Everything You Need to Know About Porcelain Urinals in Australia

 When it comes to selecting reliable, hygienic, and long-lasting fixtures for commercial or public washrooms, porcelain urinals are a top choice. Whether you’re managing facilities in Australia or elsewhere, understanding what makes a good porcelain urinal, types available, and what to look for can help you choose the right product and ensure long‐term performance.

What are Porcelain Urinals?

Porcelain urinals are sanitary fixtures used for urination, traditionally installed in public or commercial restrooms. Made mainly of ceramic materials, porcelain is glazed to resist staining, odors, and bacterial growth. A porcelain urinal trough is a long, continuous version of the urinal, allowing multiple users along a single trough. These are especially useful in places with high traffic, like stadiums, schools, and transportation hubs.

Why Choose Porcelain Urinals in Australia

Using porcelain urinals (AU) has several advantages:

• Durability: Porcelain is hard, non‐porous, and resists wear, which means less maintenance and replacement cost over time.

• Hygiene: The glazed surface is easy to clean and less likely to hold bacteria or odors.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Porcelain maintains a classic, clean look. When well designed, it can integrate harmoniously with restrooms in corporate, institutional, or heritage settings.

• Regulatory Compliance: Many local building codes and health standards in Australia require materials that meet certain hygiene, water usage, and safety standards. Porcelain typically satisfies these.

Types of Porcelain Urinals / Urinal Troughs

Here are some of the types you’ll see:

Type	Description	Best Use
Wall Hung Individual Urinals	Single porcelain units fixed to the wall	Offices, restaurants, smaller facilities
Stall‐Style (Privacy) Urinals	Individual with privacy partitions	Places where user privacy is required
Trough Style (Continuous)	Long, open channel style, porcelain or / with partitions	High‐volume public restrooms, stadiums, outdoor event venues
Waterless / Low‐Water Variants	Designed to reduce water usage, sometimes using trap or cartridge systems	Areas with water restrictions, sustainability goals

What to Look for When Buying Porcelain Urinals in Australia

When you’re shopping around (for instance, checking sites like The Urinal Shop AU), keep these secondary criteria in mind:

1. Size & Dimensions
   Consider the height, depth, width, especially with troughs, to make sure it fits into the available space and meets accessibility requirements (ADA or local Australian equivalents).

2. Flushing System

   • Manual flush

   • Sensor (automatic) flush

   • Continuous flow / siphonic design

   • Waterless or reduced-water options

3. Water Efficiency
   Water usage is a big concern. Look for urinals with low L per flush ratings. Trough designs, when well engineered, can reduce total flush volumes.

4. Screws, Seals, & Installation Hardware
   The quality of mounting brackets, joints, drainage pipes, and seals is crucial. Poor fittings lead to leaks or stains.

5. Glazing & Finish
   High quality glaze resists staining and scratches. Also, colour variants (though white is most common) and gloss level impact cleaning and looks.

6. Compliance with Australian Standards
   Look for certifications like AS/NZS for plumbing fittings, water efficiency labelling, and local council mandates.

7. Maintenance Considerations
   Ease of cleaning (smooth surfaces, minimal crevices), access to parts, and how often parts will need replacing.

8. Cost / Warranty
   Initial purchase cost, shipping (since porcelain is heavy/bulky), installation, and warranty periods.

How to Install & Maintain Porcelain Urinal Troughs

• Proper drainage slope: Even in troughs, a slight slope helps waste and water flow to drains, reducing splashback and standing water.

• Sealing & Grouting: Ensure joints are well sealed; grouting or caulking should be mould-resistant.

• Cleaning Regimen: Use non-abrasive cleaners. Regular washing and perhaps disinfecting agents as required. Avoid harsh acids that may damage glaze.

• Check Flush Valves and Sensors Regularly to prevent waste of water or leaks.

Why Porcelain Troughs Might Be Right for Your Project

Porcelain troughs are ideal when:

• You have high foot traffic (e.g. stadiums, public transport interchanges, large festivals).

• You need efficient cleaning and maintenance: one continuous surface often means fewer joints and easier upkeep.

• You want to optimize space, as troughs can be placed along a wall with multiple users rather than multiple individual units with spacing.

Top Porcelain Urinal Brands & Suppliers in Australia

While I couldn’t access “The Urinal Shop” product page in full (internal error), suppliers like them generally stock:

• Standard porcelain troughs and bowl urinals

• Different configurations: wall-hung, floor-mount, trough with or without dividers

• Various flush systems (manual, automatic, low-water)

Always verify the product specs (dimensions, water usage, warranty) before purchasing.

Conclusion

If you’re specifying or purchasing urinals for a commercial or public washroom in Australia, going with porcelain urinals (or porcelain urinal troughs) is generally a smart decision thanks to their durability, hygiene, and compliance potential. Balance those primary considerations with good secondary factors—flush type, water efficiency, ease of maintenance—and you’ll end up with fixtures that last, look good, and comply with regulations.