Toilet Types and Options For Bathroom Remodeling

If you're undertaking a bathroom remodeling, one of the many choices you'll need to make is picking out your new toilet. The truth is, there are few, if any, home elements that get more use than the toilet. Replacing your toilet is not a very frequent project, so buying a toilet is probably not something you're going to have a lot of experience with. 

Basically, your toilet needs to be comfortable, functional, and fit into your bathroom's stylistic design. While it might seem pretty straightforward, there are some important considerations to consider before buying a toilet. While the basic gravity-flush toilet is a pretty trouble-free fixture, toilets have come a long way over the years. Today, you'll find numerous types, designs, functions, and flushing capabilities. 

In this post, we'll look at the four most popular types of toilets available, what you need to look for when choosing a new toilet, and a few important considerations before you buy your new fixture.

The Four Types of Toilets

Toilet technology has come a long way in the past several years. Today, choosing the right toilet for your bathroom remodeling can be a little tricky. Your toilet can be plain, or fancy, utilitarian, or smart, and can even work to fit perfectly into your aesthetic bathroom design. While toilets come in different heights, flush volumes, colors, and shapes, there are basically four common types to choose from. They are:

Two-Piece Toilets

The two-piece toilet is the most common type used in the U.S. The tank and bowl are made separately and attached before or during installation. This is generally the case because the weight and size of two-piece toilets can make installation difficult. 

Two-piece toilets are perfect for adults since the seat height is generally higher than a one-piece toilet. Because this is the oldest design, costs for a two-piece toilet are generally lower than other types. 

Planning a Low Maintenance Easy To Clean Bathroom Design

Repairs are relatively inexpensive and pretty simple. Most parts can be fixed or replaced easily. This is often not the option with a one-piece. Cleaning a two-piece toilet is not difficult. However, it is a little harder than cleaning a one-piece.

Some two-piece toilets have a design and appearance that mimics the look of a one-piece toilet, while still being lower priced and offering comfort-height seating option.

One-Piece Toilets

One and two-piece toilets serve the same basic purpose, and both come with their own pros and cons. One-piece toilets generally offer a more sleek design, are easier to clean, and easy to install. Both one and two-piece toilets use the same amount of water per flush (assuming they have the same flushing system). 

One-piece toilets are typically more expensive, but they are more durable. They're also ideal for smaller bathrooms because they take up less space and sit closer to the ground.

Wall-Hung Toilets

If bathroom space is at a premium, a wall-hung toilet is a great choice. This type of toilet is mounted to the wall, and the water tank is hidden inside the wall. All you see is the bowl and flush-plate. Wall-hung toilets offer a sleek, modern design. Unlike most toilets, a wall-hung toilet not only takes up less space, but it can also be placed almost anywhere in the room as long as it's near a water source. So if you're starting a full bathroom remodeling, a wall-hung toilet is much more versatile than either a one-piece or two-piece assembly.

All that versatility and design don't come without a cost. Wall-hung toilets are much more expensive than one or two-piece models, and they typically require more repairs. Because the tank is placed behind the wall, most homeowners will need to hire a professional to repair them.

Smart Toilets

Technology has come to the bathroom! If you're looking for a 21st-century bathroom experience, consider a smart toilet! If you want the most comfortable and most functional toilet, a smart toilet is an excellent choice. From heated seats to self-cleaning and automated flushing, toilet technology and comfort have come a long way!

Smart toilets can include features like heated sears, motion-activated lighting, hands-free flushing, dual-flush systems, self-cleaning wands, bidets, deodorizing seats, and warm-air drying.

Each of these toilet types comes with unique pros and cons. Define the most important features you'd like, consider your needs, and your budget and design aesthetic before choosing Smart toilets. Wall-hung toilets require professional installation and access to electricity in the case of smart toilets. Your design-build professional will need to take these elements into account when in the design and construction phases. 

Before You Buy A Toilet For Your Remodel

The more informed and educated you are, the easier it is to narrow your choices and make the perfect choice to meet your family's needs. You'll need to consider some important things before you buy, both technical information and design choices. 

Where is the Drain Located?

You'll need to measure the wall to the center of the bolts at the base of your existing toilet – or designated location. This will provide you with the rough-in measurement for your drain location. The standard measurement is 12-inches. There is a 1-inch variance, so if your measurement is between 11 and 13”, you should be fine. If the distance is 10 or 14-inches, you'll need to get a special order unit.

What's Your Budget?

Before selecting a specific toilet or feature set, if you're opting for a smart toilet, look at prices to make sure that it fits within your budget. There can be a huge variance in the price of toilets based on the size, style, and the number of features it offers. Features like comfort heights and elongated bowl shapes can affect the price and cost a bit more.

Researching All of Your Options for Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Once you have your measurement and budget, you can begin to narrow down your choices and consider options and details like toilet type (one-piece, two-piece, etc.) and toilet design.

Toilets come with various features in various configurations for different uses and needs. This is a broad category that includes elements like:

Toilet Height – Comfort height toilets as slightly taller than standard height units. If your planning on aging in place or have disabilities, the Americans with Disability Act requires public toilets to be 17” from the floor to the top of the seat.

Bowl Shape – You can choose from bowls that are elongated, compact-elongated, or round. Elongated toilets offer deeper seating. Compact-elongated toilets offer deeper seating and will work in most residential applications. Round-toilets take up the least space and a good choice for a smaller bathroom.

One Flush or Two – Toilet designs have become much more efficient. Dual flush options are a great water-saving feature. They have two buttons to choose from – full-flush uses 1.6 gallons, partial flush can use as little as .8 gallons.

Toilet Trap – Toilets can have trap configurations that are ”exposed” or visible from the side, or the trap configuration can be hidden by the design – so a side view offers a flat surface. This one is about aesthetics. Visible-trap looks great in a classic-style bathroom, and a hidden-trap is perfect in a modern or contemporary design. 

Flush-handle Location – Flush mechanisms can be on the left or right side of the tank or top of the lid. Today, there are also touchless flush models, where a touch anywhere on the tank will initiate the flush. You can even get toilets with electronic remote-control systems.

Do your research. Visit big box stores and specialty bathroom remodeling showrooms and research the major manufacturers, Toto, Kohler, and American Standard online. Speak with your design-build professional and see what's out there. New toilets can vary widely in prices ranging from under $100 for a basic economy model from a big box store to $5,000 or more for the latest smart toilet technology.

Today, you have more choices than ever before when it comes to the elements of your bathroom remodel. Your toilet is an important fixture in your home. If you're embarking on a bathroom remodeling project, choosing the right toilet can keep your family comfortable and meet all of your needs for decades. 

If you're planning a bathroom remodeling project, and want to explore all of your options, give Degnan Design-Build-Remodel's award-winning design team a call at (608) 846-5963. We're always happy to talk to you about our process and show you what's possible!

This article was updated by Abe Degnan on 9/14/2022.