What Is an Elongated Toilet Seat?
An elongated toilet seat bears close resemblance to a standard toilet seat, only it is stretched to form a longer, more oval shape than a standard seat. The main purpose of an elongated toilet seat is to offer more space and comfort, especially to larger or taller people who may struggle to use standard size seats. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Elongated toilet seats were first used in corporate restrooms to accommodate the range of people that used them. Some companies also considered them a mark of luxury and affluence due to their bigger size, which offers greater comfort. Residential elongated toilet seats are now also available from home improvement or hardware stores and usually come as part of complete elongated toilet sets.
Features
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Elongated seats are made from a range of materials including wood, enamel and plastics such as polypropylene. Some elongated seats come with specially fitted hinges which keep the seat from slamming after use, thereby avoiding irritation and reducing the risk of accidents. Rubber bumpers are also fitted on many seats to keep the seat from shifting around. Many elongated toilet seats have quick-release mechanisms, allowing them to be swiftly removed from the main toilet unit so they can be cleaned.
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Elderly People
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Elongated toilet seats are often used by elderly people as the increased surface area makes getting on and off of the seat much easier. Elderly people can also opt for a raised toilet, which rests higher from the ground than a standard toilet and can be finished off with an elongated seat.
Cost and Fitting
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Elongated toilet seats typically cost around 10 percent more than standard toilet seats. This is due to the increased surface area, which can comfortably accommodate greater body weights than standard seats. The seats are usually made to a standard size of around 20 inches long by 15 inches wide. It is possible to fit an elongated seat to a standard, non-elongated toilet bowl, but there is a significant risk of the seat cracking due to the unsupported material that will hang over the edges of the bowl.
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