There can be a lot of factors that you have to consider when picking a new toilet for your home. There are a variety of options available to you when you first start searching and that can be overwhelming. Factors such as color, height, toilet type, and many more things go into your decision.
Knowing what kinds of toilets are available to you and what benefits they offer can help make your decision easier. Here we will share with you the first steps to choosing a new toilet and everything you need to know about the different kinds.
First Steps
Determine The Needs of The Space
Each room will have a different need when it comes to finding the right toilet. First, you’ll want to consider a couple of questions before you start searching for a new toilet. What room will this toilet be in? Maybe it will be in a guest room or a child’s room which have very different needs. Are you going for a spa or luxurious design in your bathroom or are you looking for something basic?
Measure, Measure, Measure
Once you’ve decided where the new toilet will be going, you’ll need to measure the area to make sure that you’ll have enough room for installation. This will help you to pick the right model for your area and needs. You’ll need to get the most important measurement to do this, which is the rough-in. The rough-in is the distance between the wall and the floor drain.
To determine your rough-in, measure from the wall behind the toilet to the middle of the bolts at the base. Typically, rough-ins measure 12 inches, but smaller or older bathrooms may have a rough-in of 10-14 inches.
Toilet Types
- Urinals– These are most recognized in men’s public restrooms but can be a great addition to areas where a man spends a lot of time such as the garage or man cave. They don’t take up much space since they are wall-mounted and conserve a lot of water.
- Wall-Mounted Toilets– These types of toilets can be installed at certain heights on your wall as long as it is sturdy enough to hold it. Great for walker and wheelchair transfers and very easy to keep the toilet and floor underneath clean. Since the unit and installation can be a little more expensive these have a higher upfront cost.
- One-Piece Toilets– Ideal for smaller bathrooms and very easy to keep clean since they don’t have any crevices due to not having a separate bowl and tank. These types of toilets can add a sleek, stylish element to your bathroom.
- Smart Toilets– If you’re looking for a luxurious kind of bathroom a smart toilet will be a great addition. These can come with many different premium features such as heated seats, bidets, or air dryers.
- Two-Piece Toilets– Different from the one-piece toilet, these have a separate tank and bowl. They are the most common kind of toilet you see today and are much more affordable. Plumbers can also easily find replacement parts for these toilets.
- Water-Saving Toilet– Did you know that older toilets use about 7 gallons of water per flush? Water-saving toilets are known to be an eco-friendlier option since they use 1.28 gallons per flush.
What to Consider When Deciding on a New Toilet
Aside from the types of toilets that there are, here are a few more things to consider when you’re looking for a toilet that will fit your style and needs.
- Toilet Profile– Toilet profiles can add to the aesthetic of your bathroom. The three kinds of toilet profiles you will find are visible traps, skirted bases, and concealed traps.
- Flushing Types – The different flushing types each have a specific way of removing waste and paper from your bowl. Flushing types include single-flush, pressure-assisted, dual-flush, and power-assisted.
- Toilet Heights– A standard toilet rim height is 14-15 inches while ADA-compliant toilets are 15-17 inches. Toilets will come in either tall, chair, or comfort heights.
- Toilet Color – Although white toilets are popular and common you may want a toilet that fits more of your aesthetic. Black and almond toilets can help to enhance the design of your restroom.
- Toilet Bowl Shape – There are two kinds of toilet bowl shapes. These include elongated and round bowls. Round bowls are ideal for smaller spaces while elongated bowls are more comfortable when sitting.
- Toilet Seats – Your toilet seat shape has to match the shape of your bowl. So if you have a round bowl, you’ll need a round seat. Toilet seats can provide many luxury features such as easy release, soft close, heated seats, lighted seats, bidets, and children’s seats.
Next Steps
Now that you know all your options when choosing a new toilet you can start searching for which one will fit your needs the best.
The Sierra plumbers can help give you exactly what you’re looking for with your bathroom and toilet replacement. Give us a call today to schedule a toilet installation!
