Monobloc Toilets (DUO) and Toilet Seats: Dimensions and Compatibility
Let’s start by defining what this type of sanitary fixture is. Monobloc toilets are WCs that have an extension at the back of the ceramic body upon which the (also ceramic) cistern, known as a close-coupled cistern (or ‘a zaino’ cistern in Italian), is placed. They are also called DUO toilets because they perform two functions: flushing (the toilet bowl) and refilling (the cistern). The first models appeared in the 1960s and were very popular. Before their introduction, either the older ‘rapid flushes’ or external cisterns (which were already considered unattractive at the time!) were used. Today, they are superseded by other types of sanitaryware, which, thanks also to in-wall cisterns, offer superior aesthetics and performance, such as the fully back-to-wall toilets mentioned in this post. Alternatively, wall-hung toilets, utilizing COMBIFIX structures (which contain the flush cistern), take up much less space than monobloc WCs. If an in-wall cistern is not feasible, various ceramic companies offer distinct, designer ceramic cisterns separate from the toilet bowl, including GEBERIT with its MONOLITH line.
Many monobloc WCs are simply the version with a cistern of a standard toilet bowl, sharing the same design line. However, it sometimes happens that the dimensions differ, meaning the toilet seat (or toilet cover) for one model will not fit the other. Let’s start with the series in the picture in this paragraph: PIEMONTE-PIEMONTESINA Series by Pozzi Ginori: The toilet seat for the standard Piemontesina bowl is only 34 cm wide, while the toilet seat for the Piemontesina monobloc version is a full 37 cm wide and slightly shorter.
EUROPA Series by Pozzi Ginori:
An old and now discontinued series with a classic oval shape. While the bowls share the same formal DNA, their dimensions are very different. The toilet seat for the version with the ceramic cistern (monobloc/DUO) is quite small, measuring between 39 and 40 cm. The seat for the standard WC, however, is a ‘normal’ size, between 44 and 45 cm. This series is also notable for having sold more models in the champagne colour than in white. In the Sintesibagno store you will therefore find the toilet seat cover for the DUO-monobloc version both WHITE and CHAMPAGNE and the same for the standard version of the vase, WHITE and CHAMPAGNE.
FORTY3 Series by Ceramica Globo:
A modern series where the two toilet seats, although identical in shape, are dimensionally very different. The seats for the floor-standing and wall-hung versions measure 44/45 cm, but the seat for the monobloc version (art. FO003BI) is a significant 7 cm shorter, measuring 38.5 cm. All WC seats for these Globo sanitaryware can be found in the Sintesibagno store at the following link [ clik HERE ]
Ceramic Cisterns as a Monobloc Design Feature
NIAGARA Ceramic Monobloc Cistern FLAMINIA.
& Simas (with its UNI Monobloc Cistern CT09)
Have introduced ingenious design ideas where the separate ceramic cistern becomes a stylish, monolithic element. This element can be paired with various toilet series. In these specific cases, the toilet seats are the same as those for the standard WC models, as the toilet bowl itself is the standard version; only the cistern is a design addition.
So here it is concealed by a ceramic parallelepiped that can be combined with all the FLAMINIA company series: TERRA, LINK, SPRINT, IO floor standing…
Now back to SIMAS our CT09 monobloc ceramic cistern and we point out the WCs and their matching toilet seats: LFT SPAZIO, VIGNONI, FLOW round, FLOW squared, BOHEMIEN, E-LINE.
Conclusion on Monobloc Toilet Seats
We have seen what monobloc WCs are and that they often require different toilet seats than those for standard floor-standing or wall-hung bowls. It is easy to know the brand and model, search online, and mistakenly order the wrong size, only realizing the error upon receipt. To avoid this, we offer a recognition service: simply send us an email to info@sintesibagno.it or a WhatsApp message to +39 3341288978 with two images of your sanitary fixture and a few measurements, and we will guide you to the exact toilet seat you need.
