How to Choose a Toilet – 5 Tips for Homeowners

It can be very hard to select a new toilet for your bathroom because there are many styles, configurations, and options. You must ensure that you will pick the right toilet that is best for your requirements. This article will tell you how you can choose a toilet.

Before choosing a new bathroom toilet, you must consider your lifestyle, desires, and budget. Your bathroom experience is significantly improved by using the right toilet. Before making your final decision, consider a few important things.

 

Before Buying a New Toilet

It takes time and money to purchase and install a new toilet. Before buying a new one, thoroughly check your old toilet to find whether it can be improved or repaired.

If the toilet is unrepairable and you have repaired it many times and are looking for an improvement, you must select a new toilet.

Don’t look for only water efficiency when selecting a new toilet; buy the one that can remove the waste with one powerful flush. Repeated flushes may waste the savings you expected from a low-flow toilet.

Toilets Buying Guide – Important Factors to Consider

Room Layout

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Planning the bathroom layout is very important because toilets in small bathrooms take a lot of space. Installing a new toilet in place of the old toilet is the simple and most common method.

Because all the drainage lines are in the place where the old toilet was placed, there is a hole in that area, which is ideal for a standard toilet. But, if you are going to install a new bathroom or you are renovating your bathroom, you will find an ideal place for installing the toilet.

Think about your bathroom, shower, washbasin, and bathtub size before installing the toilet. You must pick a place that is not coming your way, accessible, and open so that you feel comfortable using it.

To be comfortable, there should be a distance of 15 inches from the toilet from any other bathroom object.

Size

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The size of the bathroom is also worth considering. Measure the length of the old toilet if you think the length of the existing toilet is good. It is not necessary to choose a toilet of the same length; you must pick a toilet that fits best in that place.

The distance between the wall and the center of the toilet’s bolts at the base should be measured. This is the rough-in size of the toilet. Toilets are delivered in three sizes: 10 inches, 12 inches, or 14 inches.

Remember, when you find the rough-in measurement of the toilet, you must keep the toilet’s tank close to the wall. Many toilet tanks have their cover lip at the back, requiring 1/4 – 1/2 inch space.

In this case, you will not touch the tank completely with the wall because the cover will not close properly. In case the rough-in size is less than 11 inches, you may need to reconstruct the drain pipe, or you may need to shop for a toilet that is made for a smaller rough-in area.

There are different types of toilets like round, elongated, or compact-elongated. Elongated toilets take up large space in the bathroom, while round toilets are made for smaller bathrooms.

The seat height of a standard toilet is 17 inches up the floor surface. A toilet with a chair height has a 19 inches height from the floor. But, it would be best if you chose a comfortable height for children and anyone with mobility issues.

Flush Features

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Toilet companies have manufactured toilets with different flush styles like touchless, dual, or single flush toilets.

Single Flush Toilet

For most homes, single flush toilets are common. In this system, the toilet is flushed only once. So, the entire waste is flushed into the drain of the bowl. Due to their popularity, they come in colored toilets of different shapes and styles.

Dual Flush Toilet

Manufacturers have designed dual flush toilets to help reduce water usage. A button mechanism or two-stage lever is used in this toilet.

You must press one button or lever to remove liquid waste, requiring a light flush. However, a full flush will be required to deal with solid waste.

Touchless Toilet

They come in the group of single flush toilets, but they use a battery-powered electronic sensor. To use this flush, you have to wave your hand in front of the sensor and start it flush without touching its button. They are rarely used in homes and are mostly installed in commercial areas.

Tips for Choosing a Toilet

1. Check the Dimensions

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The design of every bathroom is different, so you must select a proper toilet according to the area of the bathroom.

Measure the Rough-in Size

When your old toilet is in place, measure the rough-in size to get better results.

Choose the Toilet According to the Measurement

To get good results, select the new toilet of the same size as the old one or pick a smaller size. In this way, you will get a simple and smooth installation.

2. Consider Toilets Types

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One-Piece Toilet

The bowl and tank are designed in one seamless unit in these toilets. Normally, their cleaning is easy and provides a smooth look.

Two-Piece Toilet

In two-piece toilets, the tank is bolted to the toilet bowl. Two-piece toilets are more inexpensive than one-piece toilets; however, they are not easy to clean.

Elongated Toilets

These toilets have oval shape longer bowls and provide a comfortable seat. The size of these toilets is two inches longer compared to the standard toilets. So, you must keep an extra space around your toilet for installing an elongated toilet.

Round Toilets

Round toilets have circular bowls and are normally used for smaller bathrooms. Depending on the model you choose, they provide a modern or traditional look.

Wall Hung Toilets

These are the best toilets if you are looking for a modern and smooth toilet. Like a standard toilet, these are not installed on the floor. They are fixed to the wall, and the area under the toilet is empty.

