Wooden toilet seats are becoming a preferred replacement to plastic toilet seats. While most residential toilet seats are made from plastic because of their lightweight and clean-up ease toilet seats made of wood are cozy, comfortable, and strong. They make excellent seating for heavier people. In this article, we discuss the many advantages of wood vs plastic seats and the reasons why you should choose to use one instead of the other.
Before we start, we should have a little clarification. There are 2 distinct kinds of toilet seats made of wood made of enameled wood and wooden veneer.
Enameled wood is wood that has been coated with enamel. It appears to appear to be plastic and provides it with an even, smooth surface.
Wood veneer is the thing you may envision as you imagine a wooden seat. They are constructed from thin pieces of wood that are put together around a wooden core, allowing you to view the grain that is natural.
Best Wood Toilet seat
Best Plastic Toilet Seat
Wood Vs. Plastic Toilet Seat
Comfort
If you’ve ever been on the plastic toilet seat in the winter, then you’re aware of how terrifying it is. The plastic toilet seats aren’t able to hold at any temperature and, when temperatures drop, the toilet seat could become extremely cold.
But wood will hold some heat. It will make your bathroom feel significantly warmer than the plastic alternatives.
If you reside in a place that can get quite cold in the winter months, you may think about getting an upholstered seat made of wood for more convenience.
Hygiene
Because wood is a porous substance, it can be difficult to wash. The wood may hold on to parts of things that it comes in contact with, such as urine, and it can also retain the smell when it happens frequently.
Plastic is, however, a smooth surface. This makes it extremely easy to wash and clean.
If you have kids at home, who may struggle to focus on the ceiling, you should think about purchasing an enameled plastic or wood toilet seat.
Style
The major factor to consider between the plastic toilet seat and a wooden toilet seat is your personal style and preferences.
Wooden toilet seats give an inviting and warmer feel. They also go well with rustic style.
Plastic Toilet seats give an elegant, contemporary look.
It’s up to you to decide which one you would prefer.
Durability
Although you may believe that wood toilet seats are stronger than plastic ones, it’s the reverse.
Wood toilet seats are heavier and have greater compressive strength, however, they may warp and crack in extreme heat or humidity. Because of their heavier weight, they are usually fitted with hinges made of metal that have more durability than alternatives.
Plastic isn’t prone to warping or cracking however, the smaller pieces of plastic-like hinges, can be damaged.
If you reside in an area that has an extremely humid climate then you might want to choose a plastic toilet seat to ensure that you change the toilet seats less often.
Versatility
Plastic toilet seats are available with a wider selection of shapes and styles than wooden toilet seats. If you have an odd size or shape of a toilet, or you’re looking to ensure that you easily find a soft-close option, then plastic is the seat you need.
If you’re looking for the toilet seat to be soft-closing (to prevent the loud bang that comes from the toilet seat falling down) Then you’ll need to buy a plastic toilet seat.
Wood seats are heavier than seats made of plastic making it more difficult and more costly to get the soft-close toilet seat option.
Price
When it comes to cost wood toilet seats are typically at the higher end of the range.
The majority of the cost when buying a wooden veneer chair is in the appearance and appearance of the seating.
If you’re looking to remain on the low end when it comes to changing your toilet seat, then plastic is the best option.
Enameled Wood Vs. Plastic Toilet Seat
Enameled wood is a fantastic alternative for toilet seats.
Personally, I have an enameled wooden toilet seat and I am very pleased with it. It has the benefits of a seat made of plastic, however, with a couple of extra features, you could appreciate.
Comfort and Style
In terms of design and comfort wooden toilet seats that are enameled offer the advantages of plastic and wood furniture toilet seats.
Enameled wood toilet seats tend to hold more heat as compared to plastic seats, which makes them feel warmer in colder temperatures.
Furthermore, the enameled wood toilet seats are more luxurious and comfortable, as they’re heavier. The very lightweight plastic toilet seats on the other hand may feel cheap.
Additionally, wooden toilet chairs are usually white therefore they are a great fit with modern-day decor (compared to wood veneer seats).
Weight
Since enameled wood seats are made of an internal wood structure that is made of wood, they are heavy. of weight added. If you’re looking at the toilet seat, it might be the only visible distinction between plastic and enameled wood toilet seats.
