There are many terms associated with bathrooms; some are more familiar than others. Most people are familiar with the words bathrooms, toilets, and even lavatories, but what does WC stand for bathroom?
WC stands for water closet and refers to a small, enclosed room within a bathroom containing a toilet and sink. While the term originated in the 18th century to describe a small closet or room with a chamber pot or toilet, it has since evolved to refer to a toilet room in a larger bathroom.
Water closets still pop up in style guides and bathroom influencers’ posts and to refer to restrooms. However, it is less popular than bathrooms, restrooms, and toilets today.
What Does WC Stand For Bathroom? (Water Closet Origin)
The term “water closet” originated in the 18th century in England. This was when indoor plumbing use was getting more common in wealthy homes, and people began installing flushing toilets. These toilets were often located in a small enclosed room or closet, hence the term “water closet.”
A 1755 English dictionary defined the water closet as “a close stool” or “a privy.” The term became more commonly used throughout the 19th century as indoor plumbing became more widespread and toilets became a standard feature of most homes.
Many countries still use the term “water closet” today to refer to toilets or small enclosed rooms containing a toilet. However, it is less commonly used in places like the United States as terms like “restroom” or “bathroom” are more familiar.
A water closet is mainly used in formal or technical terms today, while a toilet is more informal. However, the two terms are interchangeable and refer to the same thing.
Pros And Cons of Water Closets
Pros
Below are the benefits of a water closet.
a) Privacy
A water closet offers an enclosed space to relieve yourself away from other people using the bathroom. For instance, you can use the toilet while someone else is taking a bath without interrupting them.
b) Promotes hygiene
A water closet helps contain the particulates produced when you flush your toilet, ensuring they do not spread to others areas. This helps prevent germs and bacteria from spreading, thus keeping you safe from diseases.
c) Comfort
Since water closets are made to be easy to use and more comfortable than standard toilets, they are more kind to your body.
Cons
The downside of having a water closet is that it takes up a lot more space than a standard bathroom. Furthermore, a water closet isn’t an excellent choice for people who are claustrophobic since having a toilet enclosed in a tiny room can feel cramped.
Why Have A Water Closet In Your Bathroom?
A water closet can be an excellent addition to your bathroom. Firstly, it provides privacy and separates the toilet area from the rest of the bathroom, making it more hygienic and comfortable.
Privacy and comfort are the primary reasons for installing a water closet, and this explains today’s water closet resurgence in bathroom design. A water closet is an excellent idea if you have sufficient space to install it but not enough to give everyone in your home their own bathroom.
Secondly, since a water closet typically includes a toilet and a sink, it facilitates efficient use of your bathroom space. This is especially beneficial if you have smaller bathrooms with limited space.
Thirdly, a water closet also helps contain unpleasant odors, making your bathroom more pleasant for anyone using the sink or shower at the same time.
Finally, a water closet can also help increase the home or property value which comes in handy if you decide to sell your house.
Difference between water closet and toilet
Although people often use “water closet” and “toilet” interchangeably, they technically refer to slightly different things. Nonetheless, most people would understand what you mean regardless of which term you use.
A toilet refers to the bowl and seat you sit on to urinate or pee and typically includes a tank that holds water for flushing waste down a drain and into the sewage system. A toilet is usually an essential component of a bathroom or WC.
On the other hand, a water closet refers to a small, enclosed room with a toilet and sometimes a sink. In some regions, a water closet explicitly refers to a room that contains only a toilet and no other fixtures.
In contrast, it is used more broadly to refer to any small, enclosed room that contains a toilet in other regions.
Can A WC Have A Shower?
A water closet can have a shower, but this depends on a bathroom’s design and layout. You may be able to put a separate shower area within the same space as the water closet if your bathroom is big enough.
Doing so offers a practical solution for maximizing space in smaller homes or apartments with limited space for separate shower and WC areas. However, having a specific shower area helps to avoid wetting the whole bathroom when taking a shower.
If you are considering adding a shower to your WC, consult with a professional plumber or contractor first. This will help determine whether it is feasible and what the local regulations may be.
Does A WC Have A Toilet?
Since a water closet (WC) refers to a confined room with a toilet and sometimes a sink, a WC has a toilet. The designing of water closet in modern bathrooms isolated it from the shower and bathtub area.
What Is The Difference Between A Water Closet And A Lavatory?
A lavatory is a room with equipment for washing your face and hands and even brush your teeth using a sink or basin. On the other hand, a water closet is an enclosed room that has a toilet and even a sink.
In addition, the waste disposal type and water supply system differentiate water closets from lavatories. On the one hand, water closets dispose of poop, pee, and other excreted waste.
On the other hand, lavatories dispose of wastewater from washing hands and brushing. Also, water flows from the faucet to the bowl in a lavatory and a flush tank in a water closet.
Are Water Closets Popular?
Water closets are trendy and crucial in modern bathrooms, and their popularity will likely continue rising for years. You will commonly see them in homes, hotels, public restrooms, and other places where sanitation and privacy are essential.
Their popularity stems from several factors, including their hygienic design, ability to provide privacy, and efficient use of space. Additionally, many WCs today feature water-saving technologies that help conserve resources and reduce water usage.
Final Remarks On What Does WC Stand For Bathroom?
I believe the term WC in relation to bathrooms is now clear. You can greatly benefit from the privacy, hygiene, and comfort provided by a water closet (WC) if you have room for it in your bathroom.
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