Types Of Toilets That Redefine The Modern Porcelain Throne
Modern toilets offer more than basic function. With various styles, features, and space-saving options available, choosing the right toilet can make a big difference in your bathroom.
Wall Mounted Toilet
A wall hanging toilet may look like the peak of luxury, but this toilet type is actually rather affordable. A wall hanging toilet does not have backing. It looks like it’s “floating” on the wall behind it.
The toilet style is a must for those who want a contemporary feel to their homes. To achieve its “incognito” look, the tank is hidden behind the wall and the plate that you use to flush the toilet is mounted to the wall.
This design looks sharp and also saves space, which makes it a great option if you have a small bathroom space. You may have noticed how it’s a popular toilet style at hotels and restaurants.
One Piece Toilet
A one piece toilet is characterized by a single ceramic piece that encompasses all aspects of the toilet, including the bowl and tank. The toilet style is a popular choice among home renovations as it is easy to install and clean.
Two-Piece Toilet
Unlike a one-piece toilet, where the entire toilet is made of the same piece of ceramic, a two-piece toilet comes in two separate pieces.
When you purchase a two-piece toilet, you’re buying the toilet bowl and tank separately. What this means is that you have the option to mix and match the pieces if you want. So, if one section of the toilet breaks, you will not need to buy a new toilet.
Two-piece toilets are the most common toilets found in US households. The reason for this is that they are affordable and offer easy installation. They are also the longest-lasting toilet style.
Modern Toilet Flush Systems
The main feature of a toilet is its flush system. Let’s take a look at the most common toilet flush systems so you can learn more about the functions of a bathroom toilet. Although their differences aren’t visible, it’s arguably their most defining feature.
Single Flush Toilet
A single flush toilet is the most popular flush system among bathroom toilets throughout North American households. More than likely, your bathroom toilet utilizes this type of flushing technology.
Single flush toilets offer easy installation and are cheap to repair. However, one drawback is how the flush system uses the same amount of water for each flush. This feature alone means they’re not the most environmentally friendly toilet option.
Double Flush Toilet
Double flush toilets are a toilet flush system that uses two flushes for different types of waste. The toilet tank holds water for the first flush, which is used to flush away light waste such as toilet paper.
The second flush is used for heavier waste and uses more water to ensure that everything is flushed away. Double flush toilets will help you conserve water, thus reducing your monthly water bill. The special thing about the flush system is how it only uses the amount of water needed for each type of waste.
A double flush toilet has two settings — one for solid waste, and one for liquid waste. The reasoning behind this is to cut back on water consumption, as not every trip to the toilet requires the same amount of vibrato to send it down the pipes.
The disadvantages of the double flush toilet are twofold: installation isn’t cheap, and repairing them will cost more.
Automatic Flush System
Automatic flushing toilets are touchless toilets that flush automatically after every use. They are known for being more hygienic, as they reduce the spread of bacteria.
The automatic flush systems feature a powerful flush that can remove waste from the bowl. This is an important feature, as it helps to prevent clogs and keep your home’s plumbing in good condition.
They don’t require the user to do anything. Some toilet designs may require you to wave your hand over a motion sensor to signify that a toilet is ready to be flushed, while some are able to complete a flush without a motion cue.
While automatic flushing toilets are common in commercial spaces, they are also an option for homeowners who want to install a new toilet that is not only less likely to spread bacteria, but also impress guests.
Modern Toilet Seat Designs
A toilet is more than its tank and its bowl — its appearance can also be determined by its seat. It may surprise you to find out that not every toilet comes complete with a seat. Often, when you buy a new model of toilet, you will be tasked with choosing a seat yourself.
Here are the most common types of toilet seats that you will be able to choose from:
Plastic Toilet Seat
A plastic toilet covering is the most common type of toilet bowl cover, as it is not only economical but is also easy to clean. Although plastic may not be the most durable, it’s easy to replace and cost effective.
Cushioned Vinyl Toilet Seat
Though cushioned vinyl has fallen out of popularity in recent years, it was once the standard type of toilet bowl covering. A cushion vinyl toilet seat covering features a design of some sort. The seat style allows you to add a personal touch to your bathroom design.
Ceramic Toilet Seat
Often, a toilet seat will match the body of the toilet and made of ceramic material. Although they offer uniformity, they can break easily. They’re also heavy which makes them more difficult to install.
Modern Toilet Bowl Shapes
So, what about your toilet design choices? The actual bowl part of a toilet is a feature that shouldn’t be ignored.
Here are the most common types of toilet bowls:
Round Bowl
Toilet dimensions have changed to provide more comfort and accessibility. Standard toilet dimensions were 14 inches from the floor to the seat, but today they’re between 17 and 19 inches. If you have a smaller bathroom, you might want to consider a compact toilet or a corner toilet.
A round toilet bowl is the most common type of bowl on the market. They may not be a perfect circle, but they are round in shape when compared to other types of toilets. They are compact and ideal for smaller bathrooms, and also good for those with mobility issues.
Compact Elongated Bowl
A special shaped toilet bowl gets its name from its unusual concaves, which are not quite circular but not quite ovular. They are longer than the average toilet size, which means the extra length makes them ideal for maximum comfort.
In the above photo, on the left is a toilet, but on the right is a permanent bidet, which we’ll talk about later.
Elongated Bowl
An elongated toilet bowl is oval-shaped, and longer than a standard round bowl. It provides a larger area for a toilet seat to rest on but is not ideal for small bathroom spaces.
Modern Toilet Flush Handles
The toilet flush handle is a necessary component of any toilet. However, it can also be one of the most frustrating parts of using a toilet. This is true when the handle becomes loose and falls off, or when it doesn’t seem to do anything at all.
Here, we’ll offer tips for choosing the right toilet flush handle for your new commode. It’s also important to know when replacing the flush handle on your toilet or need advice on which one to buy.
Side Flush Toilet Handle
A side flush handle is located on the side of your toilet tank. The handle extends perpendicular to the wall behind the toilet.
Side flush handles are equipped with a rod fitting inside the tank and have a 90-degree bend in it. This allows the rod to move up and down when the handle lever is used.
Top Flush Handle
A button is located on top of the tank. Most dual-flush toilets use two top-located buttons for flushing. A button is located on top of the tank. Most dual-flush toilets use two top-located buttons for flushing.
Note that just because front-mount toilet handles are the most common type doesn’t mean that any front-mount handle will work on all toilets. For best results when replacing a front-mount handle, measure the lever or bring the old handle to the store with you to match it.
This may come as a surprise, but a push button mechanism is easier to repair. A push button flush feature offers two water levels, which will help you save money.
Wall Location Flush Handle
The style offers a touch button on the wall, usually located above the commode. The handles are used only for wall-hung toilets.
Touchless Flush Technology
The type of toilet features a motion sensor that only requires you to hold your hand above the sensor or stand in front of it.
Remote Toilet Flush Handle
A remote flush handle is usually located within six feet of the in-wall toilet system. Thanks to advance smartphone technology, you can also flush your toilet with a push of a button on a smartphone app.