Types of Toilets

Gravity vs. Pressure-assist toilets

Toilets consume 30 percent to 40 percent of the total water used in homes, making them the biggest water users. Replacing an older 3.5-gallon toilet with a 1.6-gallon toilet could save an average of two gallons per flush, totaling a household savings of 12,000 gallons of water per year. Dual-flush 1.6-gpf toilets further reduce water consumption by about 25 percent.

Toilets come in several main types: pressure-assist, power-assist and gravity. Be sure to compare like categories when you are shopping. Otherwise, you end up comparing apples to oranges. In general, reviews say to expect to pay between $250 and $400 for a good toilet.

In home-improvement stores, you’ll see familiar-looking two-piece toilets alongside newer one-piece toilets. The one-piece models incorporate the tank, bowl and seat into one piece of hardware. A one-piece toilet is easier to clean, doesn’t leak between the bowl and tank, and is typically more expensive than a two-piece toilet. The tank and bowl are separate in two-piece toilets, and the toilet seat is usually not included with the bowl. Two-piece toilets are usually less expensive than one-piece toilets, but they’re a little harder to clean.

Toilet bowls are available in two basic shapes — round and elongated. Round bowls save space; elongated bowls are more oval in shape, and are a bit more comfortable as well. Elongated bowls are usually 2 inches longer than round bowls. With their larger water surface, elongated bowls are recommended by the ADA for seniors or those with disabilities.

The vast majority of toilets still mount on the floor over a trap that leads to the sewer main. But you can also find wall-mounted toilets, which require a special plumbing setup. Wall-mounted toilets are more expensive, generally over $500. A wall-mounted toilet allows for easier floor cleaning.