Can't believe I'm writing a review about a toilet seat... anyway, this was to replace a Kohler plastic toilet seat that developed a crack. I guess that's what happens with frequent posterior contact- crack transfers from one place to another. Back to the review.... The seat seems well made, and the soft close feature is really what sold me. I'm a guy and have been accused of not putting down the seat. This is actually a true observation, but the way I see it, the household is 50% of the XY and 50% XX, so the amount of seat raising and lowering is more or less equally split. I know someone will shoot holes in that theory, based on some sort of complex statistical analysis, but I stand by it.

I digress... in order to ensure lasting peace in the house, I splurged on the seat with the soft close feature, which believe it or not, encourages putting the seat down because I don't have to stoop over before AND after to manipulate said device. Strange, but true phenomenon. Other than that, the seat is solid, seems easy to clean, and was easy to install. I will say that it is slightly more concave than the old seat, and it cradles the rump somewhat more than the normal flat-ish or convex wood seat. Not saying that it's bad...just different. It takes a little getting used to.

Hard to choose seats among all the choices, so the Amazon Reviewers are pretty helpful (thank you, all.) I wanted a seat that was easy to clean, not wood, acrylic but NOT the thin type that pinches you and feels a bit flimsy. This seat is more than the usual three fins but it's well worth it.

At first, I thought the thing was over-designed. Usually, installing a toilet seat is a matter of two screws, two bushings (to fit in the porcelain back) two nuts and maybe a decorative cover to hide the screw attachment. In this case you get a choice of covers (chrome or white, and the option to order brushed nickel online.) There is a post assembly, two nuts, two bushings and a washer set for each. Installation at first seems complex but it actually didn't take any time at all and the instructions were VERY CLEAR and written in English (not just fuzzy drawings to puzzle out.)

The seat is "quick release', meaning it sits on posts you install with the screws and nuts and cover with the decorative cover. A button on the back of the hinge lets you take the entire thing off for thorough cleaning of the throne. You know how dust and grime seems to accumulate near the seat hinge? Take off the seat and you have full access to wipe the back of the rim behind the bowl.

The seat is slow close and seems to work. I keep the seat closed because I don't like my dogs using the commode as a drinking fountain. The seat drops down slowly and noiselessly.

The seat itself is the new style, dished in rather than convex. Sometimes, these can be uncomfortable if you are a larger person (I'm almost six feet tall so I'm not a dainty little thing.) I shopped carefully for the seat because the cheap ones really feel insecure when you sit and they can pinch you in a sensitive area. This seat, though concave, is sturdy enough to hold a heavier person. But if you have super large people at home, you know, Sumo wrestlers, football players, etc, it may still not be what you want. I found it satisfactory.

Hi,

This is Katherine Pittman...I spoke to you, at length on the phone and through email, about our purchase of your toilet seat. My husband had installed it improperly... because he did not read the email instructions. I'm writing back to you... to let you know that he has now installed it properly and that we are super happy with the toilet seat & the installation. It looks perfect...the back of the seat stays up and it sits on the toilet just right! We would absolutely recommend this toilet seat for the aesthetics, the functionality and the affordable price...to anyone! We are incredibly pleased and would be happy to act as a positive feedback customer for you, if needed.

Thank you so much for your personal service. When I called, to ask about the installation, I couldn't believe that a person had really picked up the phone and then spent so much time talking with me. Everything you've done is more than appreciated and we just wanted to formally thank your personal, plus awesome, customer service. If anyone should have a problem with installation, they should understand that the instructions should be read because there's usually a reason for additional instructions. I understand this now but my husband does as well. LOL

Sincerely,

Katherine & Larry Pittman

Love this seat so far. First off, let me tell you I am a large guy (6'2, 375lbs), so I needed a sturdy seat that would take the daily abuse from my large frame sitting on it.

About three months ago I bought Bemis 1500EC146 Molded Wood Elongated Toilet Seat With Easy Clean and Change Hinge Almond to replace an aging solid wood seat my grandparents installed years ago. The Bemis toilet seat looked and felt like great quality, seemed really solid with a great finish. I really should not have ignored the few negative reviews of the product because almost exactly two months after buying, the molded wood seat broke. Upon inspection, it broke close to halfway between the rear hinge and the single contact bumper on the side, where one might expect to find another contact bumper.

Now, on to the Bath Royale toilet seat. The high quality plastic bends ever so slightly as I sit down, but with six total contact points (two in the back at the hinges and two each along the sides of the seat), my weight is evenly distributed around the edge of the bowl. The installation was a little bit more complicated than the Bemis model, but the hinge and attachment mechanism is much more solid, no chance for it to accidentally slip off its moorings (which was another big complaint in the reviews for the Bemis seat). Another great feature this has over other toilet seats is that it is adjustable a few inches, front to back and side to side, in case your toilet bowl is slightly longer/shorter than average. The seat is quite comfortable and worth the extra money.

1. Received the toilet seat and was not in a Marcobelle carton, just a plain carton shipped from Amazon. The seat looked like it wasn't new and had a stainless post stuck in the toilet seat mounting hole. Tried to get the post out and just couldn't without breaking the mounting base. I called Bath Royale and spoke to Mark. I explained the problem with him and also the way it was shipped. He then stated that he would get Amazon to send me another toilet seat and try to get to me within 2 days. The seat did arrive in 2 days and was mounted within the hour. It was a very easy installation and worked flawless. I am very happy with my purchase and will buy another.