Wall Hung Toilets | Pros, Cons & Advice

Do you love the look of that floating, wall hung toilet in your friend’s new bathroom remodel? But not sure exactly how it works and what’s involved in having one. Fear not! This is the post for you!

In this post, I’ll explain what a wall hung toilet is and how it works. As well as answer some popular questions about the topic.

Let’s dive in!

What Is A Wall Hung Toilet?

A wall hung toilet (sometimes called a wall-mounted or floating toilet) is mounted to framing in the wall instead of a pedestal design with the waste plumbed straight down into the floor. Instead, the waste pipe is located at the back of the toilet, allowing it to hang off the wall above the floor. In many instances, the cistern is hidden behind the finished wall.

Wall-hung toilets are now appearing in more homes while sporting a modern, minimalistic appearance.

However, being wall-hung does not mean it works any differently from your standard toilet. Most designs use the same flush handle or button and a cistern to provide water pressure for a clean flush.

If you are creating a bespoke spa suite, you can easily find wall-hung toilets that include a bidet function, heated seats, lights, self-cleaning cycles, and ultra-low water usage.

 
How it Works

When installing the toilet as a retrofit, the contractor will build out a frame of timber studs. Some toilets include a pre-fabbed frame to use in its place. Long bolts secure the toilet seat to the frame. If there is a cistern, it fits between the studs and is connected to the toilet.

Once all the plumbing is connected, the wall is finished to hide the studs. You may have a button on the toilet seat or on the wall to flush the toilet.

For new homes, the toilet is mounted into the original studs before the walls are finished.

Care must be taken to properly measure the height of the waste pipes in the wall before connecting the wall-hung toilet. If the waste pipe is at the wrong height, you may end up with a very short or very tall toilet seat.

Metal support frame for a wall hung toilet
Metal support frame for a wall-hung toilet

Typical Cost

Most wall-hung toilets are priced between £250 and £500. You may find a bargain for just £100, but you won’t have much of a selection at that price point.

If you are going all tech toy with the installation, it is possible to spend up to £8,000 on a toilet with a motion-activated seat, flush, bidet, heat, lights, and sometimes sound.

The installation will run £1,000 or more with the need for some finish carpentry, too. This is not a quick DIY weekend project.

A standard floor-mount toilet runs between £100 and £250 and typically costs less than £500 to install with a professional.

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Advantages Of Wall Hung Toilets

  • A good option for small spaces: Since the cistern is hidden inside the wall, a wall-hung toilet uses less floor space compared to a traditional design. It’s a great idea for your cloakroom.

  • Sleek, modern design: Wall-hung toilets give your bathroom a contemporary appearance. Your guests will love the sleek floating look.

  • Height-adjustable installation: Since there is no pedestal, you determine just how tall or short your toilet seat will be. The height must be selected before the waste pipe, flooring and framing are completed.

  • Accessible design: The lack of the bulky cistern at the back makes a wall-mount toilet a good choice for people that need to transfer from a wheelchair onto the toilet. It can also be installed at a height that is more comfortable for their needs.

Wall Hung Toilet Problems

  • Expensive upgrade: The toilet will cost more compared to a traditional toilet. Also, the installer will need to build framing and plumbing specific to the type of wall-hung toilet that you order. You may spend as much as four times as much on this toilet.

  • Pricier repairs: Since the tank and flush mechanisms are located inside the wall, you will pay more to have the toilet serviced. You may also have trouble sourcing parts as these are not as common as pedestal-style toilets.

  • Replacing will be problematic: If your wall-hung toilet is ever damaged or destroyed, you will need to build all new framing designed for a new wall-hung toilet. Unlike floor-mounted models, there is no standard design for wall-mounted toilets.

  • Call the Pros: From installation to maintenance, this is not a toilet designed to be repaired by the homeowner. What was a simple fix on the old toilet, may require calling in a licensed plumber.

Is there a weight limit for wall-hung toilets?

Yes, most wall-hung toilets are installed to support at least 35.7 stone or 226.8 kg. This ensures that nearly every public toilet can support the majority of the population.

It is possible to break a wall-hung toilet or damage the connections to the pipes if it is subjected to a sledgehammer or a violent altercation.

But in daily use, a wall-hung toilet is just as durable as a floor-mount toilet.

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Are wall-hung toilets more expensive to install?

Yes, you will pay considerably more to add a wall-hung toilet to your home. Because the cistern is hidden behind a finished wall, you will need to pay for additional framing as required by the toilet manufacturer.

If you are replacing an existing wall-hung toilet, there will be some demolition to the wall to adjust the framing to support the new toilet.

A floor-mount toilet takes about two hours for a skilled plumber to replace it. It may take one or two days to allow for the proper framing to be installed for the wall mount.

The toilet itself goes into place in about three hours. Expect to pay £200 to install a floor-mount and up to £1,000 for the wall-hung toilet–not including the fixture.

How high should a wall-hung toilet be from the floor?

The most common height to install a wall-hung toilet is 38 cm from the floor to the top rim of the seat.

However, if you are tall or use a wheelchair, it is possible to install it up to 50 cm from the ground.  Some nursery or primary schools will mount their toilets lower to accommodate young children.

Talk to your plumber before installation to find a height that is comfortable for you and your family.

Final Thoughts…

There you have it! Everything you need to know about wall hung toilets.

A fantastic sleek and contemporary toilet upgrade for any new bathroom renovation. However, with more style comes more costs.

Not only will you likely be paying more for the toilet itself, but the installation process is also more involved and more complex. Meaning it will cost you more money!

Weigh up the pros and cons to see if a wall hung toilet is a worthwhile investment in your home.

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Michael R

Michael is a KBB designer from the UK. He's been designing and project managing new Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom installations for over eight years now, and before that, he was an electrician and part of a KBB fitting team. He created The Bathroom Blueprint in early 2020.