Why are toilets made of porcelain
For centuries, we’ve been using the same type of crapper. Although the plumbing is more concealed and the seats can now be made from a variety of materials (including plush vinyl with cats embossed), the toilets themselves, hundreds of years later, are still largely porcelain.
But why? Why isn’t there a better material? It’s not! According to Brian Hedlund (Kohler’s senior product manager for toilets), a toilet must do three things well. It must have a flushing engine. He says that it must be waterproof, clean, and sanitary. Kohler’s king-of-thrones says, “It needs to be strong.” Because people will sit on it. Some of these people may be very heavy. Porcelain is able to meet all three requirements.
The most important thing for the user is that the toilet works effectively to remove waste. What appears to be water flowing down a hole to where-knows-where to most people is actually a complex machine. Hedlund says that the tank, bowl and jetway are all very detailed. There is a lot of intricate engineering.” Vitreous china toilets, also known as porcelain, are made of clay and water. The manufacturing process is simple and inexpensive.
Plastic is formed by extrusion and injection molding. Plastic manufacturing can be prohibitively expensive for a complex structure like the toilet. Plastic’s place on the throne is usually limited to the seat. It’s too costly to play a leading role.
Durability is another factor. We’ve all been there. Vitreous china has a super strong, rigid structure. However, plastic has some flexibility. Although it won’t likely buckle under the pressure of a hard landing it might feel that way. This is what matters to the users. Okay, maybe plastic isn’t practical. But what about stainless steel? It is strong and simple to make. They even have steel toilets in prison! It seems that the problem is user experience. Stainless steel is extremely strong, but it can also be very sensitive to temperature changes. It will also freeze your ass. It doesn’t look right to top it with a wood or plastic seat. Prison chic is not a good idea for most homes.
Porcelain can also be used to withstand water. Although it may seem simple, porous materials can allow liquids and bacteria to enter, making it impervious to these substances is crucial in structures that have to manage waste. The glaze of porcelain is the key to keeping water out. The glaze is applied to the toilet and it’s then fired in a furnace. The glaze prevents bacteria from growing on the toilet’s surface, unlike grout in a shower. It makes cleaning the toilet easier by not allowing all the grime to remain. Imagine if cleaning the toilet was more unpleasant. Every year, new aggressive cleaning products are released that claim to be better at cleaning the toilet bowl. Kohler puts their toilets through 20 years of usage, or 80,000 scrubs, to make sure they can withstand chemicals and abrasion. Hedlund said that the testing confirms that toilet upgrades are more common for style or water conservation reasons than for actual use.
It is amazing that porcelain has been our number one product for so many years, especially when you consider, Hedlund, “no one uses a toilet the same way.” Although I don’t know what Hedlund is talking about, it seems reasonable for the man who created the magic to have high standards. It’s actually very comforting, a defective toilet is an awful, terrible thing.
What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain toilets?
Did you ever wonder what the toilet is made from when you looked at it? Did you ever wonder why toilets are all made of porcelain or ceramic? It’s very rare to find a “throne,” made of another material. Even better, when was it that you last saw a toilet made of another material? Let’s dive in: Why Ceramic or Porcelain? Toilets are used daily, often multiple times per day, by many people. These essential features need to be clean and safe, regardless of whether the “throne”, or “throne”, is in your home, at work, or in public places. Additional Benefits – A plastic toilet has a higher chance of breaking under pressure. Since ceramic and porcelain are much sturdier, there’s less of a chance of them cracking and having a shorter than average lifespan. Additionally, unlike certain types of plastic, toilets are completely waterproof when they’re made from ceramic and porcelain — which is an excellent characteristic for a toilet to have if you think about it. Do you need to replace your toilet? Remember this: Plumbing & A/C Medic, Inc. can help you if you need assistance with plumbing.
