- Choose the right toilet height
Toilets usually have a standard height (the height you may be used to) and a comfortable height, two to three inches higher than the standard height. Unless you are buying a toilet that children often use, a toilet with a comfortable height is usually the most comfortable (hence the name).
2. Consider water-saving toilets and double flush toilets
Nowadays, the maximum amount of water a toilet can use during a flush is 1.6 gallons, which is much lower than toilets in the past, so if you are replacing an old toilet, chances are any toilet you buy will use less water than your old one. However, if you really want to decrease your water use, consider buying a toilet that’s specially designed to conserve water or a dual-flush toilet, which has a low-volume flush for times when just a little water will work and a standard-volume flush for times when you need a normal amount of flushing power.
3. Decide whether you want a One-piece or Two-piece toilet
Two-piece toilets have tanks and bowls that are separate pieces and are the standard toilet used in most homes. Two-piece toilets function well, and many people are very satisfied with them; however, some people prefer one-piece toilets, in which the toilet and the water tank are integrated into a seamless unit. One-piece toilets are easier to clean than two-piece toilets, and they have a smooth silhouette and stylish appearance that some people like.
4. Choose a bowl shape that fits your bathroom
Toilets come with either round bowls or elongated bowls. As the name implies, round bowls are fairly round and work well in smaller bathrooms because of their small profile. Elongated bowls are oval-shaped and are two or three inches longer than round bowls. Some people find the elongated bowls to be more comfortable.
5. Understand the different flush mechanisms
For years, homes used only one kind of toilet: the gravity-flush toilet. These toilets use the weight of water to provide flushing power. The flushing mechanism is simple, which means these toilets are low maintenance, and gravity-flush toilets are perfectly adequate for many people. However, once toilet manufacturers began looking for ways to conserve water, they devised new ways to create flushing power, which resulted in assisted-flush or pressure-flush toilets. These toilets use air to increase flushing pressure, which results in a more powerful, efficient flush.
