Types of Toilets

If you think that choosing toilets (the fixture) is easy and all you need to choose from is color or design, then you are wrong.  There are different types of toilets to choose from depending on your need, taste and space – each type have different features that you should know before you head out to the store.  Otherwise, you’ll get confused and might pick one you’ll regret.

Dual Flush or Single Flush

You may have encountered them before – some feature buttons on top of the tank, half the button is for half flush and the other half full flush, others have standard levers that half flush at half crank and full flush at full crank.  This feature is meant to control water consumption, so you have the option to save up to 3 liters every time you flush as opposed to a single full flush that uses all the water in the tank even if you don’t need it.  

Water Rating or WELS

Did you know toilets have different water usage rating?  It all depends on how it is designed. Be sure that you check out the water rating badge before you make a decision, especially if you are running a huge household or a dormitory.  WELS means Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards scheme.  This scheme was established in Australia in 2005 where certain products are requires to be registered and labeled with a water efficiency information in accordance with the set standards under the WELS Act of 2005.  The lowest rating is 1 star up to a high rate of 6 stars.  The average water efficient toilets usually have the lowest rating of 4 to 5 stars.

One Piece, Two Piece or Wall Faced

The most common or popular toilet is the two piece toilet with its tank separate from the pan and the one piece toilet is self-explanatory.  The only difference between the two is that the one piece is easier to clean.  On the other hand, wall faced toilets are designed differently and are understandably more expensive. The Geberit In-Wall Cistern is the most popular mounted system that goes with a wall faced pan.  The cistern is installed inside the wall and preferably before the room is finished. 

Gravity Assisted or Pressure Assisted Flushing System

Gravity assisted toilets is the oldest and most common flushing system and it is understandably cheaper than the more modern pressure assisted flush system.  A pressure assist toilet cleans the bowl better than the gravity assist ones.  It forces everything from the tank into the bowl through the trap and down the sewer more efficiently and quickly.