Top Tips for Choosing the Right Urinal for Public Restrooms
09 June, 2025
Introduction
When building or remodeling a public restroom, it’s about more than just pretty design, how usable it is, how durable it is and how hygienic, all affect the user experience and operational costs. Urinals are one of the most critical fixtures in any men’s restroom and choosing the right model for the job is crucial to meeting your facility’s particular needs. Selecting the appropriate urinal can decrease water usage, lessen upkeep, and increase overall restroom cleanliness. Knowing which urinal solution is right for the job can save you time and money and you are sure to find the perfect one, whether you are working in a shopping mall, airport, school, office building, or stadium and no matter how many restrooms you need it to service.
1. Consider the Traffic Volume
To choose the right urinal, you must know how many restroom users there will be daily. Stadiums, transit hubs and major office complexes have high-traffic areas that need to support high-frequency, high-use, vandal-resistant urinals without degradation. Materials such as stainless steel or vitreous china are tough and durable and are precisely the sort of materials suitable for such environments. By contrast, facilities that can absorb moderate traffic, restaurants, small offices, or libraries, can choose more stylish, yet robust designs that integrate beauty and functionality.
Key points to consider:
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High-traffic = need for durable, vandal-resistant materials
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Stainless steel and vitreous china are ideal for heavy use
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Moderate traffic can use more stylish but sturdy designs
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Investing upfront reduces long-term repair costs
2. Choose the Right Type of Urinal
Selecting the appropriate urinal type influences space usage, privacy, and maintenance. Here are popular types to consider:
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Wall-Hung Urinals: Saves on floor space and floor cleaning as well. Applicable to most commercial (and residential) premises.
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Half Stall Urinals: The urinals have partial partitions giving more privacy than an open urinal which makes them a perfect fit for environments where privacy is preferred (schools or office buildings)
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Flat Back Urinals: These urinals are ideal in narrow wall space with limited room for the delivery of trap-sealed pipe work.
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Floor Mounted (Stall) Urinals: Installed in the floor, either enclosed in stalls for maximum privacy, these are very common in parks, educational institutions, where high privacy is required.
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Waterless Urinals: Environmentally friendly waterless urinals use no water at all, meaning lower operating costs while cutting down on water usage and keeping the urinals clean.
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Sensor-Operated Urinals: An automatic flush urinal that only flushes after use, removing manual contact and increasing bathroom hygiene.
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Urinals for Females: While female urinals aren’t as popular, they are growing in popularity in public spaces as a way to speed up waiting times and increase restroom efficiency. They are designed ergonomically to ensure comfort and hygiene.
Types to consider:
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Wall-hung for easy cleaning and space-saving
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Half stall for added privacy without full enclosures
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Flat back for tight or narrow restroom spaces
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Floor-mounted stalls for maximum privacy
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Waterless for eco-friendly water savings
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Sensor-operated for touch-free hygiene
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Female urinals for increased restroom efficiency and reduced queues
3. Prioritize Hygiene and Touch-Free Operation
For public restrooms, especially in the post-pandemic era, one of the top constraints is hygiene. Infrared sensors or foot pedals on the touchless urinals reduce physical contact, which helps slow the spread of germs and bacteria. These characteristics not only contribute to cleaner surroundings but to a better consumer self-confidence as well as coziness. On top of that, touch-free urinals also often have an automatic flush control, keeping them clean without wasting water. Implementing these technologies can raise bathroom sanitation tremendously.
Benefits of touch-free urinals:
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Minimize germ transmission via reduced contact
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Enhance user comfort and confidence
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Automatic flush controls improve cleanliness
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Help facilities meet modern hygiene expectations
4. Evaluate Water Efficiency
Therefore, water conservation is of prime importance not only due to environmental consciousness but also due to cost savings in the case of facilities where there are a large number of urinals. Modern urinals include low-flow flush systems that use very little water each flush, without a loss in cleanliness. Urinals utilizing dual flush can be flushed by the user to the appropriate volume according to the user's needs. Of course, the most efficient are waterless urinals (that eliminate water usage). Installing water-efficient urinals can also save thousands of dollars in annual water costs, as well as help your urinals achieve LEED or EPA WaterSense credentials.
