Are your toilet doors squeaking or sticking? Want to keep cubicles accessible in case of an emergency?
High-quality toilet cubicle hardware, including toilet cubicle hinges that ensure doors are easy to open and close, and leg supports (or feet) that elevate stalls from the floor, can greatly improve a user’s experience.
Read on as the experts at M&P Fittings answer some of the most commonly asked questions about toilet cubicle door hinges and leg supports.
What are the different types of toilet cubicle door hinges?
There are several types of toilet cubicle door hinges available, including:
· Rise and fall hinges
Rise and fall hinges lift the toilet cubicle door slightly as it opens, clearing the floor beneath.
The great thing about adjustable rise and fall toilet cubicle hinges is that they allow toilet doors to fall open, closed, or somewhere in between.
· Gravity hinges
Gravity hinges, also known as self-closing or self-functioning hinges, are commonly used in high-traffic environments, including commercial washrooms.
These toilet cubicle door hinges can open or close doors using the force of the door’s weight alone.
· Nylon hinges
Nylon hinges are made from high-quality plastic and offer the perfect balance of durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.
As such, nylon door hinges are mostly used for children’s toilet cubicles in schools, public restrooms, and leisure centres.
What about toilet cubicle leg supports?
Cubicle legs (also known as partition support legs or cubicle feet) provide stability and support to the panels, ensuring they remain safe and secure.
They’re typically made from durable materials like stainless steel to withstand the rigours of daily use.
While they come in various finishes and designs, there are two main types of leg supports for toilet cubicles:
- Fixed supports – designed to provide a stable base for cubicles, preventing unwanted movement.
- Adjustable supports – ideal for sloping floors and low ceilings in bathrooms, these allow for a custom clearance range.
How do I choose the right hinge or leg support for my cubicle?
The right choice of hinge for your washroom will depend on:
- Load capacity – heavier doors require more durable toilet cubicle hinges.
- Door material – solid wood or metal toilet cubicle doors often require heavy-duty hinges.
- Aesthetic appeal – hinges can match the finish of your existing door hardware, including the handles, coat hooks, and locks.
When choosing leg supports for your cubicles, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Panel thickness – Are the supporting legs compatible with the dimensions of your panels? This will ensure a proper fit.
- Load-bearing capacity – Can they bear the weight of the partition, accidental bumps and knocks, and users leaning on the partitions?
- Desired height clearance – Are you looking to make cubicle cleaning easier? Keen to discourage anti-social behaviour in the bathroom? Longer leg supports allow you to fit a mop underneath each cubicle while shorter legs and full-height panels are often used in high schools to enhance privacy.
- Material – Does your washroom receive heavy foot traffic? Stainless steel offers excellent durability and corrosion resistance, making it a great choice for wet and humid environments. Satin or polished stainless steel legs are ideal if you’re seeking a more modern aesthetic.
If you’re torn between nylon and rise and fall toilet cubicle door hinges or struggling to decide which leg supports to go for, talk to our friendly team.
Always on hand to help, we’ll happily guide and advise you in making the best choice for your needs and budget.
What maintenance is required to ensure the longevity of these components?
There are several things you should do to ensure your toilet cubicle door hinges and leg supports last as long as possible.
These include:
- Inspections
By inspecting everything from the door hinges to the latches, locks, and cubicle feet for signs of damage or wear and tear, you can replace any damaged parts swiftly.
- Cleaning
Keep your toilet cubicles hygienic and presentable by cleaning the leg supports, hinges, and other hardware with warm soapy water.
- Lubricating the hinges
Applying a lubricant to the toilet cubicle hinges occasionally will help reduce friction and ensure your toilet doors open without sticking or squeaking.
- Tightening the screws
A loose hinge can cause the door to swing incorrectly – but, in most cases, this can easily be resolved by tightening up the screws with a screwdriver. If the screws are worn, replace them with new ones.
Also, allowing the cubicle doors to swing back against the partition as it’s opened can put unnecessary stress on the hinges. However, door stops can protect the finish, reduce the risk of scuffs, and prevent damaged handles.
Are there specific hinges or supports recommended for high-moisture environments?
Stainless steel hinges and supports offer resistance against rust and corrosion, making them perfect for swimming baths, changing rooms, and other wet rooms.
Adjustable and non-adjustable rise and fall toilet cubicle hinges are ideal for high-moisture environments, whereas self-closing hinges are typically better suited for low-traffic areas.
At M&P Fittings, our toilet cubicle hardware is designed for demanding environments, offering exceptional performance and longevity.
To find out more about our toilet cubicle hinges or for help choosing cubicle feet, why not contact our experts?
Can these components be retrofitted into existing cubicle systems?
Yes, toilet cubicle hardware can often be retrofitted, allowing you to repair or refresh the look, feel, and function of your existing cubicles without replacing the entire system.
Retrofitting the toilet cubicle leg supports is a great idea if your current system is structurally sound and the new legs are compatible with the cubicle panel and floor fixings.
Installing nylon, gravity, or rise and fall toilet cubicle hinges is relatively quick and easy. However, it’s essential to choose the right hinges and fixings.
To do so, measure your existing hinges and determine the hole pattern.
The new hinges must be strong enough to support the cubicle door and suitable for the partition material.
What are the signs that a hinge or leg support needs replacing?
Hinges are an integral part of cubicles and see a lot of use daily.
Leg supports hold the panels in place – preventing them from falling or becoming unsafe – meaning they’re equally as important as toilet cubicle hinges and other hardware.
If you’re unsure whether you need replacement hinges or leg supports for your toilet cubicle systems, there are a few signs to look out for, including:
· Rusting
If you spot any signs of rust or corrosion on either the hinges or leg supports (or both), replacing them will reduce the risk of hazards, such as doors or panels falling.
We provide high-quality stainless steel fittings to accompany all our toilet cubicle ranges, including rise and fall toilet cubicle hinges that offer excellent resistance against rust and corrosion.
· Loose or missing fasteners
If your cubicle door is wobbly or sagging, or the panels feel unstable, ensure that the screws holding the hinges and leg supports in place are tight.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, replacement toilet cubicle door hinges and/or leg supports will be necessary.
· Difficulty opening or closing the door
Toilet cubicle doors that are hard to open or close smoothly not only cause users a huge inconvenience but also decrease privacy and lead to further issues (i.e. damage to the door edges).
In most cases, the problem will be caused by rusty, corroded, or damaged hinges – increasing the need for replacements.
Order top-quality toilet cubicle hardware from M&P Fittings
As toilet cubicle specialists, M&P Fittings has been supplying premium toilet cubicles and hardware to clients across the UK for over 35 years – accommodating the needs of schools, gyms, hospitals, offices, caravan parks, and more.
Whether you need to replace a faulty toilet cubicle hinge or leg support to address potential safety hazards or enhance appearances, we can help.
Speak to our experts on 0151 345 0699 or email your queries to sales@mpfittings.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.