There’s no single answer to what type of material is used to make toilet seats. As a matter of fact, toilet seats can be constructed using a variety of materials and methods. Although solid wood was used often used in the past to make toilet seats, most modern seats are made of wood veneer, molded wood such as Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or injected molded plastic or resin.
Continue below to see a more detailed explanation of each type of material used to make toilet seats.
Different Materials Used in Making Toilet Seats
That said, these days, you really have numerous options when it comes to toilet seats. These are the following.
Molded Wood Seats
This type of toilet seat uses wood flour that has thermosetting resin mixed with it, seats made with this material are compression-molded using a mold for the particular size and shape. This makes it possible to contour with each surface. The seat is then usually painted.
What makes this a great choice of material is the fact that it has an impressive weight, and if you’re lucky enough to get a well-crafted seat, it can last up years in your home. Another positive benefit to wood toilet seats is that they feel warmer compared to other materials like plastic.
Bamboo Toilet Seats
Today, one can find molded bamboo powder seats, usually crafted the same way as molded wood seats but with powder sourced from machining scrap that’s generated during the making of bamboo floors.
What makes this material great is the fact that it’s considered eco-friendly since bamboo is fast-growing grass, not a tree. We’ve included a few bamboo options in our list of best wooden toilet seats here.
MDF Toilet Seats
Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a type of molded wood that’s made by slicing, and then machining flat boards so these become toilet seat profiles. Each surface will then be contoured to assure seating comfort. Afterward, every part goes through sanding, painting, and assembly.
It’s a material that has all the benefits of molded wood. Unfortunately, it can only be used in limited designs.
ABS Toilet Seats
ABS is usually associated with surface beauty, and for good reason.
Toilet seats made using Plastic Injection Molding do not have the best chemical resistance- in some cases, it can cause the toilet seat color to fade quite quickly. Look for newer “stain and chemically resistant ABS plastic” that can stand up to some of the harsh chemicals uses in bathrooms.
PP Toilet Seats (Plastic Injection Molding)
Numerous thermoplastic seats are fashioned from this material. It is known for its decent gloss and its high chemical resistance–two factors that make it decent for use in commercial areas. To create a seat with this material, the plastic must first be melted and then injected to mold so shape it accordingly. The hinges may be set up at a factory or by a user depending on how the seat is designed.
As the material is more efficient when it comes to heat transfer, the resulting seat feels cooler compared to MDF or even molded wood seats.
One thing to watch out for when it comes to seats made of this material, however, is scratches. They scratch easily, and surface aesthetics can degrade fast.
Dura Plast Toilet Seats
Duraplast is the popular name of this durable foam board material.
The material is UF resin that has pigment and fillers that are finely ground. Since this resin is more complex compared to UF resins that are being utilized in molded wood, often, no formaldehyde residue is produced.
The great thing about this material is its high resistance to scratching. Another great thing about this material is its decent chemical resistance. It is, however, notably brittle, and has lesser flexibility when compared to molded wood or maybe even PP.
As this particular material is brittle, added packaging is needed to ensure the part arrives in one piece.
Veneer Toilet Seats
These were developed over 15 years as a cost-effective, eco-friendly solid wood alternative. It’s primarily made from wood waste, which is molded so it takes on the intended shape. A thin wood veneer is also molded to the resulting product’s surface so as to take the place of solid wood. This means not a lot of trees are cut in order to create veneer seats unlike in the case of solid wood seats. Once the molding is done, the part will then be sanded, stained, then varnished prior to assembly.
One drawback of this particular material is the limits on the design of the final product.
Solid Wood
This is the material originally used to create toilet seats. To create a solid wood seat, lumber needs to be cut to slats. These are then glued together to create a board. This board then is machined to become the ring and cover. Then they are stained, then varnished. Assembly is done immediately afterward.
The natural look of the material is what’s behind its appeal. Unfortunately, the material is prone to scratching.
How to Choose the Right Toilet Seat for You
So many materials can be used to construct toilet seats, and as such, it’s safe to say that based on all the info above, you have so many options. But how do you choose the toilet seat that’s best for you? Here are the things you need to think about before making a decision.
Soft-Closing Seats
With a soft-closing seat, you completely eliminate the chances of disturbing anyone or startling yourself with that loud slam.
Quick-Removing Seats
Some seats can be removed quickly because of quick-removal hinges. This allows for thorough cleaning.
Deodorizing Seats
If you often have to deal with bad toilet odor, you may want to get a seat with a deodorizing capability.
Lighted Seats
If you’re looking to make navigating the bathroom easier for you, go for a lighted toilet seat.
Do you know of other materials that are used in toilet seat making? What type of toilet seat do you have at home? Share your thoughts and comments below!
Pin for later
