Choices You Didn’t Know You Had

There are a lot more considerations to make when purchasing a toilet than most people realize. The incredible variety in contemporary toilets offers options for cleaner flushes, lower water consumption, and increased comfort. If you don’t know what you’re looking for when you go in, it’s easy to miss out on your options. Here, we’ll provide a little glimpse at the different factors that must be taken into consideration.

Gravity Flush vs. Pressure Assisted

For years, the gravity flush toilet design has been found in most homes. A gravity flush toilet works on the principles of gravity, as might be expected based on its name. Water housed in a tank above the bowl is released into the bowl, causing water to push through the trap and thereby emptying the bowl of its contents. Gravity flush toilets are still frequently chosen for residential use because they are easy to repair and generally rather quiet.

On the other hand, pressure assist has become popular for commercial toilets. Pressure assisted toilets are based on a tank inside tank model. When water comes into the tank, it creates air pressure in the tank chamber, allowing more water to reside in the bowl. This leaves a larger water spot and results in a cleaner bowl. When the toilet is flushed, the compressed air is released, forcing water to instantly prime the trap. Though the process makes for a more efficient flush, pressure assist is still not a popular option for contemporary toilets. They tend to be loud and can be difficult to repair. Most hardware stores don’t stock the parts used in pressure assisted toilets.

Low Flow Toilets

A major concern for many purchasing contemporary toilets is the level of environmental friendliness they offer. Low flow toilets use significantly less water than a full flush toilet. While full flush modern toilets use about 1.6 gallons of water per flush, a low flow toilet uses only 0.6 gallons or less per flush. Many low flow toilets have a dual flush system that uses more water for solid waste than for liquid waste.

Comfort Height Toilets

Originally, comfort height toilets entered the scene when the Americans with Disabilities Act specified that commercial bathrooms must have at least one ADA compliant toilet. While traditional toilets measured below 17 inches in height from the floor to the top of the seat, comfort height toilets are approximately two inches taller. They make sitting down and standing up easier and have become popular for those without disabilities as well. Many simply find that they are more comfortable, and many elderly persons find them easier to use.

Other Considerations

Contemporary toilets are also available in one and two piece varieties and with a number of bowl shapes. While two piece toilets have been popular for years, featuring separate tanks and bowls, one piece toilets are beginning to wax in popularity. They integrate tank and bowl into a seamless design that saves space and is easier to clean. In terms of bowl shape, contemporary toilets are available with elongated and round front bowls.