fastened tightly enough, the installed cover will not move at all. Otherwise, if it moves in different directions as soon as you sit on it, this may not only cause the lid or toilet to break, but you may also get injured.
When all work is completed, sit on the seat and evaluate how securely it is fixed.

Wooden lids: more “against” than “for”

Wooden toilet seats have been used since the middle of the last century. Just a couple of decades ago, in the toilet of a communal apartment, you could see a row of wooden seats hanging on nails on the wall. Rubber pads were glued to the bottom of each for convenient use: thanks to them, the seat lay firmly and did not slip on the toilet. Today their appearance will seem terrible to many. And then they didn’t know anyone else, everyone was happy with these - strong, reliable, durable and affordable. They were without lids.

In fact, GOST 15062-83, according to which toilet seat covers are manufactured, has not been canceled. According to the standard, only birch plywood can be used as a material for wooden toilet seats. And they were produced without lids.

Consumers are now more often offered seats with covers. But they are mostly imported. But a foreign manufacturer has no business with GOST. Manufacturers are often guided by specifications - technical conditions that are agreed upon with the wholesale customer (dimensions, type, strength, etc.).

Nowadays, wooden seats with covers are in fashion. Although modern research convinces of the harmfulness of these:

The varnish that is used to cover wood is toxic. Possible skin dermatitis;
microbes and fungi grow in wood, a humid environment contributes to this;
wood absorbs phenol and formaldehyde, which are found in many cleaning products. And then the seat turns into a source of substances harmful to humans.

How calm is it?

A toilet seat cover for children is a special device that is similar to a standard high chair, but only slightly smaller. As a rule, manufacturers offer products of this look in bright colors and with attractive designs.

In this way, you can attract the child’s attention, which will speed up the process of getting used to the adult toilet.

It is very important that the baby’s first “acquaintance” with this subject is comfortable. To do this, you should choose a pad with a soft surface that will be warm and pleasant to the body.

The child will definitely like this option, unlike nondescript cold plastic. Some people use disposable toilet seat covers, but they are quite expensive and are mostly used in public places.

Read also our article How to adjust a toilet seat for children and adults.

Children's toilet seat covers are not only comfortable, but also safer than a regular high chair. They are recommended by experts for this wine and have received a lot of positive feedback from parents and children themselves.

Such a device is easily installed on the toilet and can be removed instantly. There is no need to perform complex manipulations to make the toilet accessible to an adult. The pads are a universal device that is perfect for boys and girls. It can be used by children from 1.5 years old. It is advisable that the child master the potty first. This will make it easier for him to get used to the adult toilet.

Prices and manufacturers

The following plumbing manufacturers manufacture electronic toilet covers:

Japan - Panasonic, SensPa, Izumi, SATO.
Spain.
Switzerland.
South Korea – LS Daewon, Nanobiget, Yoyo.

Unlike standard toilet seats, universal electronic lids are several orders of magnitude more expensive. The price of budget models ranges from 15–20 thousand rubles. The price of a toilet seat with maximum functionality, for example, from Geberit, will exceed 80 thousand rubles.

Seat fastener

Choosing the right quality seat is only half the task. You also need to secure it, for which you will need seat fasteners. Although at first glance this may seem like a trifle, it is they who will make the operation of the seats reliable and durable.

The mounting kit includes:

a brass or plastic screw designed to secure the sleeve. The price of the latter will always be lower, but its reliability will also be lower;
nut - most often plastic or nylon for easier tightening. Sometimes it is made of stainless steel;
decorative cap (not always used).

The photo shows plastic screws and a nut for attaching the seat to the toilet

Fasteners for toilet seats are made from different materials. The most popular are systems made of stainless steel; this material is intended for long-term use.

Installation is quick and easy; there are special holes on the toilet for this purpose. Most often, only the strength of your hands is enough; sometimes you can tighten the nut with a wrench.

How to choose a toilet lid

Before you replace the seat, you must select the correct cover shape.

Currently, their range is huge, so you should pay attention not to the fact that it is soft, very expensive or, for example, in the form of an aquarium, but that it is exactly the same size as the previous one.

The seat must match the dimensions of the toilet rim
. Otherwise, the latter may be wide, and you buy a narrow model, then dirt will begin to accumulate. In addition, the seat itself will become unstable.

Removing the old seat and installing a new one

Let's consider the simplest option:

Look under the toilet where you should see 2 screws with nuts.
If they are plastic, unscrew them yourself, otherwise you may need wrenches.

