Choosing the right toilet can make your bathroom more comfortable, save money on water bills, and make cleaning easier. Here’s an easy guide to choosing the best toilet for your bathroom and your needs.
- Sizing & Shape of Your Bathroom
Before making style choices, measure the space where your toilet will go. The rough-in measurement is the distance from the wall to the center of the toilet drain. This will determine which size toilet you will buy. The most common is 12 inches, but there are still 10 and 14-inch models.If you have a smaller bathroom where space is limited, consider choosing a round bowl. Elongated bowls are more common and more comfortable, but they take up more space.
- One-Piece or Two-Piece toilet
Two-piece toilets are more common as they are affordable, easier to repair, and easier to install since one-piece toilets are heavier.One-piece toilets, on the other hand, are easier to clean and less likely to crack or leak. They are also sometimes more visually sleek.
- Choosing Flush Technology
Vacuum-assisted technology is a patented technology found in Niagara toilets. It uses an air transfer tube to create a vacuum-assisted pull that accelerates the force of the water. For more information on this technology, watch this video for an in-depth look into Niagara’s Stealth Technology®Pressure-assisted flush systems for powerful performance while using more water for a stronger flush.
Gravity-assist toilets that use a flapper are cheap and more common.
- Flush Rate
High-efficiency toilets (HETs) use 1.28 gallons per flush (GPF) or less. They save water and money.Dual-flush toilets also save water and money by offering two flush options based on how much water you need each time.
Ultra-High-Efficiency toilets (UHETs) use even less water, usually between 0.8 and 1.1 GPF. These toilets use the most advanced flushing technologies to achieve a powerful flush with little water. See Niagara’s Shadow® 0.8 GPF.
- Toilet Height
Comfort or ADA height toilets are taller and ideal for older adults and anybody with mobility issues. These toilets are usually about 17-19 inches high.Standard-height toilets are more common and are better for children. Anything 16.5 inches and below, including the toilet seat, is considered standard height.
- Style Choices
You can opt for the classic white toilet and visible trapway, but there are other options available. You can find toilet colors that range from black to biscuit. And if you want a sleek look that is easier to clean, you can choose a skirted trapway toilet.