Standard vs. Deluxe Porta Potties: Which Do You Need?

What does a standard unit have?

A standard unit is a single stall with a toilet over a holding tank, a vent, a non-slip floor, a door that locks and shows when it's in use, and a hand sanitizer dispenser. Many also have a urinal. It needs no water, no drain and no power.

It's built to be practical and tough, which is why it's what you see on nearly every job site.

What does a deluxe unit add?

A deluxe unit is about the same size, with a nicer inside. There's no industry standard for what "deluxe" means, but it usually includes some of these:

• ✓A hand sink with fresh water and a foot pump.
• ✓A flushing bowl instead of an open drop into the tank.
• ✓A mirror.
• ✓Better light inside, often from a translucent roof.
• ✓A coat hook or small shelf.

Which one should you choose?

A quick way to decide is to ask who's going to use it:

• ✓Work crews on a job site: standard. Add a handwashing station if they need to wash up.
• ✓Casual gatherings, markets and fun runs: standard is fine, with a handwashing station if there's food.
• ✓Weddings, dressy parties and client visits: deluxe. Guests notice the sink and the mirror.
• ✓Long projects where you want to keep a crew happy: deluxe is sometimes worth it for the site office or supervisors.

What doesn't deluxe change?

Deluxe units still need firm, level ground and a truck that can reach them. The sink runs from a tank inside the unit, so on a busy day it may need refilling. If you're expecting a crowd, say so when you book.

And because "deluxe" varies between models, ask which features the unit you're getting actually has.

Is the upgrade worth the money?

Deluxe units cost more than standard ones, so it's worth being clear about what you're paying for. At a wedding or a party where guests are dressed up and staying for hours, the sink and mirror are usually worth it. Guests use the restroom more comfortably, and nobody has to go looking for somewhere to wash their hands.

On a job site, the upgrade rarely makes sense for the whole crew. A standard unit plus a handwashing station covers the same needs for less. Some contractors put a single deluxe unit near the site office for supervisors and visitors, and standard units everywhere else.

Can you mix unit types at one event?

You don't have to choose one type for everything. Larger events often use a row of standard units for general use and one or two deluxe units near a family area, a VIP tent or the head table. Add an accessible unit to each group of units, and handwashing stations wherever the units don't have sinks.

What about restroom trailers?

A restroom trailer is a different kind of equipment: several stalls, flushing toilets and running sinks inside one trailer. It's closer to an indoor bathroom, but it needs a level spot, room to tow it into place and a power supply. If you're weighing a trailer against deluxe units, check what your venue can handle first, then call us to talk it through.