Installation of a seat with microlift

There is no need to worry in advance about the unclear name of this product. The installation method does not change from loud words. You also need to install the lid in 2 holes on the toilet, which is still considered the most optimal option for attaching it.

After removing the old lid, put special rubber rings on the new fastener for a softer fit to the toilet, and secure it from below with nuts.

Unlike the previous option, sometimes they require some adjustment. This usually concerns the tightness of the seat to the toilet.

This is necessary in order not to damage the expensive product during operation. To do this, make adjustments using adjusting cups that are screwed onto the mounting bolt. You should get a tight and even fit of the seat over the entire surface of the plumbing fixture.

For inexpensive seats, plastic screws are usually used.
When twisting them, do not overdo it. In addition, if the nuts are tightened too tightly, the stability of the seat may be impaired. If this happens, loosen one or two nuts.

If the seat is combined with a cover, do not rush to tighten it completely until the cover is inserted
. There are times when it’s not clear the first time, and the instructions don’t really explain anything. Otherwise, the cover will not be installed smoothly or will not be able to be secured at all. Therefore, you will have to unscrew everything again.
The principle of installing the seat is approximately the same for everyone; they may differ only in nuances.

What else should you pay attention to when choosing?

If the bathtub or toilet has a specific interior, then special attention should be paid to the design of the toilet seat and it should be selected taking into account the design of the room.

For a family with small children, a lid with pictures is perfect. A standard toilet, whose design does not differ in any special features, can be equipped with a monochromatic design. Not a bad option if you take a product with a wood pattern.

Particular attention should be paid to the resistance of materials to different types of cleaning agents. The seat is most often subjected to treatment, unlike other elements of the bathroom or toilet, and for cleaning, strong products containing chlorine, acids and other active substances are most often used. The seat should have a simple shape for easier maintenance.

A good toilet seat should meet the following characteristics:

safety;
convenience;
quality;
durability;
external design;
proportionality;
functionality, in this case the set of capabilities should be determined by the needs of future users.

Particular attention should be paid to checking the external surface of the product. Its structure should be even and smooth. At the same time, there should be no cracks, chips, plastic deposits or splinters on it.

Exclusive toilet seats

Plumbing fixtures for the toilet, equipped with electronics, have not been surprising for a long time. Recently, toilets have also come close to the electronic fraternity. Regulators for drainage, water intake, disinfection, filtration - these functions become integral parts of bidets and urinals.

Some of these functions are also used on toilet seats. So, heated seats are quickly gaining popularity.

The installation of the electric model is basically the same as the standard version. The only addition is cable laying and installation of an electrical outlet.

The toilet is from the group of “exclusive” products. In addition to the usual functions, the device is equipped with an additional feature - a seat heating system. Installation of such plumbing requires an additional supply of electrical communications.

The design of models with illuminated bowls is not entirely clear - what benefit do they bring to the toilet visitor? However, these solutions remain relevant due to the stability of their demand in the market.

The installation of a backlit seat must include the installation of an electrical network in the toilet area. At the same time, there are models of seat covers, where the backlight lamps are powered by batteries.

The batteries are built directly inside the seat structure. You cannot do without installing electrical communications in the case of using toilets with a motion control function.

Finished model

A striking example is the electronic toilet seat, which not only provides heating, but also allows you to take care of personal hygiene. These nozzle caps are almost identical in appearance to classic products, but in addition they have additional hygienic devices on board that are controlled by electronics.

What can an electronic seat do?

In addition to the standard heating function, the essence of which is to increase the temperature of the part of the structure (the upper area of the seat itself) in contact with human skin, electronic models combine in one housing:

Bidet with enema washing, air saturation, pulsation and mono jet modes.
Hydromassage – provides direction of the massage jet to a given point.
Drying – allows you to eliminate the use of toilet paper due to the pre-installed hair dryer.

All functions are controlled by a control panel, which is mounted on the side or rear of the structure. In addition, the user has the opportunity to independently control the temperature of the supplied water and the seat itself, water pressure, and start the deodorization mode.

Some seats are equipped with soft closing devices for the lid, human presence sensors, liquid soap supply and self-cleaning systems, and a remote control.

Installation of the heated seat is quick - just follow the instructions that come with the kit. Seat installation is carried out in stages:

The water supply is shut off and the supply hose is disconnected.
The fastenings of the already installed seat are unscrewed, and the electronic cover is mounted on the toilet bowl.
A filter and hose are connected to the T-valve, the return part of which is connected to the drain tank.
The seat is connected to a power source.
The water supply opens.

