What Is A Trough Urinal

A trough urinal is a wide, wall-mounted urinal designed to accommodate multiple users simultaneously. Unlike individual bowl urinals, a trough consists of a single continuous trough that slopes toward a central or end drainage point.

Commonly found in high-traffic environments like stadiums, schools, and pubs, they are the "workhorses" of the commercial washroom world, prioritized for their efficiency and durability and ease of fitting.

Trough vs. Bowl Urinals: Which is Better?

Neither is objectively "better," but they serve different needs. Here is how they compare:

Feature	Trough Urinals	Bowl Urinals
Capacity	Multiple Users	Single User only
Maintenance	Fewer traps and pipes to clean	Individual plumbing per bowl
Installation	Faster, one inlet one outlet	Time consuming with multiple outlets and inlets
Privacy	Lower unless dividers added	Higher if dividers fitted
Durability	High especially stainless steel	Ceramic bowls can be prone to cracking

The Verdict: If you are managing a busy venue where speed of use and ease of cleaning are priorities, a trough urinal is usually the superior choice. For executive offices or low-traffic areas where aesthetics and privacy matter most, bowls are preferred.

Available Materials

At Washware Essentials, we offer trough urinals in two primary materials:

    Stainless Steel: The industry standard. It is vandal-resistant, easy to disinfect, and offers a sleek, industrial look.

    GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic): A lightweight, durable alternative that is often used for specialized installations or where specific color finishes are required.

Sizes and Customization

We provide a wide range of standard lengths to suit any wall space:

    Standard Lengths: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm, 1800mm, 2000mm, and 2400mm.

    Bespoke Options: If you have a unique floor plan, we can often provide custom lengths to ensure a perfect fit.

Fast Delivery for Your Project

We understand that commercial projects often run on tight schedules, so all standard sizes are kept in stock, with UWHC models available with left or right hand outlets, and WPUC models available with a centre outlet. Both models available in all 6 lengths from stock.

Note: If you place your order for a standard stock urinal trough  before 12:00 PM (noon), it is available for next-working-day delivery.

Additional Key Information

    Hygiene: Our urinal troughs are designed with a seamless internal finish to prevent bacteria buildup in corners.

    Flushing: All of our trough urinals are paired with automatic cisterns to maintain hygiene while saving water. Auto cisterns are supplied in white plastic as standard with the option to upgrate to stainless steel.

   

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Posted by Paul Thorn
15th February 2026

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