Toilet Seat Weight Limits for Different Toilet Designs


Toilet seat weight limits of different toilet brands on the market aren’t always openly disclosed. Therefore, to get the right toilet seat capable of supporting the weight of a majority of people, which is 200 pounds, you’ll need to closely check out the spec lists of the product before you make a purchase. This article will make the process of checking the correct toilet seat weight limit easier, faster, and much clearer.

Wall Mounted Toilet vs. Floor Mounted

Many homes either have a wall-mounted toilet or a floor-mounted model (standard toilet). The toilet weight-bearing capacity for these two types of toilets is not the same as you’ll find out soon.

Floor Mounted Toilet 

A standard floor-mounted toilet has a higher weight limit compared to the wall-mounted model. Since the standard toilets are firmly attached to the floor, they’re capable of supporting a higher weight capacity than the wall-mounted models. Meaning, a floor-mounted toilet that is sufficient for supporting around 1,000 pounds can hold the weights of even the heaviest users. 

So, if you invest in a floor-mounted toilet, then you really don’t have to worry about inviting your heavyweight friends over for dinner; the toilet can virtually hold the weight of anybody. Apart from being comfortable for people of all sizes, floor-mounted toilets are easy to install and maintain than wall-mounted toilets. That’s why we often recommend floor-mounted toilets to heavy people.

Wall Mounted Toilets

It’s not uncommon to find wall-mounted toilets in some homes and even commercial buildings. These toilet models are fixed to the wall and don’t reach the ground like the standard models. Even though these toilets’ toilet seat weight limit is about 500 pounds, on average, they can hold even heavier users comfortably.

However, over time, that poses another risk of potential accidents if a user falls when using an old wall-mounted toilet that has gotten lost over time. Remember, bathroom accidents can be fatal, especially where older individuals are involved. Furthermore, since the plumbing of these toilets is located on the wall, their installation and maintenance processes are slightly complicated.

Average Toilet Seat Weight Limit

It’s important that you know how to differentiate between the overall weight of a toilet and the weight a toilet seat is capable of holding. A majority of toilet models have a toilet seat weight limit of 300 pounds. That’s why you’ll find most of the toilets in many commercial buildings have cracks because they’re not designed to withstand all kinds of wriggling, even from lightweight users. It’s very easy for a heavyweight individual to crack such a standard toilet seat.

Unfortunately, some toilet companies don’t give sufficient information when it comes to toilet seat weight limits. This makes the entire toilet seat buying process even more complicated, especially when you have an overweight person in your family.

It could have been easier for you to choose the right toilet seat weight-bearing capacity if every toilet company, especially the popular brands, made an effort to provide such sensitive information about their products. Aside from mentioning every piece of information about the benefits of their products’ features, it would also benefit the companies if they mentioned their toilet seat weight limits.

What Is The Adequate Toilet Seat Weight Limit?

On average, an ordinary man weighs around 196 lbs, while a woman weighs 166 lbs. Even the most obese person in your household may not likely weigh over 450 lbs. This means that even a wall-mounted toilet with a weight limit of 500 pounds can easily hold the weights of most users without cracking or breaking. However, it’s advisable to invest in a standard toilet that is mounted on the floor if you’re obese because its weight limit is double that of a wall-mounted toilet seat.

Round Vs. Elongated Toilet Seat Weight Limits

Toilet seats are not manufactured in terms of sizes but instead, come in either round or elongated shapes. Each of these shapes corresponds to different shapes of toilet bowls, as well. Most residential bathrooms are fitted with round toilet seats, which are considered the most common standard shapes. 

Open-front toilet seats are designed in such a manner because they are more user-friendly to female users. A toilet seat that forces a female user to come into contact with the seat while using the toilet is obviously unhygienic!

Besides the weight-bearing capacity of the toilet seat, you should also consider the strength of the toilet bowls. Typically, a heavy-duty seat will serve heavier users better than a less sturdy model. A toilet seat that weighs approximately 300 pounds is easier to crack over time. 

Additionally, a larger bowl that extends further from the wall is capable of holding extra weight because a user’s weight is distributed more evenly. Smaller bowls with depths of 24 to 26 inches won’t provide you with such efficiency.

To avoid wasting your hard-earned money on frequent toilet seat replacement, consider going for sturdy toilet seats that have been built with durability in mind, such as the Big John 1-W toilet seat that is rated up to 1200 pounds. Moreover, washlet seats are great options for people who are looking for quicker cleaning up.

Heavy-duty toilet seats are often made from molded wood that contains wood and resin that have been mixed with compressed mold. The recycled wood and resin can be designed into different types of shapes once the mixture has been poured into the compressed mold.

While plastic toilet seats are also available on the market, we recommend that you settle for the stronger wood toilet seat models that can withstand the weight of heavy users with ease. However, both plastic and wood toilet seats are durable enough for everyday use.

Conclusion

On average, a floor-mounted toilet, regardless of the brand, can hold up to 1,000 pounds. Their wall-mounted counterparts, on the other hand, can comfortably hold around 500 pounds of weight. For instance, Kohler toilets are designed to hold up to 1000 lbs and 500 lbs, which meet the ASME standards. Feel free to leave your comments about your experience with the toilet seat weight limits. 

Smith Edwards

Smith Edwards is a licensed plumber and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Along with his wife Julie, they are bathroom experts from home improvement to shaving and everything in between!

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