Selecting a toilet can be a tough decision. While many household toilets look the same, there are a surprising number of choices available on the market. If you're a homeowner picking a toilet, you'll need to consider a variety of factors when making your selection. Water efficiency, comfort, style, and color can vary from one toilet to the next.
Water Efficiency
Water efficiency is an important issue in plumbing and home improvement. In 1994, the EPA set standards that required all new toilets to use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush. Some high-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush, and ultra-high-efficiency toilets use as little as 0.8 gallons per flush.
Homeowners who want to prioritize saving water can purchase an ultra-high-efficiency toilet for their bathroom. With a new high-efficiency toilet, homeowners can begin saving water immediately.
Comfort
Comfort is important, and many modern toilets place comfort at a premium. Homeowners who want their bathroom experience to be extra luxurious can purchase a toilet that has a heated seat or plays music for the person using the toilet.
Heated toilet seats, in particular, make the experience of using the toilet to be extra pleasurable and comfortable. Homeowners who have an extra cold bathroom are especially good candidates for this type of toilet.
Some luxury toilets include features like a touchscreen, bidet features, and automatic seats that raise and lower as needed. While toilets of this type are very expensive, they can also be enjoyable to use and attractive in the bathroom.
Color
Most toilets are white or ivory. However, some higher-end toilets come in different colors like black, gray, or pastel colors. A colored toilet can be a commitment, and if you're thinking about selling your home sometime in the near future, remember that not all home buyers like colored toilets.
If you'd like to buy a white toilet, remember that not all whites are the same. If your toilet is a different shade of white from your sink or shower, your bathroom could look a little mismatched. To ensure that the toilet is the same color as the rest of your plumbing, try to match brands or buy your toilet from the same store that made your shower and sink.
Style
Toilets come in different styles. The style of toilet can have a big impact on its appearance, and even it's functionality.
Standard toilets found in most homes come in a two-piece style. The bowl and tank are attached when the toilet is installed in the bathroom. Because you can disassemble them, two-piece toilets are easy to transport and relatively easy to install.
Some homeowners prefer one-piece toilets because they have no seam between the tank and bowl, which makes them easier to clean. However, one-piece toilets are difficult to move, can be challenging to get into the bathroom (especially if the bathroom is on the second floor or has a narrow doorway).
Some homeowners prefer the wall-mounted toilet type, which has a tank inside the wall. Wall-mounted toilets are commonly found in commercial bathrooms. However, some homeowners prefer wall-mounted toilets because they take up less space in the bathroom. It's best to let a plumber install your wall-mounted toilet.
Sometimes it's hard to pick the right toilet for your bathroom. Consulting with a plumber can help you rule out models that might not fit the space or work with your current plumbing set up. If you're a homeowner trying to pick the right toilet, contact a reputable plumber in your area.
At Michigan Plumbing, we encourage homeowners to ask us their plumbing questions. To get started with your plumbing upgrades and toilet replacement,
contact us today.
