Is A Vault Toilet Right For Your Home?

Toilets come in various shapes, sizes, and designs. For example, some are specifically designed to fit inside your home, whereas others, such as a portaloo, or portable toilet, are made strictly for outdoor use. If you've ever been in the wild outdoors for an extended period of time, you've likely come across a vault toilet. Perhaps you have even used one before. This is another type of toilet design that is limited strictly to outdoor use and is often accessible to several people at any given time. 

If you have a large enough outdoor space where you live, you may even consider whether a vault toilet would make sense for your home and needs. Naturally, there's a lot to consider, with many factors coming into play, including size, smell, and maintenance. So, let's take a look at the downsides and benefits to determine whether a vault toilet is right for your home.

Most vault toilets are designed for public and outdoor spaces. Of course, this may make it a suitable option if you live on a considerably large plot of land where accessing a toilet may be challenging, for example, if you reside on a large farm — such as King Charles III's Llwynywermodor vacation property, one of the king's many U.K. homes — or run a business from a home that spans a large area of land.

A vault toilet may also be worth considering if you're running large events regularly with a lot of attendees, as plenty of individuals would use it regularly, making it worth the investment long term. However, if you invest in one, remember to clean your toilets often or consider a composting toilet.

While vault toilets are a good fit for large outdoor areas, there are some downsides if considering one for a purely residential property.

When it comes to vault toilets and residential properties, there are a lot of downsides. One factor you may find off-putting is the smell, as most of the waste from a vault toilet is stored in a "chamber" underneath the toilet. Despite this, the toilet is still safe to use, explains William Schaffner, M.D., to Well & Good. "If an uncovered public toilet seat were a real hazard, we would all know about it and there would be public health messaging about it all the time," he said. However, a vault toilet still requires maintenance to keep it in good condition. Not only is this costly, but it's also a hassle if you don't use it regularly. The same goes for installation.  

Likewise — let's face it — it's unlikely you're going to want a large, smelly outdoor toilet near your home, especially if you live on a smaller property. For example, if you live in the suburbs, a vault toilet is likely not an appealing option. A vault toilet simply is probably not a good choice for most residential homes. We recommend assessing your lifestyle and outdoor space before making a decision.