It’s a good solution for smaller bathrooms, and the bathroom floor is easy to clean. You can easily mop or sweep it. The plumbing systems of these toilets are different; due to this feature, they can be used in the space’s initial building or throughout the renovation.

Bidet Toilets and Seats

Bidet toilets are smooth, comfortable, and easier to clean. This toilet provides a fresh feeling after every flush. You can add bidet attachments to your toilet like warm air dry, cleansing spray, etc.

3. Check Out Toilet Features

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It does not matter which type of toilet you select; you can add additional features to your toilet.

Toilet Bowl Height

Most toilets’ ideal height is 14 – 15 inches above the floor surface. You can get a toilet of 17 – 19 inches if you need increased height. Toilet with longer height is normally used in the bathroom of a guest room or a master bathroom.

WaterSense Certifications

WaterSense-certified toilets need 1.6 gallons of water for every flush. It is awarded for water efficiency by the department of energy. So, WaterSense-certified toilets help reduce water consumption in a household and lower the water bill.

Soft-Close Seats

If you buy a soft-close seat toilet for your bathroom, you will never hear the annoying sound of the lid closing on the commode. It will also protect your fingers from coming between the bowl and the seat.

Antimicrobial Coatings

In the bathroom, surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria. You can eliminate this problem by selecting an antimicrobial-coated toilet seat. It delivers a smoother appearance, and you can avoid scrubbing your bathroom.

Heated Seats

Install toilets with heated seats to bring a cozy touch to your bathroom. Warmers with low voltage keep your seats warm according to the weather outside.

4. Consider Different Flush Systems

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Pressure-Assist Toilet

Pressure assist toilets are well-known in industrial bathrooms. It creates a powerful flush and avoids clogging the bowl of the toilet. It also keeps the bowl clean with forceful flushing.

Dual-Flush Toilets

This flush provides water according to the requirement. There are two buttons on its water tank.

If you press one button, it will provide a large amount of water while the other will provide less water. These toilets are costly but will save 67% of your water annually.

Gravity Flush System

Most of the toilets have a gravity flush system. In these toilets, the weight of the water force the flush to generate. They are inexpensive and require fewer charges for repair.

Low-Flow Toilets

Low-Flow toilets use less water to lower your water bill and the environmental effect. These toilets provide water for flushing as low as possible. This amount can be 0.8 gallons per flush. These toilets are helpful if there are many people in one house.

Siphon Jet Toilets

The flush of Siphon Jet Toilets provides an additional water jet for pushing water in the trap way and is pulled out to the bowl by water pressure.

5. Gather the Tools For Proper Installation

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Once you choose your new toilet, you will remove the old one and install the latest model of toilet. Installing a new toilet is easy if you have all the necessary tools. Many materials come with the product kit, so always check your product before buying new equipment.

You must have the following items:

• Flanges
• Seal
• Wax ring

Cost of Installing a New Toilet

Because of the wide selection of toilet features, types, and sizes, a new toilet can be $100 for a single flush, two-piece, standard, and round toilet.

And the price of some toilets is $5000, including heated seats, smart settings, bidets, and television screens, which can be enjoyed while sitting on the toilet. The large price range is good because everyone can find their favorite toilet according to their budget.

Remember, if you have no experience, knowledge, or skill in installing a new toilet, you must hire a professional. The installation cost is between $45 – $200 per hour.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

How to Choose a Toilet to Buy?

Measure the rough-in size of the old toilet and buy the new toilet according to this size. If you are renovating your bathroom, select a new toilet according to the size of the bathroom.

If your family has kids and anyone with mobility issues, pick toilets with a comfortable height.

Which Type of Toilet Size Do You Need?

Toilets are available in 12 inches, 10 inches, and 14 inches rough-in measurements. Measure your toilet’s rough-in size and select your new toilet accordingly.

Which Features Must Be Present in a Toilet?

There are many features that you must consider before buying a new toilet. Such as flushing technology, color, style, height, shape, and bowl. Most toilets are divided into two groups; pressure-assisted and gravity-feed.

What Should You Know Before the Installation of the Toilet?

When installing a new toilet, consider:

• Rough-in Measurements
• Performance
• You must have proper tools and materials like flanges, seals, and wax rings.
• Other expenses

In One or Two-Piece Toilets, Which One is Better?

One-piece toilets are easy to clean, are heavier, and bacteria didn’t find space to grow. Two-piece toilets have a separate tank; they come in more heights and styles. You can select according to your requirement.

Final Thoughts

This article has explained different types of toilets, flushing technology, and the cost of toilets to understand how to choose a toilet. All types of toilets have unique designs and styles. If your bathroom is smaller, select a small round toilet.

You can select from various toilets according to your budget to get comfort and style. If you don’t have enough skill and knowledge to install the toilet, you must hire an expert.