The toilet is by far one of the most important accessories you’ll find in the home. Modern or traditional, there’s no doubt that it serves quite a very crucial purpose we cannot do without.
When it comes to buying the best toilet for your space, there are lots of factors to consider. A huge price tag doesn’t always mean great performance, and that’s why you need guides like this to choose the best toilet for your budget.
From premium comfort to worry-free performances, the best commodes deliver all you need to live luxuriously in this world and beyond. Here are some helpful things to think about before you make a purchase.
What are the types of toilets?
Most toilets today fall into either of these two types: Pressure-assisted and gravity-feed. Though gravity-feed toilets seem to dominate the market, the pressure-assisted are also worth your consideration.
Keep scrolling and you’ll find all you need to know about both types:
Pressure-assisted toilets
Here’s a good toilet option if your family is quite a large one, though you might have to bear with the noisy flush.
Water compacts air within the sealed tank and creates pressure. The pressure created then pushes waste and thrusts it down the waste line with full force.
Before choosing, be sure your home has just the amount of water pressure necessary for the toilet to work. In most cases, you’ll need a water pressure of about 25 pounds per square inch, at least.
Gravity-feed Toilets
Unlike pressure-assisted toilets, gravity-feed toilets do not require so much water pressure to work properly. With about 10 pounds per square inch of water pressure, they work well.
Gravity-fees toilets use flush valves, and they rely greatly on gravity. If you’re not a fan of a noisy flush, or you simply cannot bear with the noise that comes from flushing pressures-assisted toilets, then this is for you.
What factors should I consider before buying a toilet?
As soon as you’re sure of the design you wish to install, there are several factors and necessary features to consider before buying. Check out some of them below:
Cost of purchase
Prices of new commodes vary from around one hundred dollars to a little above five thousand dollars.
If you’re going for the low-priced toilets, then you’re likely to get something basic with just a few features. Low-priced toilets do not last as long as those with much higher prices.
As you may expect, high-priced toilets come with lots of extra features, and they’re built in such a way that allows for easy flushing and maintenance.
If you happen to fall in the middle ground of the price spectrum, you can certainly find toilets that offer great perks and last long, though they may not last as long as high-priced toilets.
Bathroom size
You definitely would not find your toilet useful if it doesn’t fit in your space. Before making a purchase, ensure the space allotted to your toilet is large enough. Taking measurements before hitting the market is a brilliant idea, and it’d help you get a toilet that’s just your match.
If you’re buying a new toilet to replace the old (and you’re placing it in the same spot as the old), what you need is a "rough in" size.
Most bathrooms today may have the 12-inch rough-in, but there are older homes with about 10-inch to 14-inch rough-in size. Check out the product specs of the toilet you’re choosing to know all rough-in details.
If you have a small bathroom, you may want to consider buying a tankless commode. Though not ideal in all cases, they may be perfect where fitting a tanked toilet becomes an issue.
Bowl shape
Most toilet shapes are either round or elongated.
Round toilets are smaller and way easier to fit into difficult areas and small bathrooms. They’re also a good option for those on a budget.
On the other hand, elongated toilets are more oval in shape, and they’re often longer than round toilets by about two inches.
Given their slightly bigger size, enlongated tend to be more comfortable. And if you wouldn’t place cost above comfort, they’d serve you much better.
Comfort level
You’re probably more inclined to think comfort when choosing a sofa or an office lounge than when buying a toilet. But face it, comfort is important here too.
Before buying, be sure the toilet offers a reasonable amount of comfort and is cozy enough to serve you. As stated above, elongated toilets are more comfortable for the majority of users.
Shape/height
The shape of your toilet largely influences the level of comfort you enjoy. And as mentioned earlier, if you aren’t choosing round, then you must be going for the elongated toilets.
Elongated toilets are generally regarded as the more comfortable toilets.
For heights, the standard measure is around 15 inches, though most people still prefer taller toilets. The reason is not far-fetched: taller toilets tend to be less stressful on the back and a lot easier to sit on.
Noise
Not all toilet models have a ‘quiet flush’. Some are quick to announce to your guests that you’ve just used the toilet.
To save yourself the embarrassment that comes from a noisy flush, you may go for gravity-feed toilets. You may as well check out reviews from customers to confirm the particular model’s impression.
Installation type
Your toilet’s installation type can either be floor-mounted or wall-mounted.
While the floor-mounted, which constitutes the majority, means toilets that are affixed to the floor, the wall-mounted are attached a bit above the floor and to the wall. For wall-mounted toilets, the tank goes inside the wall to counter the weight of the bowl.
If you’re a stickler for the aesthetics, then you may want to consider going for the wall-mounted. It creates a sleek, high-end look and makes your bathroom look clean.
FAQs
Q: What type of toilet is best for small bathrooms?
A: There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best toilet for your space. But generally, round bowls are great options for small bathrooms. They require less space, and so they fit in quite easily.
Q: Does poop clog toilets?
A: Yes. Chances are high poop will clog your toilet if they are abnormally large.
Q: Why does my toilet have a weak flush?
A: Your toilet may lose flushing power when there’s a partial clogging in the waste pipe or rim jets. In such an instance, you may clear blockages and fine-tune the system to keep water levels adjusted.