Choosing The Right Toilet ~ 8 Easy Tips

You might be building a new home, or fixing up the one you have. With all the details concerned, you might overlook the humble toilet. Still, the toilet is a key piece of a comfortable, modern, well-functioning home. Following a few straightforward steps can help you find a toilet that is right for you, both functionally and aesthetically. It's important that you find the right toilet for YOUR home.

Here are the things to consider:

1). The toilet bowl's shape: You can choose an elongated shape or a round one. The round front tends to be two inches shorter, and works well for smaller spaces. The larger elongated front is more comfortable and sanitary, since there is less drip on the toilet.

2). The toilet size: There are lots of choices, with different lengths, widths and heights Make sure you measure the space available for the toilet to ensure a comfortable fit. You also need to consider the rough-in space, which is how far the center of the toilet bowl is from the finished wall, since this limits the size of the toilet.

3). The toilet trapway's size: The trap way is that part of the toilet that through which the water and waste exit. The minimum standard size is designed to accommodate waste of up to a 1 ½ inch diameter. The larger the trapway, the less likely clogging will be.

4). The flushing system: US water conservation laws dictate that toilets must have a 1.6 gallon tank. Despite this, different flush technologies give you some choice. In gravity fed toilets, the weight of the water from the tank pushes the waste through an S shaped trap way, as the siphon that is created empties the bowl. With pressure assisted toilets, air in the tank is compressed as it fills with water. When flushing, the pressurized air pushes the water more strongly into the bowl, resulting in a better flush. Disadvantages, though, include greater noise, expense and difficulty of repairing.

5). 1 or 2 piece toilets: Most commonly, you will find the more inexpensive two piece toilets, with the bowl and tank being two separate connected pieces. A one piece toilet connects five to six parts into one seamless looking piece. These have a bit more style to them (with a correspondingly more expensive price tag), and need less space and are easier to clean.

6). Maintenance features: Some toilets have features designed to make it easier to take care of them. For instance, Toto, an innovative Japanese manufacturer, has SanaGloss, a ceramic glaze which prevents bacteria and mold buildup, making the toilet easy to clean. American Standard has its EasyClean feature. The designers at Kohler have come up with an insulated liner that prevents moisture from condensation on the toilet tank's outside.

7). How the toilet looks: The toilet should work efficiently, but should also be a positive addition to your bathroom's look. Fortunately, today’s toilets come in a huge selection of colors and sizes. Bear mind, though, that choosing a color other than white can significantly add to the toilet’s price. If you want everything in your bathroom to match, you may want to consider buying a bathroom suite.

8). What else?: High end toilets may come with heated seats, warm air drying systems and built-in bidets, such as the Toto Washlets. Kohler Comfort Height toilets have a higher seat, making sitting down and standing easier.

So, there you have eight easy tips for choosing a toilet.