Urinals

Urinals use less water and floor space than a toilet, which is why they turn up in workshops, home gyms, cottages and commercial washrooms as well as busy family bathrooms. This page brings together urinals from Kohler and American Standard, such as the Decorum Top Spud Urinal with EverClean, the Freshman Siphon-jet half-stall urinal and the Tend Contemporary washout urinal with top spud. Series names you will come across include Maybrook, Greenbrook, Dexter, Steward and Lynbrook.

The first thing to settle is where the water supply enters the fixture. A top spud is fed from above, while a back or rear spud is fed through the wall behind the bowl, so match the urinal to your rough-in before you compare anything else. Terms like washout, siphon jet and blowout describe how the bowl clears after each flush, and a half-stall design extends further down the wall to help contain splash and simplify cleaning. Colour options include White and Biscuit, so you can keep the urinal in step with the rest of the washroom. If you are working with an existing carrier or flush valve, have those details ready before you choose.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm the spud location first. Check whether your supply line comes in above the fixture or through the wall behind it. A top spud and a back or rear spud are not interchangeable without replumbing.
• Plan the flush valve and supply. Urinals are flushed by a separate valve, either manual or sensor operated, that is sized to the fixture. Confirm the valve, supply pressure and spud size with your plumber rather than assuming a fit.
• Check wall backing and the carrier. A urinal hangs on the wall, so you need solid blocking or a carrier inside the wall to take the load. Look at this before drywall goes up if you are renovating.
• Think about height, code and cleaning. Mounting height is set by local plumbing code and by who will use the washroom, including accessibility needs. Consider how easy the shape will be to keep clean in daily use.

Related pages and guides

• Toilets
• American Standard Toilets
• TOTO Toilets
• Dual Flush Buttons Explained: Which to Press and Why
• Best Dual-Flush Toilets in Canada: A Practical Buying Guide
• Caroma Dual-Flush Toilets: A Canadian Buyer's Guide

Frequently asked questions

Can I put a urinal in a home bathroom?

Yes. Homeowners add them to main bathrooms, basements, garages and home gyms. You will need a water supply, a drain and a wall that can carry the fixture, so plan the rough-in with your plumber.

What is the difference between a top spud and a back spud urinal?

The spud is where the flush valve connects to the urinal. A top spud sits on top of the fixture with the valve exposed above it, while a back or rear spud connects through the wall behind the bowl for a cleaner look and concealed piping.

What do washout, siphon jet and blowout mean?

They describe the flushing action. A washout rinses the bowl surface and drains by gravity, a siphon jet uses a jet to start a siphon that pulls waste through the trap, and a blowout pushes waste out with a strong flow of water.