If you have to constantly unclog your toilet, it is often running or making strange noises, it’s high time to replace it with a new toilet.

Toilet replacement time means you have to consider size, style, ease of cleaning, water usage, power, and budget. Toilets usually last 20 years, so you want to make sure you know how to choose a toilet that won’t be a pain in your butt for two decades.

Toilet Styles

There are three styles of toilets that you can choose from. The best toilet for you depends on your preferences.

Two-Piece Toilets

These toilets are the most common in households. The tank and bowl are separate but connected pieces.

Usually, these are the most budget-friendly options. Within this style, you can still choose the bowl shape as well as opt for water-saving models which we will discuss later on.

The downside to this style is that these toilets are less stylish and have crevices that can be difficult to clean.

One-Piece Toilets

These toilets are sleek and stylish. Here the tank and bowl are fused together into one seamless unit.

While these may cost a bit more than the two-piece versions, they save space and are much easier to clean. There are no tiny crevices in these models.

Wall-Hung Toilets

Wall-hung toilets hang on the wall and do not require any floor space. These minimalistic toilets don’t need a tank or a base.

The best part is that you can easily clean around and beneath the toilet without getting down on your hands and knees. No discoloration or stains will form around the toilet base with this style.

Wall-hung toilets require a thick wall for mounting and the drain must be on the wall instead of the floor. As a result, you may need to have this type of toilet professionally installed. The ticket price will likely be higher as well.

Wall-hung toilets are ideal for people who require a wheelchair or walker because they can get closer to the unit before using it.

Because these are hung on the wall, they are great space savers. You can place them closer to furniture, shower enclosures and other bathroom pieces much more readily.

If you are renovating a bathroom or building a new house, putting the drain in the wall is no big deal. Check out 7 top bathroom trends this year to make sure your reno is stylish and fresh.

Bowl Shape

Bowl shape can impact whether or not your toilet replacement will fit.

The rough-in is the measurement of the distance between the floor drain and the wall. The standard rough-in is 12 inches, but 10 or 14 inches are sometimes found in older houses.

You can find out the rough-in in your bathroom by measuring from the wall behind the toilet to the middle of the bolts on the base. Then, when you are shopping, take those toilet measurements with you to avoid buying a toilet that doesn’t fit.

Round bowls are the industry standard. These require less room. If you have a small rough-in, a round bowl is your best bet.

Elongated bowls are more comfortable because more of your body rests on the seat. If your bathroom has room for it, it might be a good choice to go with an elongated bowl toilet.

Water-Saving Toilets

Toilets use nearly 30% of a home’s water. So it’s worth the extra cost to choose a water-saving model.

Water-saving toilets can reward you with savings on your monthly water bill. The higher cost of these toilets will pay for itself before half of the unit’s lifecycle.

The federal standard for toilets ever since 1994 is that they must use less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

Dual-Flush Toilets

These toilets have two buttons (usually on the top of the tank). One is for liquid and the other is for solid waste.

The button for liquids uses only 0.8 gallons of water to flush. They tend to be pricier than other models but save you up to 25% in water use.

Another option to save money is to look for the WaterSense logo when shopping for the best toilet.

WaterSense labeled toilets are independently certified to meet rigorous criteria for both performance and efficiency. Only toilets that complete the third-party certification process can earn the WaterSense label.

You may be able to find a rebate to reduce the cost of one of these eco-friendly toilets.

Gravity Assist Toilets

There are 2 methods of flushing toilets. Gravity assist is the original method and still the most common.

When you push or pull the handle, a chain in the toilet lifts the flush valve. Water enters the bowl and goes down the pipe.

These are called gravity assist because they require the pipe to be lower than the toilet bowl in order to push the waste down into the septic tank.

Pressure-Assist Toilets

Pressure-assisted flushing systems are the newcomers to the industry. Previously, they were only used in commercial bathrooms because of their high cost.

These toilets give you the most powerful flush you can get. These toilets use water and high-pressure air to flush.

Pressurized air from a compression tank sucks the waste through the waste pipes with a lot of force. These types of toilets reduce how often your toilet will get clogged. Reason enough, some argue, to invest in one of these.

You might be surprised to learn that these do not use more water than gravity-flush toilets. 1.1 gallons per flush is normal for pressure-assist models.

Final Thoughts on Toilet Replacement

Toilet style, bowl shape, water usage and flushing mechanism are all factors that you need to consider for your toilet replacement. Toilets are that home feature that you use every day – it’s worthwhile to make an educated decision.

We hope this toilet replacement guide has helped you figure out how to choose a toilet for your home.

Now that you know more than you ever thought possible about toilets, we invite you to contact us to help you create the kitchen or bath of your dreams.