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Although toilets are not the hottest topic, we use them every day. Some toilet bowls last up to 50 years, while others last about 10 years. Whether your toilet has run out of steam or is just getting ready for an upgrade, this is not a project you want to put off for too long, no one wants to live without a functioning toilet.
If you’ve started shopping for a new toilet and are feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of options on the market, you’re not alone. There are many types of toilet flush systems, styles and designs to choose from – some toilets are even self-flushing! If you’re not yet familiar with the features of a toilet, it’s best to do some research before pulling the handle of your new toilet. Read on to learn more about toilet types so you can make an informed decision for your bathroom.
Before replacing or repairing a toilet, it is important to have a basic understanding of the major components of a toilet. Here are some key components found in most toilets:
There are several factors to consider when deciding what type of closet your space needs. The first thing you should decide is the type of toilet flusher and the system you prefer. Below are the different types of toilet flush systems.
Before buying, decide whether you want to install the toilet yourself or hire someone to do it for you. If you have basic knowledge of plumbing and plan to replace the toilet yourself, be sure to set aside two to three hours for the job. Or, if you prefer, you can always hire a plumber or handyman to do the job for you.
Homes around the world are commonly equipped with gravity flush toilets. These models, also known as siphon toilets, have a water tank. When you press the flush button or lever on a gravity flush toilet, the water in the cistern pushes all the waste in the toilet through the siphon. The flush action also helps keep the toilet clean after every use.
Gravity toilets rarely clog and are relatively easy to maintain. They also don’t require a lot of intricate parts and run silently when not flushed. These features may explain why they remain so popular in many homes.
Suitable for: residential real estate. Our pick: Kohler Santa Rosa Comfort Height Extended Toilet at The Home Depot, $351.24. This classic toilet features an extended toilet and a powerful gravity flush system that uses just 1.28 gallons of water per flush.
Dual flush toilets offer two flush options: half flush and full flush. A half flush uses less water to remove liquid waste from the toilet through a gravity-fed system, while a full flush uses a forced flush system to flush solid waste.
Dual flush toilets typically cost more than standard gravity flush toilets, but are more economical and more environmentally friendly. The water saving benefits of these low flow toilets make them an excellent choice for water scarce areas. They are also becoming increasingly popular with consumers seeking to reduce their overall environmental impact.
Suitable for: saving water. Our Pick: Woodbridge Extended Dual Flush One-Piece Toilet, $366.50 at Amazon. Its one-piece design and smooth lines make it easy to clean, and it features an integrated soft-closing toilet seat.
Forced-pressure toilets provide a very powerful flush, making them ideal for homes where multiple family members share the same toilet. The flush mechanism in a forced-pressure toilet uses compressed air to force water into the tank. Due to its powerful flushing capacity, multiple flushes are rarely needed to remove debris. However, the pressure flush mechanism makes these types of toilets louder than most other options.
Suitable for: Families with multiple members. Our pick: US Standard Cadet Right Extended Pressurized Toilet at Lowe’s, $439. This pressure booster toilet uses just 1.6 gallons of water per flush and is mold resistant.
The double cyclone toilet is one of the new types of toilets available today. While not as water efficient as dual flush toilets, swirl flush toilets are more environmentally friendly than gravity flush or pressure flush toilets.
These toilets have two water nozzles on the rim instead of rim holes on other models. These nozzles spray water with minimal use for efficient flushing.
Good for: reducing water consumption. Our pick: Lowe’s TOTO Drake II WaterSense toilet, $495.
The shower toilet combines the features of a standard toilet and a bidet. Many shower toilet combinations also offer smart controls to enhance the user experience. From the remote or built-in control panel, users can adjust the toilet seat temperature, bidet cleaning options, and more.
One of the advantages of shower toilets is that combined models take up much less space than buying a separate toilet and bidet. They fit in place of a standard toilet so no major modifications are required. However, when considering the cost of replacing a toilet, be prepared to spend a lot more on a shower toilet.
Suitable for those who have limited space but want both a toilet and a bidet. Our recommendation: Woodbridge Single Flush Toilet with Smart Bidet Seat, $949 at Amazon. update any bathroom space.
Instead of flushing waste down the drain like most types of toilets, up-flush toilets eject waste from the back into a grinder. There it is processed and pumped into a PVC pipe that connects the toilet to the house’s main chimney for discharge.
The advantage of flush toilets is that they can be installed in areas of the home where plumbing is not available, making them a good choice when adding a bathroom without spending thousands of dollars on new plumbing. You can even connect a sink or shower to the pump to make it easy to DIY a bathroom just about anywhere in your home.
Best for: Adding to a bathroom without existing fixtures. Our recommendation: Saniflo SaniPLUS Macerating Upflush Toilet Kit $1295.40 on Amazon. Install this toilet in your new bathroom without tearing down floors or hiring a plumber.