Water-saving features to look for:
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Low-flow flush systems to minimize water use
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Dual-flush options for adjustable water volume
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Waterless technology for zero water consumption
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Certifications like LEED and EPA WaterSense for eco-standards
5. Maintenance and Cleaning Considerations
Ease of maintenance is a major factor when selecting urinals for public restrooms. Urinals with smooth surfaces, anti-stain coatings, and minimal crevices are easier to clean and less likely to harbor bacteria and odors. Wall-mounted urinals typically allow janitorial staff easier access to floors, making cleaning faster and more thorough. Choosing urinals with accessible plumbing also simplifies repairs, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
Facilities should also consider the availability of replacement parts and the manufacturer’s support.
When considering urinals for public restrooms, ease of maintenance is a major factor. Urinals with smooth surfaces, anti-stain coatings, and without lots of crevices are more easily cleaned and less likely to contain bacteria and odors. The janitorial staff also has easier access to the floor when using wall-mounted urinals which makes cleaning faster and more thorough at the same time. Lastly, selecting urinals that include quick plumbing repair minimizes downtime and maintenance costs. The availability, for example, of replacement parts and the manufacturer’s support is also an aspect that facilities should take into consideration.
Maintenance advantages:
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Smooth surfaces and anti-stain coatings reduce cleaning time
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Wall-mounted urinals allow easier floor access
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Accessible plumbing simplifies repairs and lowers downtime
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Availability of parts and support ensures long-term usability
6. Style and Aesthetics Matter Too
Although functionality and hygiene are paramount, the appearance of urinals contributes significantly to the restroom’s ambiance. Sleek, modern urinal designs with clean lines and neutral finishes can complement contemporary restroom interiors, making the space feel more inviting and well-maintained. Color options and shapes also play a role in how well the fixture integrates with walls, flooring, and other bathroom fittings. A well-designed restroom fosters a positive impression of the entire facility, boosting user confidence and comfort.
While functionality and hygiene stand as the top two factors in determining the ambience of the restroom, nobody can deny the stress that the urinals in the washroom put on them. Modern urinal designs with clean lines and neutral finishes may make the sleek, modern urinal designer a great fit for contemporary restroom interiors, because they will make the space appear more inviting and clean. The color options and shapes affect how well the fixture is built in walls, flooring and other bathroom fittings. For the user, there are two benefits: a well designed restroom gives a positive perception of the entire facility and increases user confidence and comfort.
Style considerations:
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Choose sleek, modern designs for a polished look
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Neutral finishes blend well with most restroom interiors
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Coordinate with other fixtures for cohesive aesthetics
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Enhances user perception of cleanliness and quality
7. Accessibility and Compliance
Public restrooms must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. This means incorporating ADA-compliant urinals mounted at lower heights and with adequate clearance for wheelchair users. Compliance with local building codes and plumbing standards is also essential to avoid legal penalties and ensure user safety. Many manufacturers offer specialized urinal models designed specifically for accessibility, ensuring inclusivity without compromising on style or function.
Such public restrooms need to be served for all users without disability. In other words, ADA-compliant urinals with low heights and adequate clearance for wheelchair users need to be incorporated in this. Local building codes and plumbing standards must also be complied with, which will avoid legal penalty and ensure user safety. Specialized urinal models created for access by numerous manufacturers maintain a stylish and functional design without compromising accessible design and are available for many applications.
Accessibility and compliance tips:
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Install ADA-compliant urinals at the correct mounting heights
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Provide sufficient clearance for wheelchair access
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Follow local building and plumbing codes
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Use specialized urinal models designed for accessibility
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Looking for High-Quality Urinals for Public Spaces?
Working with a trusted manufacturer and supplier such as Grepl Group, a leading sanitaryware manufacturer and exporter with a broad range of certified, durable and unique urinal solutions that are created specifically for your facility’s needs. Grepl group products deliver high quality, cost-effectiveness and durable results, whether upgrading an existing restroom or building a new one. Working with a reliable partner like Grepl Group will ensure you choose the right urinal, while saving costs, boosting water efficiency and enhancing overall user satisfaction in your public restrooms.
Conclusion
Selecting the best urinal for the public restroom is an exercise of balancing user needs, a desire for hygiene as well as water-efficient operation, with space and ease of maintenance and design. From traffic volume to urinal type to green features, restrooms can be designed with precision of traffic volume, with urinal type and green features that ensure that you have restrooms that are as welcome as they are sustainable. Touchless operation and wide accessibility are prioritized to improve the user experience and to achieve better compliance, elevating your facility to become a modern model of restroom design.
