Is it time to remodel your bathroom? Shopping for sinks, toilets, countertops and other long-term purchases usually means the restroom is getting an update. If you are building a new home, you might also be shopping for a new toilet and other fixtures. Have you thought about what size of toilet you are going to need or want?
How Tall Should a Toilet Be?
Toilet height makes a big difference in the long term. Taller toilets are especially helpful for people with limited mobility, and taller people find them more comfortable as well. This is considering the height of the top of the bowl of the toilet, not the top of the tank, of course. Tall toilets often come up to 16 or 17 inches off the ground, instead of 13 to 14 inches, like you might encounter with a standard or traditional toilet. Bowl height is a simple preference, but other choices need to be made more carefully, like the shape of the bowl.
Elongated Toilet Bowls vs Round Toilet Bowls
Toilets take up a lot of space when you take into account the plumbing necessary and the clearance people need to have to be able to use them comfortably. An elongated bowl will stick out much further, and require a matching shaped toilet seat. You may not be able to use an elongated toilet bowl because of the positioning of the door, tub, sink, or other important parts of the bathroom. If you really want an elongated toilet bowl, make sure the rest of your bathroom can accommodate it.
Are Elongated Toilet Bowls More Wasteful?
Regulations regarding water use have meant all new toilets are efficient toilets. The shape of the bowl has little to no effect on the water efficiency of the toilet, so don’t worry about that when weighing pros and cons. Homes with septic tanks won’t see any drawbacks or advantages either way, as long as the toilet uses water sparingly to flush. Try to find the most water-efficient toilet that fits your bathroom.