A composting toilet is a waterless toilet where waste is removed using aerobic bacteria to break down materials. With proper handling, composted waste can be safely disposed of and even used to fertilize plants and improve soil structure.
Composting toilets have several advantages. It’s a great choice for motorhomes and other places without traditional plumbing. In addition, dry closets are more economical than any other type of toilet. Since no water is required for flushing, dry closets may be the best choice for drought-prone areas and for those who want to reduce their overall home water consumption.
Suitable for: RV or boat. Our pick: Nature’s Head self-contained composting toilet, $1,030 at Amazon. This composting toilet has a solid waste disposal spider in a tank big enough for a family of two. Waste up to six weeks.
In addition to various flush systems, there are also many styles of toilets. These style options include one-piece, two-piece, high, low, and hanging toilets.
As the name suggests, a one-piece toilet is made from a single material. They are slightly smaller than the two-piece models and are perfect for smaller bathrooms. Installing this modern toilet is also easier than installing a two-piece toilet. In addition, they are often easier to clean than more sophisticated toilets because they have fewer hard-to-reach places. However, one disadvantage of one-piece toilets is that they are more expensive than traditional two-piece toilets.
Two-piece toilets are the most popular and affordable option. Two-piece design with separate tank and toilet. Although they are durable, individual components can make these models difficult to clean.
The superior toilet, a traditional Victorian toilet, has a cistern mounted high on the wall. The flush pipe runs between the cistern and the toilet. By pulling a long chain attached to the tank, the toilet is flushed.
The lower level toilets have a similar design. However, instead of being mounted so high on the wall, the water tank is mounted further down the wall. This design requires a shorter drain pipe, but it can still give the bathroom a vintage feel.
Hanging toilets, also known as hanging toilets, are more common in commercial buildings than private bathrooms. The toilet and flush button are mounted on the wall, and the toilet cistern behind the wall. A wall hung toilet takes up less space in the bathroom and is easier to clean than other styles.
Lastly, you also need to consider different toilet design options, such as the height, shape, and color of the toilet. Choose the model that suits your bathroom and suits your comfort preferences.
There are two main height options to consider when buying a new toilet. Standard toilet sizes offer a height of 15 to 17 inches. These low profile toilets may be the best choice for families with children or people without mobility restrictions that limit their ability to bend over or crouch to sit on the toilet.
Alternatively, a stool-height toilet seat is higher off the floor than a standard-height toilet seat. The seat height is approximately 19 inches which makes it easier to sit. Of the different heights of toilets available, chair-height toilets may be the best choice for people with reduced mobility, as they require less bending over to sit on.
Toilets come in different shapes. These different shape options can affect how comfortable the toilet is and how it looks in your space. Three basic bowl shapes: round, thin and compact.
Round toilets offer a more compact design. However, for many people, the round shape is not as comfortable as the longer seat. An elongated toilet, on the contrary, has a more oval shape. The extra length of the extended toilet seat makes it more comfortable for many people. However, the extra length also takes up more space in the bathroom, so this toilet shape may not be suitable for smaller bathrooms. Finally, the Compact Extended WC combines the comfort of an elongated WC with the compact features of a round WC. These toilets take up the same amount of space as round ones but have an extra long oval seat for added comfort.
The drain is the part of the toilet that connects to the plumbing system. The S-shaped trap helps prevent clogging and keeps the toilet working properly. While all toilets use this S-shaped hatch, some toilets have an open hatch, a skirted hatch, or a concealed hatch.
With the hatch open, you will be able to see the S-shape at the bottom of the toilet, and the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor will hold the lid in place. Toilets with open siphons are more difficult to clean.
Toilets with skirts or hidden traps are usually easier to clean. Flush toilets have smooth walls and a lid that covers the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. A flush toilet with a skirt has identical sides that connect the bottom of the toilet to the toilet.
When choosing a toilet seat, choose one that matches the color and shape of your toilet. Many two-piece toilets are sold without a seat, and most one-piece toilets come with a removable seat that can be replaced if needed.
There are many toilet seat materials to choose from, including plastic, wood, molded synthetic wood, polypropylene, and soft vinyl. In addition to the material that the toilet seat is made of, you can also look for other features that will make your bathroom more enjoyable. At The Home Depot, you’ll find padded seats, heated seats, illuminated seats, bidet and dryer attachments, and more.
While traditional white and off-white are the most popular toilet colors, they are not the only options available. If you wish, you can purchase a toilet in any color to match or stand out with the rest of your bathroom decor. Some of the more common colors include various shades of yellow, grey, blue, green, or pink. If you’re willing to pay extra, some manufacturers offer toilets in custom colors or even custom designs.