The weight of the seat can be beneficial or detrimental. It’s beneficial because it can increase the durability of the seat and makes it appear more high-end. It’s a problem because the seat may slam heavily on the bowl and create quite a racket (or perhaps create damage)
Hygieneg
Because wood coated with enamel has been coated in enamel it has an even, non-porous surface. This makes it as simple to wash as plastic.
If you’ve used an identical seat that has been in use for a while ensure that you examine the seat for wear or cracks on the surface. If the wood’s core is exposed, it may be a breeding ground for germs, and may even begin to rot when the damage isn’t identified and repaired.
The enamel will not be brittle or crack as easily, however, so it’s not something to worry about too much.
Durability
Due to the coating of enamel that enamel toilet seats have, they aren’t as susceptible to cracking, warping, or sustaining scratches as wood veneer.
Additionally, due to its weight, the wood-enamel toilet seats tend to have stronger parts, in comparison to plastic pieces that are found in the plastic seats.
In terms of longevity, you can have the most durable and long-lasting experience with toilet seats made of enameled wood.
Versatility
In terms of its flexibility, wood enamel is as flexible as plastic.
It is available in a broad range of sizes and shapes.
There is also a soft closed toilet seat option that comes that has an enameled wood seat, however, they are slightly more expensive.
Price
Seats made of wood come in a range of costs, some around the same price as plastic seats, while others are more costly.
The cost range is determined by how comfortable the toilet seat is, as well as the comfort you desire from a toilet seat that is close.
However, a soft-close wooden seat is around the same cost as a standard wood veneer seat.
Wood Toilet Seat Pros and Cons
Plastic Toilet Seat Pros and Cons
FAQs
Which is better, wood or plastic toilet seats?
Toilet seats made of wood outdo their wooden counterparts in durability and warmth. They tend to be more robust and heavier, which makes them less likely to last when they are occupied by heavier people. However, toilet seats made of plastic have a lot to offer in terms of cleanliness and scratch and stain resistance.
Do wooden toilet seats smell?
Toilet seats made of wood will only smell if they’re damaged or cracked. If urine and water seep through the wood, an unpleasant smell can be detected. The brand new, properly completed wooden toilet seat does not typically smell.
How long do wood toilet seats last?
On average, a toilet seat lasts for about 7 to 10 years. It is important to consider this when you are planning to sell your house but don’t want your toilet seat to become a source of dispute.
What is the most hygienic toilet seat?
Overall, the Best Hygienic Toilet Seat is the BioBidet Supreme BB-1000. These seats have the advantage of eliminating the requirement to use toilet paper. Instead, they use a nozzle of water to clean your private, hard-to-reach crevices. The bidet seat is elongated and comes with an all-in-one cleaning nozzle that can ensure that you have a clean and tidy butt after every bathroom visit.
Are wooden toilet seats sanitary?
Porous materials tend to absorb more liquid than non-porous materials. This means that a toilet seat made of wood is usually less sanitary than a plastic toilet seat. However, a properly maintained wooden toilet seat could be just as clean as one made of plastic. Be sure to maintain the seat spotless and dry.
Why Did My Plastic Toilet Seat Turn Yellow?
It is an organic product which is why toilet seats made of wood are more prone to cracking. Toilet seats made of wood may break due to improper slamming of the seat.
Wood can be able to expand or contract based on the conditions of the weather. If it’s cold outside wood will shrink. If it’s hot, wood will expand and break.
Toilet seats made of wood can be damaged if exposed to moisture for prolonged durations. For instance, wooden toilet seats placed in the bathroom or staying damp after showers in the morning can be prone to cracks and begin to expand over time.
Why Do Wooden Toilet Seats Crack?
If you own a toilet seat made of white plastic you are likely to get stained in time. Urine stains can easily appear on the white plastic seat and therefore, diligence is essential.
Regular cleaning with an antibacterial product can help maintain the original color of the toilet for a longer period of time. Use a non-abrasive fabric or sponge to clean the seat of the toilet to ensure that you don’t scratch the plastic.
Bottom Line
If you’re in search of toilet seats and have had difficulty making the right choice taking into account the aspects that are listed above could be the best option for you. Certain aspects such as the soft closing feature, the durability, and the absorption of moisture would provide you with a head start. If you’re an attractive person, you should opt for a wooden toilet seat because of its aesthetics and warmth. Additionally, it’s much more comfortable than you would expect.
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