Privy, netty, commode, latrine, dunny, loo, head – it doesn't matter what you call it, this is hardly going to be the most glamorous subject you'll encounter. Still, finding the right toilet to suit your home and family needs is an important undertaking with a lot of information involved, and we mean to assist you in doing it right!

Bowls
There are two standard types of toilet bowls available, round or elongated. They are generally made from vitreous china. Choosing which bowl is right for your needs is the first thing for you to consider, and will help to narrow the selection down considerably.

• Round: These bowls are terrific for small or second bathrooms and powder rooms where space is at a premium. There are a great variety of seats for the round bowl, as they are the most commonly used, least expensive option.



• Elongated: Typically more comfortable, elongated bowls (usually oval shaped) are classically styled, tend to be about 2” longer than round bowls and have larger water surfaces which makes them ideal for a more powerful flush while using less water. They work well in larger and high-traffic bathrooms.

Bowl height is another important consideration. There are basically two types: standard, which is usually 14-15” high, or chair height (ADA approved), which tend to be 16”-19” high. The latter are great for taller people and folks with back or leg problems, too.

A couple of additional features you might want to be on the lookout for when shopping are sanitary bars and trapways. Sanitary bars block liquids from collecting under the tank at the back of the bowl, and the trapway is the snakelike tubing found on the sides of toilets that water flows through. The larger the trapway, the less chance you have for clogged toilets!

Styles
This particular choice will matter not only in how your system looks, but also how it fits into your bathroom, how easy they are to clean, and the level of noise they produce.

• One-Piece: A complete unit including: tank, bowl, lid, seat and various hardware. These are easy to clean, and the one-piece design means that there are no openings that could leak between the bowl and tank. Another name for a one-piece toilet is “low profile”. One-piece toilets are also a good source of ADA approved selection.



• Two-Piece: In this case, the seat, bowl, and tank are purchased separately. When done this way, the parts are generally less expensive than a one-piece toilet – just make sure you get all the necessary parts! This is the most commonly used type of toilet, and it is easy to find replacement parts for them.



• Wall-hung: These eliminate the need for a toilet foot or base, and are usually more expensive than the other two choices. In addition, they are difficult to install as the tank is contained within the wall, and difficult to repair if needed. However, there are positive points to having the added expense. Wall-hung toilets are a great choice for modern bathrooms, they save a lot of space, produce a quieter flush, and are much easier to clean. Also, if you or a loved one uses a walker or wheelchair, you will find many ADA compliant choices available to you.

Flushing Systems & Tanks
Most toilets have the same water capacity, and as of 1994, all of them are federally mandated to use 1.6 gallons or less of water per flush – as opposed to the previous 3 to 7 gallons used by older models. When it comes to flushing, a reliable toilet that produces enough power to clean out the bowl is key, but that does not necessarily equate to being expensive.

There are two standard types of flushing systems:

• Gravity flush: These use water's weight to provide pressure, making use of the trapways previously mentioned to siphon waste away. It is a very quiet option and require less maintenance. On the other hand they are also more apt to clog, and since the limitation of water flow per flush, are less likely to rinse the bowl clean.



• Pressure-assist flush: Developed after the water flow standardization mandate as a means to meet the necessary requirements, they force air into the bowl to make the water and waste go down the drain; this design reduces the chance for clogs. While definitely a better alternative to the gravity flush when it comes to cleanliness, these originally tended to be pricey, noisy, and could require continual, expensive maintenance. There have been improvements over the years to help reduce the amount of noise generated, so by all means investigate this option. You can expect savings in your water bill!

A crucial thing to keep in mind is that the toilet's flush valve, which rests inside the tank at the very bottom, should be as large as possible so as to make for a more powerful flush. Smaller valves tend to catch, keeping water flowing even after it is no longer necessary and being wasteful.

Seats
While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of bathroom interior design, toilet seats can actually be a fantastic way to liven up the room and coordinate with existing décor. Shapes will depend on the type of toilet you purchase, materials being comprised of real wood, cushioned vinyl, polypropylene and molded wood composition, to name a few. Some can be contoured for more comfortable seating, and many attractive designs offer heating options – just make sure the sea you choose fits your system!

Rough-Ins
A final but vital step is to find out how much room you'll have available for the toilet rough-in. Standard measurements require 12” between the wall and the floor drain, but it could be anywhere from 10”-14” in total, especially in older homes. You can figure out your existing rough-in distance by measuring from the bolts in the middle of the base to the wall, and if you are replacing the toilet, use those measurements when making your final choices.