We spend countless hours sitting on a toilet over a lifetime. So we better make sure we buy the right one. For so many homeowners, our toilets are the last thing ever to get replaced. They seem to last forever. The common terms for them are also known as lavatory, lav, John, restroom, and latrine. Like so many other products, fashion, technology, selection and price range have not passed up our toilets. Ergonomics is now playing a significant role in how toilets are made. Additionally, water conservation plays a big part in the design. You can ask your plumbing contractor for what might be the latest toilet craze.
Set A Budget
The first bit of advice when choosing a toilet is to establish a budget. They can cost anywhere from $89 up to $1,200 and even more. You can expect to pay $150 to $300 for an excellent quality toilet. Some manufacturers also include the toilet kit, and some do not.
Select The Color You Desire
Next, you’ll want to pick out your color. Yes, toilets now come in different colors such as grey, beige, white and black are standard. Some manufacturers have designer colors, for example, American Standard® has Aegean mist, autumn gold, bayberry-avocado Bermuda coral and more. You can expect to pay slightly more for a designer colored toilet and chances are you’ll have to special order it.
One Piece Toilet Or Two
You’ll need to decide on a one piece or two piece toilet. Both use the same amount of water, flush the same and are installed the same. But there are some added benefits to a one-piece toilet in my opinion. In most cases, one piece is smaller and takes up less space. They sit lower to the ground and are more suited for a whole family. Since they are one piece of ceramic, they are easier to clean.
Sit On It Before You Purchase
Have you ever purchased a sofa or chair and never sat in it? Of course not, then don’t buy a toilet without sitting on it. Are you more suited for oval or round? Do you like your toilet lower to the ground or do you like it higher? What about the ergonomics of pooping? The science behind our toilets are buzzing, so take the time to read up on toilets before you make a purchase.
Purchase a Toilet With The Watersense® Label
What about a toilet that conserves water? Did you know that before 1982 our toilets used 5 to 7 gallon per flush (GPF)? Most toilets today use 1.6 GPF. Many manufacturers have 1.28 and 1.1 GPF toilets. Look for a toilet that has the WaterSense® label.