Sweet bathroom toilet suites

Expert advice on toilet suite design from Dr Steve Cummings or Caroma.

What's hot in toilet design at the moment?

Wall-hung bathroom toilet suites with concealed cisterns are where consumers are heading. I think it's because architects prefer the look - they like to have clean lines and be able to see the juncture between the floor and the wall in one unbroken line. They're also neater and easier to clean.

What are some of the latest advances in water-efficient toilets?

We've just come out with a toilet suite with an integrated hand basin. After you flush, as the cistern fills, water is redirected through a spout at the top, allowing you to wash your hands. That same water then goes through a waste back into the cistern ready for the next flush.

Anything else?

We've just launched a totally waterless urinal called the H2Zero. This uses a special seal that acts as a one-way, air-tight valve, sealing the cartridge from the drainage system and back pressure situations. This provides an effective barrier between the urinal and drainage system.

Are urinals practical in a domestic setting?

Some people do put them in their bathrooms. If they've got a billiard room or entertainment room, or a swimming pool toilet area, they can be desirable. That's why we've tended to move down in size with our urinals, into more compact models that can be fitted into domestic applications

How much can you expect to pay for a bathroom toilet suite?

These days you can pay anything from $150 for a very basic plastic model, up to $3000 for the latest European toilet suites

What are some of the key things people should look out for when choosing a toilet?

The first thing you've got to look for is water efficiency - that's something that exists at all price points. The projection of the actual toilet seat is also important. What we try to do is make it as compact as possible to the wall while still allowing the seat to stay up.