Types of Toilets and How to Choose One

Swiss Madison toilets are made of strong, durable ceramic and are available in an array of styles, designs, and colors. When purchasing a toilet, the most important things to consider are the rough-in size and installation type. We want to make sure that you pick the perfect toilet to complete your bathroom, so here are some important details on our products that will help you make the right choice.

Types of Toilets:

  • One-Piece Toilet

    One-piece toilets are molded with the tank and bowl connected as a single, solid piece. Their seamless design allows for easy cleaning. One-piece toilets are moderately difficult to install as they can be a bit heavier and bulkier to move.

  • Two-Piece Toilet

    Two-piece toilets are the most commonly used toilets in the US. They are molded with the tank and bowl as two different parts, which are assembled together during installation. This toilet style is the easiest to install as it is easier to maneuver two separate pieces.

  • Wall-Hung Toilet

    Wall-hung toilets offer a contemporary look by having the toilet mounted directly to the wall. The carriers for these toilets are placed inside the respective mounting wall, so they use less space than a traditional one or two-piece toilet. These toilets are more difficult to install as it requires installing the in-wall carrier before the toilet can be mounted and used.

  • Back-to-Wall Toilet

    Back-to-wall toilets are fit directly against the wall with its respective carrier installed inside. These toilets rest on the ground, similar to a one piece and two-piece model, and have a hidden carrier much like a wall-hung model. This allows back-to-wall toilets to provide the sturdy feel of a traditional toilet while using a similar amount of space as a wall-hung toilet. This toilet installation is more difficult as it requires installing the in-wall carrier before the toilet can be mounted and used.

  • Tankless Toilet

    Tankless toilets are installed against the wall, similar to traditional one piece and two piece toilets. The difference is that this style toilet does not need a tank, which gives the toilet a sleek appearance. This toilet style is moderately difficult to install.

  • Integrated Tank Toilet

    Integrated tank toilets feature a fully concealed tank within a smooth, one-piece silhouette for a clean, modern aesthetic. With no exposed components, this design enhances visual appeal while making cleaning easier. Often paired with advanced smart features, integrated tank toilets deliver a refined, high-end look while installing like a standard floor-mounted toilet.

Toilet Basics

There are a number of things to consider when deciding on which toilet is perfect for your home.

Rough-In Size

The rough-in size is the measurement from the wall behind the toilet to the center of the drainpipe, where the bolts will attach the toilet to the floor. This measurement is crucial as it will ensure that the toilet will fit properly and can be installed correctly. The standard rough-in size is 12 inches, although some homes may have rough-in sizes of 10 or 14 inches. If you are removing an existing toilet, the rough-in size should be the same as the toilet being replaced.

Toilet Footprint

The toilet footprint is the measure of the area where the outline of the toilet meets the floor. This will vary from toilet to toilet as the sizes and shapes of all toilets are different. To find your toilet footprint, measure the size on the base of the toilet you are replacing. The footprint of the new toilet should be equal to or greater than the size of the old one.

Outlet Type

The outlet type of your toilet is important because it determines where the waste travels after flushing. Some bathrooms are designed for toilets with bottom or floor outlets, while others may need a toilet with a wall outlet.

Comfortability

No one wants to purchase a toilet that they do not feel comfortable using. When purchasing a new toilet, it is important to research and test what bowl shape and height is the best for you. Swiss Madison offers toilets with elongated, round and square bowl shapes.

Design

Swiss Madison offers a wide array of different styles and colors to tie your entire bathroom together. One design feature to consider is whether a toilet is skirted or non-skirted. A skirted toilet, also known as a concealed trapway toilet, has a design that covers the trapway and all the curves on the toilet bowl. This skirt gives the toilet a cleaner look and makes it easier to clean. A non-skirted toilet leaves the trapway with all the curves exposed.

All About Flushes

Flush Types

Single Flush- Single flush toilets have only one flush option, meaning that the same amount of water is used every time the toilet is flushed.

Dual Flush- Dual flush toilets have two flushing options, which allows you to reduce the amount of water used based on the type of waste. Liquid waste is used via a half flush, while solid waste is removed via a full flush.

Flushing Mechanism

Handle- Swiss Madison toilets offer four different locations for toilet flushing mechanisms. For single flush toilets, handles are offered on the left, right, and front side of the toilet.

Flush Button- For dual flush toilets, flush buttons are offered on the top of the toilet.

Flush Plate- A flush plate is typically used for back-to-wall and wall mounted toilet styles.

Flushing Technology

Swiss Madison offers 4 different kinds of flush technology on our toilets:

Elite™ Flush Technology- Uses significantly less water than standard toilets while maintaining consistent flushing power with patented vacuum technology.

Gravity Flush Technology- Uses gravity alone to push water and waste from the toilet with no mechanical assistance. When the toilet is flushed, the flush valve lifts, causing water to leave the tank and flow into the bowl.

Siphonic Flush Technology- Designed to have the trapway act as a vacuum to pull out waste from the toilet when it is flushed.

Vortex™ Flush Technology- Provides a powerful flush by using dual nozzles to produce a whirlpool effect. The result is your toilet bowl stays cleaner than one with standard rim holes.

Toilet Features

Swiss Madison offers a wide range of different features on our toilets.

Built-In Bidet

Some of our toilets include built-in bidets. A bidet is a great feature to have as they are hygienic, can limit germ spread, and can be helpful for homes with septic tanks. We offer toilet models with built-in bidets for those who do not want to purchase an extra bidet unit.

Touchless Flush

Our touchless flush toilets allow you to flush with a simple wave of a hand. The flush will adjust to be either a half flush or a full flush based on the direction of the hand movement.

Quick-Release Seat

Our quick-release seat technology removes the toilet seat with the push of a button. This allows for easy installation and cleaning of the toilet and seat.

Soft-Close Seat

Our soft-close toilet seats close slowly and quietly with no loud bang or slam.

Helpful Tips

1. Always make sure the water supply line is shut off prior to replacing a toilet. Once the water supply line is shut, flush the toilet to remove any remaining water from the tank and bowl.
2. Keep a bucket and rag handy when replacing a toilet. Even when the water supply line is shut and the toilet is flushed to clear water from the tank, it is possible some water may still be present.
3. Use a large sponge to soak up and absorb any possible water remaining in the tank. It is recommended to wear thick work gloves while doing this as to avoid coming into contact with any potential bacteria.
4. It can be difficult to loosen and remove the water supply line from the existing toilet. An adjustable wrench can help to loosen these stubborn nuts and make this process easier. Make sure to remove bolt covers if necessary and use a wrench to remove the nuts that attach the toilet to the floor.
5. If there is caulking along the bottom edge of the toilet, use a knife to carefully cut along the caulk line prior to removal. Be sure to lift carefully and obtain assistance if it is too heavy for one person to lift.
6. Use a knife and a rag to remove the wax seal and any other debris from the toilet flange, then remove the bolts from the flange. Once this is done, ball up and place an old cloth or rag and insert it into the open floor to prevent unpleasant odors from entering your bathroom.
7. When inverting a toilet to install a new wax ring around the flange, make sure to place it down on a towel or moving blanket to prevent any potential damage. Always obtain assistance if the toilet is too heavy for one person to move.
8. When connecting the water supply line to the new toilet, plumber’s tape can be wrapped around the threads on the toilet to act as a sealant and lubricant for the line. Use a wrench to ensure the connections are snug.
9. If there is a visible gap between the bottom of the toilet and the floor, use 100% silicone caulk to fill in the faps along the front and sides of the toilet. The back of the toilet should not be caulked for water to escape in case of a leak.