New toilet

[carrie74]

OMG, who knew choosing a new toilet would be so difficult? [weeps]

Plumber has recommended Roca or Duravit (never heard of either of them, but then I haven't bought a toilet....ever), NOT rimless. Every Roca and Duravit I look at is rimless. Needs to be wall hung.

Any other brands I should be looking at (or more importantly, avoiding)? Previous toilet was a Grohe I think, toilet seat cracked and was going to be £400 just to replace the seat [more weeping].

Why do you not want a rimless toilet?

All the brands you've mentioned are quite good brands.

Rimless toilets are easier to clean. What’s not to like?

Have you got in touch with grohe about the seat? Also, most toilet seats are replacable with cheaper ones. If you know the model of your toilet, go to your local plumbers merchant and they should hopefully be able to supply you with a universal seat.

look for an arse-shaped seat. Don't buy a square bog unless you've got a square arse. WC pans of abnormal shape need a seat of abnormal shape, which in future years may be ridiculously expensive, or even unobtainable.

You could buy a cheap seat in the high Street and carry it round to showrooms to verify it fits.

I am very fond of Twyford sanitaryware. Modern low-water pand often have a poor flush, so I trust a make that has been around for a hundred years and knows how to make a bog that works, rather than one that looks flashy stylish. Like taps.

Thanks everyone, apologies for radio silence.

Yes, contacted Grohe re seat - it's an old model, and a really weird fixing, hence the cost of replacement - not worth it.

Rimless toilet was recommended by plumber - he didn't rate them.

Piglet - yes hate square toilets, I just want something [ahem] bog standard, no lights and whistles, just a classic style, wall hung so fits the space (and can clean underneath). Thank you for the Twyford recommendation too.

Should I steer clear of the bargain websites?

I got mine in the local builders providers for €99. It’s comfort height so I don’t feel like I’m squatting on the floor.

Your plumber probably doesn't like rimless toilets because they are more tricky to install (so that they don't splash the water over the bowl) ;-)
However, they are so much easier to clean!!

bargain websites may be selling a poor model. There are a lot of complaints about poor flush on modern low-water usage WCs.

I've found Twyford very good. They are likely to come with a quiet dual flush and an adjustable fill valve so you can set the water height and the flush volume. This means you can increase it a bit if you feel the need (get the installer to show you, or do it).

Armitage Shanks are another top supplier, they have a wide range of traditional styles intended to match or blend in old houses, hotels and offices.

Ideal Standard is another good make.

With these major suppliers there is a good chance of spares and seats being available in future, which is not always the case with imports and unbranded goods.

QS supplies sometimes has good prices.

I'm not keen on press-button flushes that make it hard to get the lid off, so in a showroom verify that you can easily do it with nothing but your hands.

Don't hide the cistern in the wall and tile over it. Much sadness will result when you have to hack it open to change a washer or something.

Can you post a pic of the toilet? Or tell us what model it is. If you could do one from the front and top, can see how the seat is attached and spaced. I'm sure there should be a seat that will replace it, available from elsewhere. Grohe are brilliant products, but the fact that they make it difficult to get their stuff from anywhere apart from them is poor.
As John has said, Ideal Standard is good, Travis Perkins Iflo (cheaper) is pretty good, as is Roca which seems to be the standard in the industry at the moment.
Rimless toilets are a good idea, but work out as more expensive, and I'm not sure what sort of lifespan they have yet.

Wickes about £50 take away range works well