When shopping for a new toilet there are a few things to consider.
One piece vs. Two Piece: Mostly this point is one of aesthetics. Two piece toilets range from traditional to contemporary. You might find that if you’re looking for REALLY contemporary toilets there are very few two piece toilets to choose from, or they all start looking the same. The same goes for one piece traditional toilets, there are limits. Some toilet tanks may give you the option of which side the trip lever is on.
Bowl shape: Round vs. elongated. Elongated toilets are more comfortable, but if you have limited space round bowled toilets should be considered. Kohler makes some of their one piece toilets with a bowl size called, compact elongated which could accommodate both comfort and compact size.
Toilet seat height: A standard toilet seat height (before added comfort seat), is around 15-16 inches. No problem selecting from many choices. A 17-19 inch seat height complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), standard. Kohler refers to these toilets as “Comfort Height”. They are great for most adults, but in a household with children they may be too high.
Flushing system: These days the typical toilet uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Toto and Kohler both have models that use only 1.28 gallons per flush. Generally, flushing systems rely on gravity. Some toilets have wider trapways than others which can allow for more waste. There are even power assist toilets which rely on electricity to assist with flushing. Some brands like Toto and Kohler, make dual flush toilets that use different amounts of water depending on liquid or solid waste. These dual flush toilets can save the average household up to 2000 gallons of water each year.
Most manufacturers try to make selections easier by creating suites that match toilets, lavatories, and sometimes even bath tubs. This may make it easier to get the right look, but you may have to sacrifice one or all of the above points.
If you are remodeling be sure to check what the “rough-in” dimension is. The bolts that hold the toilet to the floor are typically 12″ from the back, but if your have an older home you may have a 14″ rough-in dimension.
It’s really important to do your homework before having to make the big decision.
