A toilet is an essential and practical feature in any modern home. You can find various models of this type of plumbing on the market, but they can differ in design, construction, materials, and many other things. Therefore, to equip your bathroom properly, it’s a good idea to figure out how you can select a suitable toilet by taking into account many features.
Buying a New Toilet
A good model needs to match the interior, and it should also be durable and comfortable. This page explains the top features to look out for when purchasing a toilet.
Dimensions
The sizes are important, especially if you have a small bathroom or desire to use the available space efficiently. Firstly, you need to measure the rough-in and choose the toilet model based on these measurements. An ideal toilet can measure 10, 12, or even 14 inches from a toilet bolt cap to a wall. This parameter can be hard to modify because you will need to remodel the pipes or walls, making it crucial to measure it correctly.
Besides, you have to take note of the seat height. Most of the standard toilets are usually at least 14 inches from the bathroom floor. It can be quite comfortable for kids and middle-age people, but the elderly or even people with health issues can experience problems. In such cases, it’s a good idea to choose a model that has an increased height. These toilets can sometimes reach up to 18 inches high to make them easy for those with special needs to either sit or get up.
What is a Toilet Rough-in
A rough-in refers to the distance between the wall at the back of the toilet and the center of the toilet flange. The center of the toilet flange aligns with the middle of the toilet bolts that hold the toilet bowl in place. Measuring a rough in are usually the following measurements:
- 10 inches
- 12 inches
- 14 inches
- 12-inch rough-in toilets are the most commonly found.
Before buying a new toilet, it is essential to measure the rough-in of the toilet so that the bathroom can accommodate the toilet space. You don’t want to end up with a toilet that can’t fit in your bathroom. If your bathroom space is very limited, a 10-inch rough-in toilet comes in handy.
Mounting
When it comes to the method of fastening, there are floor-standing models that are a common and traditional solution. They come with a toilet foot that is attached to the floor and widens slightly at the base. This kind is known for its ease of installation. It is ideal for apartments and houses with enough bathroom space because this type of plumbing doesn’t provide space.
There are also wall-mounted models that don’t have a base. You can mount these models directly into the wall to save space. But it can be hard to install these models, especially for unskilled people.
You can also find at Victoria Plum back-to-wall toilets that are a golden mean between modern wall-mounted toilets and traditional floor-standing toilets. This plumbing is fixed to the floor, so you can mount a tank to the wall, and just a flush button is taken out. Unlike suspended models, the installation of these is not hard.
Material
The toilet bowls come in a wide range of materials including cast iron and plastic. These materials can be affordable, but cracks and chips can develop on them over time.
The worst thing is that they tend to have low moisture resistance. On the other hand, you can find China toilets that are quite expensive, but they usually last longer because they have reinforcing elements, such as quartz.