Measure Twice for the Right Fit
If you’ve never given much thought to the role your toilet plays in your daily comfort, you’re hardly alone. Many first-time buyers don’t realize that toilets account for nearly 30% of the average homes water use, per the EPA, and approach the purchase in terms of cost and style only. But there are several key things to consider beyond aesthetics and affordability when remodeling or upgrading a bathroom.
First off, you’ll want to choose a toilet that fits your space: In toilet lingo, a 12-inch “rough-in size” is standard, but some toilets require more space, so measure twice and avoid the hassle of buying an ill-fitting unit. To determine the rough-in size of your bathroom, measure the distance from the covered bolt on the side of your toilet to the wall behind it, making sure to include the thickness of your baseboard.
Better Flush Performance
You want a strong flush that clears the bowl: Some people prefer pressure-assist models, which are more powerful (and expensive) than toilets that rely on gravity, but the actual flush can be very loud.
Also, consider a toilet with dual-flush technology that allows you to choose between a partial or full flush which saves water.
Conserve With a WaterSense Toilet
You’ll also want to replace your old, possibly inefficient toilet (many of which use five to seven gallons of water per flush!) with one of the newer WaterSense models. These water-saving commodes do the same job with 1.6 gallons of water per flush, conserving roughly 13,000 gallons of water per year.
Go With a Built-In Bidet
One of the most popular features right now are toilets that include a slow-close bidet seat with front and back water nozzles for added cleanliness. Many of these bidet toilets also include a heated seat for more for comfort.
Stop Germs With a Touchless Flush Toilet
To help control the spread of germs in high-traffic bathrooms, check out the toilets with touchless flush technology. It's a dependable (and powerful) flushing system, that operates hands-free or with a push-button to enable a manual flush for uninterrupted operation.
Toilet Chair Height and Length for Added Comfort
A lower toilet chair height and elongated seat are more comfortable for elderly residents or anyone dealing with achy joints or mobility issues.
Kohler’s best-selling Highline Elongated Chair Height Toilet features a curved, chair-height seat, that's easy to setup and features a three-bolt, quick-connect installation. It also includes everything you need—from bowl and tank to seat, wax ring and hardware—to get your new toilet installed with ease.