Bowl Shape, Toilet Height and Style
Before purchasing a new toilet, measure the amount of bathroom space you have available and consider your bowl shape preferences.
The most important of these measurements is the distance between the floor drain and the wall, called the rough-in. The standard distance is 12 inches, but 10 or 14 inches are occasionally found in older homes. Determine the rough-in in your bathroom by measuring from the wall behind the toilet to the middle of the bolts on the base, and compare to your desired toilet’s dimensions.
Toilet Height
For standard-sized toilets, the rim is 14 to 15 inches off the ground. Toilets with a rim 16 1/2 inches off the ground are ADA-approved.
Style
- Tank and bowl are separate
• Most common type
• Generally more economical
• Easy to find replacement parts
- Tank and bowl fused together into a seamless unit
• May require larger upfront investment
• Save space
• No hard-to-clean crevices
• Creates a sleek, stylish look
- Mounts to wall and eliminates need for toilet foot or base
• May cost more to purchase and install
• Ideal for transfers from wheelchair or
walker
• Requires thicker wall for mounting
• Drain for toilet must be on wall rather
than floor
• Easy to clean underneath
Water Saving Toilets
Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home’s indoor water use. Regulations now limit toilets to no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.
Save up to $90 per year on your water and sewage bill with WaterSense® toilets. New flushing technology enables water conservation without sacrificing flush power, so it is recommended that you replace any toilets installed before 1994.
The Home Depot has developed its own Eco Options program to encourage Earth-friendly living and is a proud partner of the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® program which includes low-flow toilets that use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush.
FLUSH POWER
The Home Depot’s flush performance rating system assigns each toilet a numerical score based on the toilet’s ability to remove waste and resist clogging. You will see these scores displayed on product packaging and signs in the toilet aisle of your local store.
Higher ratings mean better waste removal and clog resistance.
TOILET Installation
The Home Depot offers full-service professional toilet installation, and also sells complete toilet kits if you choose to self-install.