Unisex toilet refurbishments

Every organisation has different toilet and washroom needs based upon their staff, customers and students, and decisions around unisex toilets or gender neutral toilets should be made with everyone’s best interests at heart. If you’re considering unisex toilets, we can help you design new washrooms which not only considers for all users and are compliant, but are easy for your team to maintain.

As washroom and toilet refurbishment experts, and with new legislation due later this year on the future of washroom provisions, we’re keeping up to date on what this means for toilet design, particularly unisex and gender neutral washrooms.

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Two public restroom stalls with white walls, skirted sinks labeled with green panels, and wood door frames.

Unisex toilets / Universal toilets

Referred to as universal toilets in government legislation. These are fully self-contained rooms with a toilet, sink and hand drying facilities, like you would get on a plane, or in your own home. Efficient on space whilst being inclusive and helping with traffic flow.

Superloos are a variation of this room and can refer to more stylish or high-end self-contained ‘rooms’ over a cubicle.

Communal unisex toilets

Also referred to as gender neutral toilets and all gender toilets. Usually refers to washrooms which have shared handwashing spaces and cubicles which are full height, privacy toilets and can be used by all genders. Most commonly occur in schools. Sometimes single-sex toilets are converted to gender neutral toilets. These will become uncompliant in all new public buildings with a few exceptions.

Single sex toilets

Are where there are separate toilet provisions for males and females. These remain the most common and will remain compliant in light of new unisex / gender neutral washrooms legislation for public buildings.

FAQs

  • Yes, unisex toilets are legal in UK schools provided they are designed in accordance with the latest government guidelines and building regulations. Current standards, such as Document M and the School Premises Regulations, emphasise that while unisex facilities are permissible, they must offer enhanced privacy and be supplemented by single-sex facilities where required by specific age groups or local authority policies.

  • Privacy is the most critical factor in successful gender-neutral design. We achieve this by installing floor-to-ceiling cubicles, often referred to as "zero-gap" systems. Unlike traditional cubicles, these have no gaps at the top or bottom of the doors or partitions. This creates a fully enclosed and private room for every user, which significantly reduces the risk of anti-social behaviour and improves user confidence.

  • The main difference lies in the configuration of the facilities. Unisex toilets typically refer to a shared washroom area with individual cubicles used by all genders. Universal toilets, often called "Superloos", are entirely self-contained rooms that include a toilet, a washbasin and hand-drying facilities within the single-user space. Universal toilets are now the preferred standard in many UK refurbishments as they provide the highest level of privacy and hygiene.

Planning a washroom refurbishment?

Whether upgrading a single facility or delivering a larger programme across multiple sites, we provide structured planning, dependable delivery and long-term value.

Submit your details today and we’ll get in touch with you to discuss.

Or, call our team on 01707 952 700