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 Today’s toilets and bidets are designed to match the other products in the bathroom suite (family). This allows you to create a fully coordinated look for your bathroom. One in which the fixtures, faucets and accessories are truly matched in a complementary style and design.
Toilets
Toilets come is several different variations (for the same model):
Shape: Round front bowl or an elongated bowl.
Height: Standard height vs. comfort height ( ADA compliant)
Flush: Gravity flush vs. power/pressure flush vs. flush valve
Style One-piece or two-piece
Round front bowls are smaller (front to back) and generally less expensive than their elongated counterparts. They are used in smaller bathrooms, where space & price may be an issue. |
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| Elongated bowls are longer (front to back) by about 2-3 inches. This extra length makes elongated bowls more comfortable and a little roomier. If your bathroom has the additional space, the extra comfort of an elongated bowl is worth the few extra dollars that they may cost. |
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ADA Compliant Toilets.
Many residential designs are beginning to use ADA compliant model toilets. The tank is the same, but the bowl is 1-1/2” to 2” taller than the standard bowl. This makes the toilet height approximately the same height as a standard chair and provides for easier seating. In fact they are often referred to as “Comfort” height toilets. |
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| Two-piece toilets tend to be less expensive, are taller (27” to 30” high) and are often more traditionally styled |
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| One-piece Toilets are more expensive and have a lower profile (22” to 27” high) |
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Toilet Terms:
Trapway – The trapway is the snake-like tubing at the sides of your toilet which water flushes through. The better designed and larger the trapway, the less chance there is for clogs. A fully glazed trapway also helps prevent clogging by providing a smoother passageway.
Skirted – Enclosing the trapway with a smooth covering, allowing for easy cleaning and an elegant look. Also called a concealed trap
Elongated Bowl – The bowl has an oval shape and extended front rim to provide maximum comfort, and added style.
Round Bowl – A more traditional bowl, the round design is ideal for bathrooms with limited space.
Flush Valve – Located at the center of the tank, this valve is activated by the toilet’s flush handle and releases the water held in the tank. A larger flush valve increases the water flow rate through the toilet.
Gravity Flush system – This system uses nothing more than water weight to generate flushing pressure. This time-tested design is quiet, simple, and requires less maintenance than other more complex flushing systems.
Pressure Assisted Flush System – A pressurized air tank assists the toilet’s flushing process. This system can be noisy and more expensive.
All toilets today use a maximum 1.6 gallons per flush. Manufacturers have redesigned the flushing mechanisms, bowls, and trapways to ensure a proper flush. This has led to a new type of toilet design – the pressure assisted toilet. Standard toilets use a simple “gravity” flush. Pressure assisted toilets use the water pressure from your plumbing system to create a more forceful flush. |
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Trapways:
In order to flush efficiently with less water (1.6 gallons) manufacturers have worked on improving the flushing systems:
Bowl with largest possible water surface and siphon jets
Size of trapways: 1-3/4” to 2-1/8” (2” is the current “Standard”)
Glazing the trapways |
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Toilet Seats:
Most toilets do not come with a toilet seat , but do not despair – there are plenty of choices that will match the style (round or elongated), and color of the toilet design. Click here to view toilet seats.
Toilets that have proprietary shapes, usually come with the appropriate seat.
Materials
Toilet seats are either:
Wood (painted):
Less expensive
Color can peel over time
Can crack
Plastic:
More expensive
Color is solid all the way through
 Last much, much longer
Residential toilet seats are usually close with an attached matching cover. Other styles include:
Open Front with cover
Open Front less cover
Seats with grab bars
Other toilet options include:
Insulated tanks (help prevent the tank from “sweating”)
Tank levers in alternate finish options (to match faucet trim)
Water supply valve & supply line in decorative finish options (to match faucet trim)
10” Rough & 14” Rough for special installation needs |
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All commercial bathrooms have to have at least one toilet that is ADA compliant. These toilets have bowls that are taller (16-1/2” to 17”) than the standard toilet bowl (14-1/2”)
Commercial toilets can have standard tanks, or can use flush valves. They are often wall mounted: |
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Bidets:
Simple and comfortable to use, a bidet is a sit-down wash basin used for partial bathing. Historically popular in Europe , bidets are becoming a favorable addition to the home, not only for convenience, but also for water consumption.
Provide comfortable use
Easy to install
Aid in the relief of certain medical conditions
Offered in vertical and horizontal spray styles
Complement the styles and colors of matching toilets
Bidet Operation
The user sits astride the bowl facing the faucet to control the spray or fill the bowl with water.
Bidet Installation
Requiring as little as three feet of space, simply rough-in the bidet, install the faucet and connect the supplies. Bidets can easily be incorporated into the layout of today’s larger master bath suites.
Spray Options
Fresh water enters the fixture through a vertical spray in the center of the bowl, integral filler, or a special spout that delivers a horizontal stream.
Gentle Cleansing
The bidet's use of water provides convenient gentle cleansing for those with conditions such as hemorrhoids, rashes or incontinence. |
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Bidet faucets are sold separately and usually are selected to match the other bath faucets and accessories. If your bidet is over-the-rim, choose an over-the-rim faucet. If your bidet is a vertical spray, choose a vertical spray bidet faucet. They come in a variety of styles, finishes and lever styles.
Vertical spray faucets may require a vacuum breaker. Bidet faucets include a pop-up drain; the P-Trap is not included. |
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