There’s more to consider than just appearance when it comes to choosing a toilet.
If you’re looking for a new throne, size, height and flush efficiency are all characteristics to consider before making your purchase.
The right fit
It’s important to know how much space you’re working with. 12 inches is the standard distance from the center of the toilet drain to the wall. However, toilet distance can range from 10 to 14 inches.
More space means more seating style choices. Elongated seats are generally considered more comfortable, but a small bathroom may not allow for a seat of that size. Round bowls are usually less expensive, so they’re a great way to save on cash as well as space.
The right style
The two most common toilet styles are the two-piece and one-piece seats.
- Two-piece toilet: Tank bolts to top of the bowl and is generally less expensive
- One-piece toilet: No seam and easier to clean, but a bit more pricey
A rarer style is the wall-mounted toilet. This toilet is more expensive and requires a thicker wall to mount the toilet on. If the toilet ever needed major maintenance, reopening the wall could be (inconveniently) necessary.
Flushing efficiency
After deciding on the perfect fit, it’s important to make sure the toilet flushes optimally and doesn’t waste water. Toilets made before 1994 use 3.5 gallons of water with each flush, whereas those manufactured after, generally use 1.6 gallons.
For those who want to conserve even more water, a number of toilets offer dual-flush technology. One flush uses the typical 1.6 gallons, whereas as the other option uses less than a gallon.
Noise level
Any flush will make some noise, but if you’re placing a toilet near a large gathering space such as the kitchen or dining area, it could be of interest to explore toilets with a low flush volume.
Extras
And if you really want the “toilet of all toilets”, look into add-ons like a soft-closing lid or seat warmer.
