Back to Wall vs Wall Hung Toilet | Comparison Guide

Ever been to a bathroom showroom and stood staring at the array of types of toilets? It can get confusing. Specifically the differences between "back to wall" and "wall hung" toilets. They may look pretty much the same from a distance, flushed, cistern hidden, sleek modern lines, but they are worlds apart regarding installation, cost and maintenance requirements. I spent an afternoon chatting to a plumber about the two and wow, the differences are much bigger than I expected. How to choose a toilet really does come down to knowing what you are buying into, so let's break it down.

Title: What is Better: Wall-Mounted Toilet or Floor-Mounted Toilet? Upload Date: Dec 4, 2022 Description: Jim compares the advantages and disadvantages of a wall-mounted toilet. Decide if a wall-mounted toilet is worth it for your home remodel or new build. Or do you stick with a traditional floor-mounted toilet? Video Credit: The Grumpy Plumber

So, what's the actual difference?

As the name suggests, a back to wall toilet rests on the ground just like a normal toilet, but the cistern hides in a void space behind it in the wall or a furniture box or similar. The pan touches the wall, hence, back to wall. A wall hung toilet, on the other hand, sits directly on a steel frame attached to the wall, and the pan sits up off the floor, not touching the ground at all. In a word, the back to wall vs wall hung toilet choice comes down to one issue: floor contact. A back to wall model carries its own weight on the floor. A wall hung model pushes it onto the wall frame and the frame takes the weight, including yours. Everything else flows from that.
When you have a back to wall toilet, you can have a close coupled vs back to wall toilet situation where the main upgrade is hiding the cistern. The plumbing? It works the same as a close coupled. With a wall hung toilet, however, you also need a concealed steel frame that carries the weight of the toilet plus your own weight, and this needs to be rated at 400 kilograms, if not more. The frame also needs to be supported by a reinforced wall to take the weight.

Plumber in work overalls installing a concealed wall-hung toilet frame in a bathroom under construction

The installation situation (it matters more than you think)

A back to wall toilet is much easier to install. Your plumber will need to connect the pan to a floor waste, the concealed cistern is then just set into the wall cavity space and done. If your bathroom has floor waste in a reasonable location, the changeover from an old close coupled toilet is pretty easy. Typically, it takes about half a day to install. A wall hung toilet is a different story. Because you need a concealed in-wall steel frame, you need to install that before your walls are finished. If you are installing a wall hung toilet in an already built bathroom (not in new construction) it means taking the wall apart to add the frame, and then closing the wall back up. This is structural work so, it's a big job.

Modern toilet models displayed in a plumbing department showroom with white ceramic surfaces

Let's talk money

The actual toilets (pan) for the two options, back to wall vs wall hung toilet, come in at around the same price point, from $400 to $1,500, depending on brand and finish. Labour costs for a back to wall toilet typically range from $300 to $600. A wall hung unit can cost between $1,200 and $2,000 when you factor in the $400 to $800 required for the support frame, along with necessary carpentry and plastering work. Purely based on price, the back to wall option takes the lead.

Compact white bathroom with geometric tiles and a wall-hung floating toilet in a modern ensuite design

Which one suits your bathroom?

Wall hung toilets are perfect for small bathrooms. The floating look frees up floor space, and there is no awkward furniture around the base to clean under; mopping the floor is as simple as a wipe with a cloth, as there are no obstacles to manoeuvre around. In a compact ensuite, especially ones less than three square metres in size, this aesthetic lightness is really worth the extra expenditure.
When it comes to a back to wall vs wall hung toilet decision for bigger bathrooms, back to wall is ideal. If you are looking for a back to wall wc that has that sleek, modern appearance but don't have a reinforced wall ready for the installation, then that is what you are after. It is the perfect choice when renovating, as the bathroom is upgraded without disturbing the walls behind it.

Wall-hung toilet with chrome flush plate mounted on the wall above, showing the cistern access point for maintenance

The long game — maintenance and repairs

One thing that is rarely explained to consumers when they are in the showroom is the ease of access to the cistern should a fault arise. Cisterns will eventually need to be serviced. A back to wall cistern is usually behind a removable panel or flush plate; simple. A concealed cistern for a wall hung toilet is set within the wall. Although most have a small access panel behind the flush plate, should the frame or bolts holding the wall hung toilet onto the wall fail then you will likely need to open the wall to fix the problem. One plumbing company I know of charges $200 extra for servicing a wall hung toilet because the difficulty to access the cistern increases with this type of installation.
For those considering a back to wall toilet bowl, the availability of parts is not as important as it is with a concealed toilet. If you decide on an in wall commode, make sure to purchase a brand that has good parts availability in Australia.

FAQs

Can a wall hung toilet actually hold my weight?

The steel frames are capable of supporting at least 400 kilograms and are tested to Australian Standards. Just make sure the installation is carried out by a competent plumber as this job is not suitable for DIY.

Is a back to wall toilet basically a close coupled with a hidden cistern?

Yes. The pan sits on the floor and connects to the waste the same way, the cistern is just hidden from view in either a false wall or a piece of furniture. Think of it as the halfway point between a traditional toilet and fully wall mounted.

How hard is it to switch from a standard toilet to one of these during a renovation?

Back to wall is very easy; your plumber can use your existing waste position. The only drawback to the wall hung toilet is if you have a renovation with walls already built then you will need to open the walls to fit in the frame. This is not only going to be expensive, it is also going to make a mess.