While they may not get as much focus during a typical bathroom renovation, there is no denying the importance of your toilets. After all, they are called “the throne” for a reason! As a place where you will be sitting and “conducting your business” on a daily basis, this is certainly one part of the bathroom that cannot be overlooked.
Believe it or not, not all toilets are created equal. There are several different designs and features that can make a difference for your bathroom space. The right toilet can make each trip that much more enjoyable. Here are some factors to consider that will help you make the right pick for your bathroom.
Toilet Shape
Let’s start with the basics: your toilet’s shape and the general “theme” or style that it offers. Most toilets are available in either an elongated (oval) or round shape. However, some contemporary designs also use a square shape, such as the Swiss Madison SM-1T106MB Concorde One-Piece Square Toilet with Dual Flush in Matte Black, 0.8/1.28 GPF. Keep in mind, though, that it might be hard to find a replacement toilet seat if you buy a square toilet! Still, there is something to be said about the stylish, contemporary statement such a design could make.
The shape and style of your toilet is generally a matter of personal preference more than anything else. That being said, round toilets are generally considered the best option for more compact bathrooms, as they fit well in small spaces. Round toilets tend to use a more traditional design, while elongated and square toilets are more likely to feature a contemporary look.
Overall, many people find elongated toilets more comfortable and easier to clean. These toilets also tend to have a more forceful flush than round toilets. As such, the vast majority of toilets produced today feature an elongated bowl.
Toilet Type and Mount
It used to be that you only had one option for the type of toilet you bought: a two-piece design that was mounted to the floor. Now, however, advances in bathroom design have also resulted in new options being introduced for those interested in a modern, contemporary look.
Two-piece toilets feature a separate tank that is mounted onto the body of the toilet. Having two separate parts can make it somewhat easier to install the toilet in your bathroom by reducing the overall weight you have to carry. This will also make it easier should you ever need to move the toilet for repairs in the future.
However, a one-piece design offers a sleek, distinctive look that bolsters the contemporary feel of your bathroom. Toilets like the Toto MS604114CEFG#01 Ultramax II One Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet with Double Cyclone Flush System and SanaGloss – SoftClose Seat Included, Cotton, Polished Chrome are a great example of this. With a one-piece toilet, you also don’t have to worry about the tank screws coming loose over time.
In addition, there are also bowl-only toilet designs. Rather than using a tank, these toilets typically use a flush valve, such as in the American Standard 3351.101.020 Afwall Millenium 1.1- 1.6 GPF FloWise White Elongated Flushometer Toilet with Everclean. Though most typically associated with high-use commercial restrooms, bowl-only designs are becoming more common with sleek, contemporary wall-mounted toilets.
Examples of this wall-mounted bathroom option include the Swiss Madison SM-WT449 Sublime One Piece 0.8/1.28 GPF Dual-Flush Elongated Wall-Hung Toilet in White, which features a concealed carrier tank that makes it easy to connect the toilet to your home’s plumbing system while still maintaining a clean, modern look.
Flush Placement and Type
Few parts of a toilet are more important than the flush lever (and the flushing mechanism itself)! As with other toilet components, there is no real “right” or “wrong” answer for the type of flush you should get. It mostly comes down to personal preference.
Traditionally, most toilets featured a flush lever on either the left or right side of the tank (though most often on the left). This allowed for easy access to the flush lever on whichever side of the bathroom had a wider opening.
More recently, however, top-mounted levers have become increasingly common — especially for toilets which include a dual-flush feature. Rather than a standard lever, toilets like the Toto CST446CEMG#01 Aquia IV Two-Piece Elongated 1.28/0.8 Dual Flush Skirted Toilet with CeFiONtect, Cotton White use a button push. The push button system actually utilizes two buttons, which allows users to select how much water to flush. For liquid waste, you can select the flush that uses less water.
Toilet manufacturers are also going the extra mile to make each flush more efficient and forceful than in the past. For example, many Toto products use the company’s “Dynamax Tornado Flush” system, which projects water from the entire rim to provide a 360-degree clean. American Standard toilets feature a similar system called PowerWash.
While the flush lever placement is more a matter of personal preference, these dynamic flushing systems will ensure that all waste is efficiently removed, and can even reduce your cleaning burden. Not having to scrub the toilet as frequently is nothing to complain about!
Water Usage
The amount of water that goes down the drain with each flush has become increasingly important to homeowners and business owners alike in recent years. After all, reducing how much water you use doesn’t just help lower your utility bill. It also lessens your impact on the environment.
As previously noted, many toilets have implemented dual-flush systems to better accommodate this preference. When less force is needed to expel waste from the toilet bowl, you can use less water for a more eco-friendly approach.
