Would You Have A Urinal in Your Bathroom?

[livius drusus]

I read an interesting article in the NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/garden/25urin.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5087%0A&em&en=d1ead017e6dc3810&ex=1170046800) today. Apparently, fancy urinals are all the rage in high-end home bathrooms these days. The cheap ones cost 800 bucks. The Georgia-O'Keefe-style-flower-sculpture ones cost 10 times that.

The new urinals bear little resemblance to the grungy fixtures you might see littered with cigarette butts and hanging from the wall of a truck-stop men’s room. Consider, for example, Duravit’s McDry, an elegant, teardrop-shaped model that sells for $895 and doesn’t require water to flush (instead it uses a biodegradable blue oil, penetrable by a stream of urine, which acts as a barrier to odors).

[...]

Indeed, there is still a certain amount of squeamishness about home urinals, particularly among women, so marketers are focusing on designer style and claims about cleanliness in an effort to overcome negative associations. Kohler U.S.A., for instance, says that its “human factors group” — a team that studies, among other things, how people urinate — has found the best urinal shape for keeping the bathroom clean. A result is Kohler’s funnel-shaped Steward series, introduced last April.

“When you go at a flat wall there’s lots of splash,” said Shane Judd, product manager of Kohler’s fixtures group, whose job it is to know these kinds of things. “The conical shape eliminates splash.”

The Kohler Steward model (http://www.designerplumbingoutlet.com/k4918.html):

http://www.freethought-forum.com/livius/kohler.gif

The waterless Duravit one:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/25/garden/25urin.3.jpg

One of the O'Keefey ones:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/24/garden/25urin.6.jpg

Would you have one of these in your bathroom if money were no object? I'm still a little dubious on the cleaning aspect, myself. One of the decorators cited in the article insists on never walking barefoot in a man's bathroom so that doesn't exactly assuage my fears, but it's not like regular toilets don't get all gross anyway.

So, whaddayasay?

[viscousmemories]

Provided it was a splashless model, absolutely.

[inland wave]

Splashless model? Do they really make one?

[D. Scarlatti]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/25/garden/25urin.3.jpg

I hope he's not planning on sitting there all evening.

[Ari]

While it might be useful to save water I wouldn't see what is so special about a personal urinal. I always figured they were common because they could be lined up closer to each other to save space.
If she can't walk barefoot into a mans bathroom perhaps a visit to the doctor or eye doctor is in order for the guys in the house.

(They interviewed Ms. Wiener about urinals :giggle: )

[Ensign Steve]

I hope he's not planning on sitting there all evening.

He'll be alright as long as he keeps his mouth closed.

[lisarea]

My only real problem with them is that they seem kind of redundant, but I wouldn't object to one. Except that flower one because it looks really stupid.

[D. Scarlatti]

Alternatively, would you have a heavy bag in your bathroom:

http://www.us.kohler.com/MungoBlobs/bbb12032-lg.jpg

The Kohler Design Center (http://www.us.kohler.com/ideas/showcase/showcase.jsp?section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=1&subsection=1&aid=675) is one of the state's leading tourist attractions.

[Ensign Steve]

Niiice.

I've always wanted one of those walk-thru car wash showers that I saw on Cribs one time. I use one at the gym, but I want one in my home. :wriggle:

[quiet bear]

Heck yea. I wouldn't want one of those fancy ones, though. Just a standard, stadium style would be fine.

As far as cleaning, if I had the money to waste on something like that, I'm certain my bathroom would have an air tight door and a switch that you flip to pressure wash and sterilize the whole room. Like a dishwasher.

[lisarea]

Heck yea. I wouldn't want one of those fancy ones, though. Just a standard, stadium style would be fine.

As far as cleaning, if I had the money to waste on something like that, I'm certain my bathroom would have an air tight door and a switch that you flip to pressure wash and sterilize the whole room. Like a dishwasher.

Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion House.

[ms_ann_thrope]

The Kohler one looks like a lovely wall vase. I could live with that. No room for it in our house, though. Unless we put it in the livingroom or something. :chin:

[livius drusus]

Splashless model? Do they really make one?
That's what the good people at Kohler claim. I wonder if they let people use their pristine model bathrooms for splash testing purposes.

While it might be useful to save water I wouldn't see what is so special about a personal urinal. I always figured they were common because they could be lined up closer to each other to save space.
The waterless models can save 40,000 gallons of water a year, according to the plumbing site I linked to in the OP. A lot of these urinals aren't waterless, though. Don't regular urinals use less water to flush? A quick Google didn't enlighten me, but it seems like they would require less water than a toilet.

My only real problem with them is that they seem kind of redundant, but I wouldn't object to one. Except that flower one because it looks really stupid.
I kind of like the idea of a crapper dedicated to crapping. Now if only there were a urinal for the laydehs. Oh, and yeah, the flower one looks totally stupid, and that was the least stupid one of the bunch.

Alternatively, would you have a heavy bag in your bathroom:

The Kohler Design Center (http://www.us.kohler.com/ideas/showcase/showcase.jsp?section=3&nsection=3&nsubsection=1&subsection=1&aid=675) is one of the state's leading tourist attractions.
Man, I can see why. That is one fabulous can. I like the heavy bag. It looks cool, and you can go so easily from workout to shower.

The Kohler one looks like a lovely wall vase. I could live with that. No room for it in our house, though. Unless we put it in the livingroom or something. :chin:
Classy. :giggle:

[Shelli]

Splashless model? Do they really make one?
That's what the good people at Kohler claim. I wonder if they let people use their pristine model bathrooms for splash testing purposes. :giggle:

The waterless models can save 40,000 gallons of water a year, according to the plumbing site I linked to in the OP. A lot of these urinals aren't waterless, though. Don't regular urinals use less water to flush? A quick Google didn't enlighten me, but it seems like they would require less water than a toilet. They do. I don't have ready references, but I work at a plumbing supply company that is heavy into selling Kohler.

