Toilet Seat Style












1















Why is it that in most home or apartment environments you find toilet seats that look pretty much like this:



enter image description here



(Picture Source: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEMIS-Adjustable-Slow-Close-Never-Loosens-Elongated-Closed-Front-Toilet-Seat-in-White-1530SLOW-000/205845565)



And yet in offices and public places you will most often find toilet seats that look like this (although many also without the lid):



enter image description here



(Picture Source: https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Plumb-TS107-Elongated-Commercial/dp/B00BNAM360)



What is the deal with the open front?



I ask this because I always wonder when I DIY replace old toilet seats if I should select the second style.










share|improve this question





























    1















    Why is it that in most home or apartment environments you find toilet seats that look pretty much like this:



    enter image description here



    (Picture Source: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEMIS-Adjustable-Slow-Close-Never-Loosens-Elongated-Closed-Front-Toilet-Seat-in-White-1530SLOW-000/205845565)



    And yet in offices and public places you will most often find toilet seats that look like this (although many also without the lid):



    enter image description here



    (Picture Source: https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Plumb-TS107-Elongated-Commercial/dp/B00BNAM360)



    What is the deal with the open front?



    I ask this because I always wonder when I DIY replace old toilet seats if I should select the second style.










    share|improve this question



























      1












      1








      1








      Why is it that in most home or apartment environments you find toilet seats that look pretty much like this:



      enter image description here



      (Picture Source: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEMIS-Adjustable-Slow-Close-Never-Loosens-Elongated-Closed-Front-Toilet-Seat-in-White-1530SLOW-000/205845565)



      And yet in offices and public places you will most often find toilet seats that look like this (although many also without the lid):



      enter image description here



      (Picture Source: https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Plumb-TS107-Elongated-Commercial/dp/B00BNAM360)



      What is the deal with the open front?



      I ask this because I always wonder when I DIY replace old toilet seats if I should select the second style.










      share|improve this question
















      Why is it that in most home or apartment environments you find toilet seats that look pretty much like this:



      enter image description here



      (Picture Source: https://www.homedepot.com/p/BEMIS-Adjustable-Slow-Close-Never-Loosens-Elongated-Closed-Front-Toilet-Seat-in-White-1530SLOW-000/205845565)



      And yet in offices and public places you will most often find toilet seats that look like this (although many also without the lid):



      enter image description here



      (Picture Source: https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Plumb-TS107-Elongated-Commercial/dp/B00BNAM360)



      What is the deal with the open front?



      I ask this because I always wonder when I DIY replace old toilet seats if I should select the second style.







      toilet seat






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 4 hours ago







      Michael Karas

















      asked 4 hours ago









      Michael KarasMichael Karas

      43.9k53482




      43.9k53482






















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

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          1














          Cleaning



          I have wondered about this myself (believe it or not) and come to the conclusion that this is to help minimize the amount of cleaning necessary. Without getting too graphic, the front section of the toilet seat is the section most likely to have repeated dirty liquids on it. This is particularly the case in a men's room, as toilets will often be used instead of urinals at busy times. It may not apply as much in the women's room, but not having the front section does not in any way affect the use of the seat, so it is easiest to have one type of seat for all toilets in a building. Should men using a toilet standing simply lift the seat: yes. But (a) the seat often doesn't stay up well and (b) many people don't want to touch the seat at all, for the same reason that disposable seat covers are supplied in many public bathrooms.



          The lid is a combination of cleaning - if you don't have it, you don't have to clean it - and aesthetics. Simply put, the lid in a home bathroom keeps things relatively out-of-sight when using the bath or shower or sink. But in a public bathroom, most people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom (leaving more extensive grooming for their personal bathroom at home) and the toilets, except in a single-toilet bathroom, are behind a door so they are out-of-sight when using the sink anyway.






          share|improve this answer
























          • I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

            – Michael Karas
            3 hours ago



















          1














          It’s a “Public” and “Private” toilet issue.



          Health Departments and plumbing codes require the “open front” seat in public restrooms.



          It’s a sanitation issue. Here’s why:
          http://mentalfloss.com/article/64677/why-are-public-toilet-seats-u-shaped






          share|improve this answer























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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes









            1














            Cleaning



            I have wondered about this myself (believe it or not) and come to the conclusion that this is to help minimize the amount of cleaning necessary. Without getting too graphic, the front section of the toilet seat is the section most likely to have repeated dirty liquids on it. This is particularly the case in a men's room, as toilets will often be used instead of urinals at busy times. It may not apply as much in the women's room, but not having the front section does not in any way affect the use of the seat, so it is easiest to have one type of seat for all toilets in a building. Should men using a toilet standing simply lift the seat: yes. But (a) the seat often doesn't stay up well and (b) many people don't want to touch the seat at all, for the same reason that disposable seat covers are supplied in many public bathrooms.



