TynanGroup - Tg Blog

Creating More Hotel Bathroom Space Without Adding Square Feet

Posted on August 17, 2009 by srettinger

Wall Hung Toilets May Be a Winning Option

In virtually every hotel and resort property throughout the country, bathroom space is always at a premium. Owners, operators and designers are always trying to get more options and area from the same bathroom footprint. Implementing wall hung toilets can be a winning option for some hotel renovation projects and provide substantial advantages.

According to Brian Nystuen, Senior Vice President of TynanGroup, Inc., “In most cases, major renovations where substantial wall and ceiling work is already being done in bathrooms makes the installation of wall hung toilets most cost-effective. This generally mitigates the extra labor that can be required to cap old waste pipes and install the in-wall carriers and tanks that are required for wall hung toilet fixtures.”

In-Wall View of Wall Hung Toilet

The unit material cost for wall hung carriers and bowls can range between $350 for basic models to more than $900 for high end designer bowl options. The labor cost to install wall hung vs. conventional toilets is similar for new construction applications. However, labor costs to install wall hung toilets in place of conventional models in renovations may be typically higher and are dependent on site specific variables.

When renovation project requirements allow for the economical installation of wall hung toilets, several benefits can be realized. Not the least of which is improved guest perception. Installation of wall hung toilets typically add an additional square foot of floor space – and, just as importantly, create the visual perception of substantially more space in the same bathroom footprint.

Lessons Learned From The Field

Alex Stanford, Director of Renovations, knows first-hand how wall hung toilets can help in the total transformation of bathrooms. “Particularly in tight bathroom layouts, the installation of wall hung toilets can really make a difference. They allow for more design options while also creating the appearance of more useable space for guests. Wall hung toilets played a major role in improving the bathrooms at the Millenium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago. Gibson/Darr Architecture and Consulting did a great job identifying and specing this product on our Knickerbocker renovation project. It was the perfect solution for some very tight configurations.”

Unlike new construction projects that provide flexibility in design planning and contractor installation, hotel renovations can present different challenges for the implementation of wall hung toilets. Design team and contractor coordination is critical to ensure cost-effective and proper wall hung toilet renovations. It is imperative that a thorough inspection of plumbing risers and fixtures is conducted to determine how in-wall carriers and tanks will integrate with existing plumbing systems. This will allow for accurate project drawings and contractor bidding, and determine true installation costs and project scheduling.

Work with manufacturer product reps early to get technical specs and details to architect and project team early
Conduct thorough review of existing plumbing risers to determine the requirements and costs to integrate with in-wall tank/carrier fixtures
Coordinate with architectural and installation teams to ensure proper placement and height of toilet fixtures – once installed, adjusting toilet heights can be costly and time consuming
Carriers require 2″ x 6″ framing for in-wall installations
Installations are most cost-effective for major renovations where extensive wall and ceiling work is being done