If I had the :dollah: and the space, yes, I'd have one in my house. :yup:

[Shelli]

Now if only there were a urinal for the laydehs.Bidet. :giggles:

[lisarea]

The Kohler one looks like a lovely wall vase. I could live with that. No room for it in our house, though. Unless we put it in the livingroom or something. :chin:

I think cappuccino needs one for his kitchen.

[chick]

If I had the :dollah: and the space, yes, I'd have one in my house.
Same here! If the bathroom was big enough, and I could afford it, I'd have both a urinal and a bidet. I especially like the idea of saving water by having a urinal for the men.

[livius drusus]

Oh, a bidet is a definite must in the ideal urinal bathroom. Come to think of it, a bidet is must any ideal bathroom as far as I'm concerned.

[Ari]

I had assumed high priced things you pee in would go towards the japanese super toilet with heated seat, music, multi-bidet, flashing lights, auto open/close seats etc.

On the other hand, if they really want that football stadium type atmosphere where is the designer trough?

[D. Scarlatti]

I wonder if they let people use their pristine model bathrooms for splash testing purposes.

No, but the Living Waters Spa (http://www.destinationkohler.com/spa/about.html) is right next door, where you can frolic under $10K shower heads.

[livius drusus]

Ooh, cellphones are prohibited! Now that's what I call a quality establishment. You need to book a weekend and check every bathroom for conical urinals.

[Dingfod]

A urinal in the bathroom? Nope. In my shop building, I've already thought of installing one. Until then, I guess I'll keep peeing in the old vine-covered dog pen.

[Ensign Steve]

On the other hand, if they really want that football stadium type atmosphere where is the designer trough?

I agree. That heavy bag bathroom needs the designer trough and the walk-thru gym shower. If you're going to do it, go all the way, damnit!

[JackDog]

I'll keep peeing in the old vine-covered dog pen.

I looooove to take a whiz outdoors! Especially at night after a few beers.

And hell yes, I'd have a urinal in my home! I'm one of those "if it's yellow, let it mellow" kinda people, so the water savings would be the major reason for me...but it'd also be cleaner than a regular toilet.

[biochemgirl]

Wait a minute, there are walk through showers? Apparently I am out of touch!

[godfry n. glad]

Cheeses... All the carping I hear from the distaff side about us dense, uncaring males pissing on the toilet seat, you'd think that they'd be happy to install something that would divert the males in the house from using the throne.

I'd think that a separate urinal would be a distinct benefit in a household which the females are significantly outnumbered by males (i.e., the home in which I grew up, with four males and my poor mother).

A bidet is just a fancy water bubbler for the dog.

[xyza]

Mens toilets always stink :verysick:

[Clutch Munny]

I voted No before I read about the water-saving models. So, Yes.

[xyza]

This is an appropriate clip from Green Wing (C4 uk sitcom), Dr Martin Dear the guy in the clip is my step brother by the way, I love Green Wing.

eaYvf68D2gI

[cappuccino]

The Kohler one looks like a lovely wall vase. I could live with that. No room for it in our house, though. Unless we put it in the livingroom or something. :chin:

I think cappuccino needs one for his kitchen.

No need for bathroom trips while I'm cooking dinners.

[livius drusus]

I voted No before I read about the water-saving models. So, Yes.Why the initial no? Even water flushing models save water over toilets, after all. Is it a redundancy thing like Ari was saying?

This is an appropriate clip from Green Wing (C4 uk sitcom), Dr Martin Dear the guy in the clip is my step brother by the way, I love Green Wing.
Oh man, she yanked him but good. That's awesome. :rofl:

[Johnny Pneumatic]

Nope, I wouldn't. I'd have a composting toilet instead.

[erimir]

While we're on the topic, check out the shower that my mom's grandfather had in his manor. I guess back in the 50s or 60s this was what a top of the line shower looked like? Perhaps? In Sweden anyway.

http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2341&stc=1&d=1170128819

That thing looks kinda scary, actually.

Anyway, I'd consider having a urinal. If I could spend many thousands of dollars on my bathroom, might as well go all the way. And it saves water, which is probably a good idea for me, since I already waste so much water taking long-ass showers, I need something to even it out.

But I wouldn't get a urinal that looks like a flower.

[Ari]

Acid or poison gas should so come out of that shower head. Afterall what else would come out of a shower that looks like a cracked open rib cage?

I agree though, if you are spending a bunch of money on a massive bathroom, might as well put in all the stuff.

[erimir]

Yeah, I know.

It kinda does look like a gas chamber.

But it gives you the whole body experience, as water comes out of little holes all around the "rib cage" as you called it.

But I didn't get to use it :( because the manor is now a country club. Also, there was no shower curtain, so it would've been weird having the other people who were looking around the building watch me shower.

[spamandham]

I voted "no", but not because I'm totally opposed to the idea, rather, it seems sort of pointless, except possibly in a centrally located toilet, and even then, only if you entertain regularly.

The reason public men's rooms have urinals is because otherwise the stand-while-pissing hairless apes will piss all over the seats and make them horribly unsanitary. But when it's your own seat, you tend not to do that so much.

I suppose if I had a high dollar bathroom the size of most living rooms, I might do it just because I could.

[Shake]

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/25/garden/25urin.3.jpg

I hope he's not planning on sitting there all evening.
Maybe he's drunk, in which case, that's a good spot for him.

Anyway, I'd have voted, "hell, yes" had it been an option. Think about it: no more worries about getting yelled at over leaving the seat up. No having to lift the seat up, even. If you only had one bathroom, you could both go at the same time, even.