            The lid is a combination of cleaning - if you don't have it, you don't have to clean it - and aesthetics. Simply put, the lid in a home bathroom keeps things relatively out-of-sight when using the bath or shower or sink. But in a public bathroom, most people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom (leaving more extensive grooming for their personal bathroom at home) and the toilets, except in a single-toilet bathroom, are behind a door so they are out-of-sight when using the sink anyway.






            share|improve this answer
























            • I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

              – Michael Karas
              3 hours ago
















            1














            Cleaning



            I have wondered about this myself (believe it or not) and come to the conclusion that this is to help minimize the amount of cleaning necessary. Without getting too graphic, the front section of the toilet seat is the section most likely to have repeated dirty liquids on it. This is particularly the case in a men's room, as toilets will often be used instead of urinals at busy times. It may not apply as much in the women's room, but not having the front section does not in any way affect the use of the seat, so it is easiest to have one type of seat for all toilets in a building. Should men using a toilet standing simply lift the seat: yes. But (a) the seat often doesn't stay up well and (b) many people don't want to touch the seat at all, for the same reason that disposable seat covers are supplied in many public bathrooms.



            The lid is a combination of cleaning - if you don't have it, you don't have to clean it - and aesthetics. Simply put, the lid in a home bathroom keeps things relatively out-of-sight when using the bath or shower or sink. But in a public bathroom, most people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom (leaving more extensive grooming for their personal bathroom at home) and the toilets, except in a single-toilet bathroom, are behind a door so they are out-of-sight when using the sink anyway.






            share|improve this answer
























            • I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

              – Michael Karas
              3 hours ago














            1












            1








            1







            Cleaning



            I have wondered about this myself (believe it or not) and come to the conclusion that this is to help minimize the amount of cleaning necessary. Without getting too graphic, the front section of the toilet seat is the section most likely to have repeated dirty liquids on it. This is particularly the case in a men's room, as toilets will often be used instead of urinals at busy times. It may not apply as much in the women's room, but not having the front section does not in any way affect the use of the seat, so it is easiest to have one type of seat for all toilets in a building. Should men using a toilet standing simply lift the seat: yes. But (a) the seat often doesn't stay up well and (b) many people don't want to touch the seat at all, for the same reason that disposable seat covers are supplied in many public bathrooms.



            The lid is a combination of cleaning - if you don't have it, you don't have to clean it - and aesthetics. Simply put, the lid in a home bathroom keeps things relatively out-of-sight when using the bath or shower or sink. But in a public bathroom, most people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom (leaving more extensive grooming for their personal bathroom at home) and the toilets, except in a single-toilet bathroom, are behind a door so they are out-of-sight when using the sink anyway.






            share|improve this answer













            Cleaning



            I have wondered about this myself (believe it or not) and come to the conclusion that this is to help minimize the amount of cleaning necessary. Without getting too graphic, the front section of the toilet seat is the section most likely to have repeated dirty liquids on it. This is particularly the case in a men's room, as toilets will often be used instead of urinals at busy times. It may not apply as much in the women's room, but not having the front section does not in any way affect the use of the seat, so it is easiest to have one type of seat for all toilets in a building. Should men using a toilet standing simply lift the seat: yes. But (a) the seat often doesn't stay up well and (b) many people don't want to touch the seat at all, for the same reason that disposable seat covers are supplied in many public bathrooms.



            The lid is a combination of cleaning - if you don't have it, you don't have to clean it - and aesthetics. Simply put, the lid in a home bathroom keeps things relatively out-of-sight when using the bath or shower or sink. But in a public bathroom, most people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom (leaving more extensive grooming for their personal bathroom at home) and the toilets, except in a single-toilet bathroom, are behind a door so they are out-of-sight when using the sink anyway.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 3 hours ago









            manassehkatzmanassehkatz

            7,7891032




            7,7891032













            • I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

              – Michael Karas
              3 hours ago



















            • I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

              – Michael Karas
              3 hours ago

















            I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

            – Michael Karas
            3 hours ago





            I question the statement that people spend as little time as possible in the bathroom when they are not at home. In recent times in the work place I note that some people are spending inordinate amounts of time in the toilet stalls. All I can only guess that they are staring at their smart phones as most the stalls seem very quiet even though occupied.

            – Michael Karas
            3 hours ago













            1














            It’s a “Public” and “Private” toilet issue.



            Health Departments and plumbing codes require the “open front” seat in public restrooms.



            It’s a sanitation issue. Here’s why:
            http://mentalfloss.com/article/64677/why-are-public-toilet-seats-u-shaped






            share|improve this answer




























              1














              It’s a “Public” and “Private” toilet issue.



              Health Departments and plumbing codes require the “open front” seat in public restrooms.



              It’s a sanitation issue. Here’s why:
              http://mentalfloss.com/article/64677/why-are-public-toilet-seats-u-shaped






              share|improve this answer


























                1












                1








                1







                It’s a “Public” and “Private” toilet issue.



                Health Departments and plumbing codes require the “open front” seat in public restrooms.



                It’s a sanitation issue. Here’s why:
                http://mentalfloss.com/article/64677/why-are-public-toilet-seats-u-shaped






                share|improve this answer













                It’s a “Public” and “Private” toilet issue.



                Health Departments and plumbing codes require the “open front” seat in public restrooms.



                It’s a sanitation issue. Here’s why:
                http://mentalfloss.com/article/64677/why-are-public-toilet-seats-u-shaped







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 1 hour ago









                Lee SamLee Sam

                9,7813615




                9,7813615






























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