Top Fixing vs. Bottom Fixing: Which Hinge System Should You Stock for 2026?
If you are a category manager for a DIY store or an online sanitary ware retailer, you know this statistic all too well: Toilet seats have one of the highest return rates in the bathroom category.
Why? It’s rarely about quality. It’s about installation compatibility.
A customer buys a seat, takes it home, and realizes they can’t screw it onto their toilet because they have a modern “skirted” bowl. They return the used open box to you, creating dead stock and lost profit.
As we move into 2026, the design of ceramic toilets is changing. To protect your margins, you need to understand the critical difference between Top Fixing and Bottom Fixing systems.
1. The Traditional Standard: Bottom Fixing
For decades, this was the only option.
How it works: A plastic or metal bolt goes through the hole in the ceramic. The user reaches underneath the toilet bowl and tightens a nut from the bottom.
Best for: Standard, open-back toilets where you can easily see and access the underside of the mounting holes.
The Problem: It is physically impossible to install this on modern “Wall-Hung” or “Fully Skirted” toilets because the sides are sealed (no access to the bottom).
2. The Modern Necessity: Top Fixing (Blind Fixing)
As minimalist bathroom design takes over Europe and North America, “Skirted Toilets” (where the ceramic conceals the trapway) are becoming the norm.
How it works: It functions like a wall anchor (raw plug). You insert a toggle bolt into the hole from the top. As you tighten the screw from above, the mechanism expands inside the ceramic hole, locking it in place.
Best for: “Blind Holes”—toilets where you cannot access the underside.
The Trend: By 2026, it is estimated that over 60% of new toilet sales in the EU will require Top Fixing hinges.
The Retailer’s Dilemma
Here is the challenge for your inventory planning:
If you stock only Bottom Fixing seats, you lose the modern customer (and get returns).
If you stock only Top Fixing seats, customers with older toilets might find them tricky or unfamiliar to install.
Your customer often doesn’t know which type of toilet they have until they are standing in the aisle (or browsing your website).
The 2026 Solution: The “Universal 2-in-1” Kit
At Fujian Chuangshi Sanitary, we believe retailers shouldn’t have to guess.
We have introduced a solution that eliminates installation anxiety: The Universal Mounting Pack.
Instead of forcing you to choose one SKU over another, we include BOTH Top Fixing and Bottom Fixing hardware in the same box.
Why this is a Game-Changer for B2B Buyers:
Reduce SKU Count: You don’t need to stock “Model 801-Top” and “Model 801-Bottom” separately. One box fits 99% of toilets.
Slash Return Rates: Whether the customer has a 20-year-old toilet or a brand-new wall-hung model, your product will fit.
One-Push Quick Release: Our hinges are designed to work seamlessly with our “One-Push” removal system, making cleaning easy regardless of the fixing method used.
Installation Guide: Visualizing the Difference
(Use the images below to educate your staff or customers)
Scenario A: The Open Bowl
Access: You can feel the screw underneath the ceramic.
Hardware: Use the Long Bolt + Plastic Nut (Bottom Fixing).
Scenario B: The Skirted / Wall-Hung Bowl
Access: The sides are smooth ceramic; you can’t touch the screw underneath.
Hardware: Use the Expansion Toggle (Top Fixing).
Conclusion: Future-Proof Your Inventory
In 2026, versatility is key. Don’t let a 50-cent screw cost you a $50 sale.
By partnering with an OEM factory like Chuangshi Sanitary that prioritizes universal compatibility, you ensure your customers get the right fit the first time, every time.
Want to see our 2-in-1 Hinge Kit?
👉 [Request a Free Sample Box]
Test the installation yourself in less than 3 minutes.