How to Select a Toilet
When choosing a new toilet, it’s important to consider rough-in size, bowl shape, toilet height and toilet design. Learn how to select a toilet in this video by The Home Depot:
To make sure your new floor mount toilet fits your space, measure from the wall behind the toilet straight out to the floor bolts that attach the toilet to the floor. Don’t measure from the baseboard. This is the rough-in size. The most common rough-in is 12 inches.
To ensure your wall-mount toilet fits your space, determine the depth of the wall studs which will hold the in-wall water tank. These tanks come in sizes that coordinate with 2×6 or 2×4 studs. You will need to choose a tank that matches.
You have two options for bowl shape. Elongated bowls are longer and somewhat egg shaped. Most people find these a bit more comfortable. Round bowls are smaller and take up less space, so they’re ideal for smaller bathrooms.
In terms of seat height, standard toilets are 14-15 inches high, but 16-17 inch models are popular with people who are tall or have mobility issues.
There are multiple design options:
- Two-piece models have a separate tank and bowl. These are by far the most common and are generally more economical.
- One-piece models are seamless. They usually cost a bit more, can be easier to clean, and create a sleek look.
- Wall-mounted units don’t touch the floor, so they require a drain in the wall and a thicker wall to support their weight. These usually cost more to purchase and install.
- Since toilets can account for nearly 30% of an average home’s indoor water consumption, consider a water-saving model to save money. New flushing technology enables water conservation without sacrificing flush performance.