Toilet manufacturers make it easy to find how eco-friendly their toilets are by listing the number of gallons used per flush. While older toilets would sometimes use as many as 5 gallons of water per flush, newer toilets have drastically reduced that number.
At Kitchen & Bath Authority, we carry a wide selection of WaterSense Certified toilets, many of which feature a dual-flush option of 0.8/1.28 gallons per flush. Sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, toilets that are WaterSense certified meet the government’s efficiency criteria, meaning they use at least 20 percent less water than standard toilets.
The amount of water that is flushed when you use your toilet may seem trivial, but it can quickly add up over the course of the day. The average person flushes the toilet several times a day, and if you have a large family, that results in a lot of water going down the drains. Upgrading from an old toilet to a more water-efficient model will have a bigger impact than you might expect.
Specifications
Now it’s time to get into some of the details that are less immediately apparent, but are still important when it comes to your toilet selection.
The specifications, or measurements of height, depth, and width should be double checked before you order a new toilet for your bathroom. For starters, it’s a good idea to compare these measurements with the size of the space you currently have. If you are simply replacing an old toilet rather than investing in a full-scale bathroom remodel, you’ll want to make sure the new toilet is roughly the same size. That new toilet won’t do you much good if it is too big to fit your space!
If you are planning to age in place inside your home, these measurements become even more important. As mobility declines, the bathroom becomes an increasingly hazardous place. While many slip and fall accidents are associated with showers and bathtubs, toilets can also be made more safe with ADA compliant specifications.
Sometimes referred to as “comfort height” toilets, these toilets are compliant with guidelines from the Americans with Disabilities Act. These toilets typically have a bowl height of 17 to 18 inches, which is taller than normal toilets. A raised toilet seat is also used to make it easier for users to sit and stand.
In addition to the toilet itself, bathroom renovations in homes where mobility may become an issue should also install grab bars near the toilet for ease in standing and sitting. Such adjustments will dramatically improve the bathroom’s safety and usability.
Rough-In
Another not so glamorous, but important, element of a new toilet installation is the rough-in measurement. The rough-in measures the space between the wall behind the toilet and the bolts that hold the toilet into the floor. This measurement can take place before you even remove your old toilet, and should be a key consideration when narrowing down your options.
The standard toilet rough-in measurement is 12 inches. However, some homes will have toilets with different rough-in measurements, with 10 and 14 inches being relatively common alternatives.
Double check your current measurements and the rough-in measurement of the toilet you are interested in buying. Though some toilets actually come with an adjustable rough-in, purchasing a model with the wrong measurements might just leave you with a fancy new toilet that doesn’t fit in your space.
Additional Features
A toilet is a toilet, right? Though toilets have never seemed like a particularly “advanced” or tech-centric item, innovative brands are continuing to implement new features that make your bathroom trips better than ever before.
Without a doubt, one of the biggest trends in bathroom toilets has been the increased integration of bidets. Products like the TOTO MS920CEMFG#01 Washlet with Integrated Toilet G400 – 1.28 GPF and 0.9 GPF, Cotton integrate a bidet seat directly into the toilet design. Front and rear warm water wash sprays are available, with the option for users to adjust the water temperature and pressure according to their preferences. An air deodorizer and dryer function further streamline your bathroom routine.
This is far from the only fancy feature this top-of-the-line toilet has to offer. Toto Washlets also include features like auto flush, an auto open/close lid. It even pre-mists the bowl before use. The entire unit (including the heated seat) can be operated by a remote control.
The Toto Washlet also uses a specialty glaze that keeps waste from sticking to the toilet’s ceramic surface. This keeps your toilet cleaner longer, meaning you won’t have to clean as often or spend as much money on cleaning supplies.
Of course, you don’t have to invest in a brand new washlet to enjoy some of these exciting features. The brand also offers bidet seats like the Toto SW2033R#01 Washlet C100 Electronic Bidet Toilet Seat with PREMIST and Round Front, Cotton. These bidet seats can be configured to attach to your current toilet, allowing you to enjoy features like pre-misting spray and a self-cleaning bidet wand. A “soft close” function even keeps the lid from slamming shut!
As these products prove, your toilet can just as easily become a luxury feature as the rest of your bathroom.
Time to Pick Your Toilet!
With all this information in hand, you should be well on your way to knowing which type of toilet will look best for your space. And whether you’re interested in a contemporary washlet or a more traditional design, Kitchen & Bath Authority has you covered. We offer a wide selection of toilets from leading brands like American Standard, Toto, Duravit, and more.
Not only do we carry toilets from the top brands, but we also offer many of them at significant discounts to help you save big on your bathroom upgrade. Special coupons and offers, free shipping, and additional discounts that are unlocked when you sign up for our membership program make your purchase even less expensive.
Needless to say, upgrading the “throne room” may be more easily accomplished than you might initially expect.
