Wall hung toilets and concealed cisterns: what is involved

The frame does the work

The toilet pan does not hang from the wall itself. It is bolted to a steel frame that is fixed to the floor and the wall and carries the weight. The cistern sits inside that frame. The frame has to be set at the right height and perfectly level, because everything that follows is fixed to it.

Boxing in and tiling

Once the frame and pipework are in place, it is boxed in with board and then tiled. The boxing often becomes a useful shelf across the width of the room, or it can be built to the ceiling as a full false wall. The tiling layout is planned around the flush plate so it sits neatly within the pattern rather than at a random cut.

• Half height boxing gives a shelf above the cistern
• Full height boxing creates a clean false wall
• The flush plate position is planned into the tile layout
• A recessed niche can be built into the boxing

Access for maintenance

A hidden cistern still needs occasional attention. Good frames are designed so the working parts can be reached through the flush plate opening without removing tiles. We make sure that access is kept clear and explain it at handover, so nobody has to break into the wall later.

Does it suit your room?

The frame needs depth, so the boxing brings the wall forward. In a very tight room that space has to be considered carefully. The waste also needs a suitable route, which is checked at survey. In most bathrooms it works well, and the clear floor under the pan makes cleaning noticeably easier.

In small bathrooms the visual gain can be significant, which is why it features in our small bathroom ideas guide.

Timing within a renovation

Because the frame is built in during first fix, the decision needs to be made early. Changing from a standard close coupled toilet to a wall hung one after tiling has started means undoing work. We confirm products before the room is opened up.

Choosing the pan and flush plate

The frame and the pan are separate purchases, and they need to be compatible. Flush plates come in a wide range of finishes, from white to brushed metal to matt black to match brassware elsewhere in the room. Because the plate is the only visible part of the system, it is worth choosing it alongside your taps and shower controls so the finishes agree.

Pan height is set when the frame is installed rather than fixed by the product, which is one small advantage over a floor standing toilet. If anyone in the household would benefit from a slightly higher or lower seat, mention it before first fix so it can be built in from the start.