Obviously, the number of features and material affect the cost. Advanced heated models have metal nozzles and plastic seats coated with silver particles, which act as a natural antiseptic, ensuring sterility of surfaces and working elements.

Brief overview of manufacturers

The variety of products on the Russian market is explained by the presence of a large number of foreign manufacturers, since there are quite a few well-known and proven domestic brands. Among Russian companies producing toilet accessories, we can highlight such brands as:

SANITA LUXE;
Santek;
Keramin;
IDDIS.

Seat cover Sanita Luxe CLASSIC white thermoplastic. The cost of a set with a toilet is 5,750 rubles. A model with a microlift costs 150 rubles. more expensive than without it

Real high-quality products are presented to the Russian market by well-known foreign brands:

Geberit (Switzerland);
Cersanit (Poland);
Laufen (Switzerland);
Roca (Spain);
Ifo (Sweden);
IDO (Finland);
Jacob Delafon (France);
Villeroy & Boch (France);
Vitra (Türkiye);
Jika (Czech Republic).

The Laufen company is focused on producing luxury sanitary ware and accessories, and is also concerned about the problem of water conservation, so the products surprise with both their perfect design and technicality. The assortment includes many designer models for floor-standing and wall-hung toilets.

Model in pink color Laufen Mimo for a wall-hung toilet with a micro-lift, the color of the fittings is chrome, there is the possibility of quick dismantling. The lid is treated with an antibacterial coating. Cost – 8,600 rubles.

The Geberit company aims to produce the most comfortable products and every year surprises with new modern models with electronic support. Of course, the cost of seat covers is quite high and reaches 160 thousand rubles, but there are models for 25-30 thousand rubles.

Geberit bidet lid from the AquaClean collection with automatic rinsing, heating, infrared sensor, spray setting, hairdryer and remote control. Cost – 159 thousand rubles.

The Spanish company Roca specializes in the production of mid-level plumbing fixtures, but from high-quality materials. The assortment is varied - from inexpensive models for 3-5 thousand rubles. to electronically controlled seats for 50 thousand rubles.

Roca America seat cover in cherry wood-look Thermodure. Microlift, metal fastenings, convenient quick removal system. Cost – 11,500 rubles.

If you want to purchase an inexpensive and safe model, pay attention to the products of the Czech brand Jika. The cost of most models is 1.5 thousand

rub. – 5 thousand rubles. Products of a classic type, environmentally friendly, easy to use.

The Jika Vega seat cover is white in a modern style, with an antibacterial coating, without a microlift. Material: duroplast, chrome-plated fasteners. Cost – 2,300 rubles.

Some useful tips for choosing:

As you can see, the choice is quite large and largely depends on financial capabilities. If funds allow, you can purchase more comfortable models with additional options, but there are also convenient, inexpensive models in a classic style with a microlift. When purchasing, do not forget about the size, quality of the material and the suitability of the style of the product to the environment.

From time to time you still have to change the toilet seat along with the lid. The process is actually simple and easy to do yourself. Even if you have never done this, the work will not be difficult.

Today our task comes down to telling you in clear language how to properly remove the old seat, what needs to be unscrewed and where, and then showing with your fingers how to assemble and screw on the new one.

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Rectangular option

First of all, let's look at the most common rectangular wooden option. It is constructed in the following sequence:

1. A rectangular structure is constructed from bars. Installation occurs with reference to the base and back wall of the toilet. The size you choose is arbitrary, taking into account ease of use.

2. The top and sides of the frame are covered with boards or plywood. An oval or circle is marked in the middle. A hole is cut using a jigsaw according to the template.

3. Next, it is advisable to take care of external processing. Necessary to impart water-repellent properties. Varnish or impregnation for wood is suitable. The internal and external parts should be processed.

4. On top you can put a foam toilet seat or a plastic one from an ordinary porcelain toilet. It is advisable to fix the second one with self-tapping screws so that it does not move during use.

When designing as a powder closet, the upper part should be made opening. This is necessary to remove the filled container. You can learn about arranging a powder closet in the article about arranging a country wooden toilet. Link after the article.

To avoid contamination of the walls of the box, the following option is possible. Take an old bucket. Cut off the bottom. Fix it under the toilet seat hole with self-tapping screws. Place a plastic seat with a lid on top.

How to make a warm toilet seat with your own hands