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When it comes to toilet shopping, it's probably safe to say it isn't something you have been dreaming about for years prior. Therefore, it's unlikely that you have given it a lot of consideration. You may be surprised to discover that you have lots of choices to make, such as; what brand should I buy? What type should I buy? and how much should I pay?

The following is a brief overview of toilet brands, types, costs and other information.

BRANDS:

The American Standard toilet brand is the leading North American manufacturer of toilets. Their popularity lies in the fact that they have provided quality and innovation for over 130 years. They are award winning and are known for producing toilets which do not clog due to an innovative flushing mechanism which gives an instant powerful flush. Other popular brands to consider include Kohler which is known to be the global leader in performance, Toto and Eljer.

COST:

Typically toilets range in price from about $400 to over a $1000 if you are looking at special designs or luxury features.

TYPES:

Toliet bowls are typically made from porcelain that is constructed from vitreous china. This china is a combination of several clays, silica and a fluxing agent. The clay is fired then a waterproof coating is applied to ensure the bowl has strength and longevity. Toilets bowls can also be constructed from stainless steel.

Toilet seats can be made from stainless steel, wood, plastic or resin. Resin seats can have designs embedded in them.

Types of toilet seats:

-Standard-made from a lightweight plastic and set at a standard height.

-Raised toilet seat-for people who struggle to bend down there are toilets seats which sit higher. They are particularly good for elderly people with arthritis or joint problems and for people recovering from surgery.

-Padded seats-why sit on hard plastic when you can select a padded option?

-Heated seats-no more cringing on a cold winter morning if you get yourself one of these!

-Built in bidet seats-with s water nozzle built into the toilet seat.

The toilet's tank can be made from porcelain also, but they are frequently made from plastic. The other components that hold a toilet together are typically made from stainless steel, copper and rubber.

It is worth mentioning that you can purchase portable toilets for a variety of different uses. Depending on whether your requirements are short or longer term there are many different portable toilets that can be hired or purchased. You could have a full miniature bathroom delivered to a site, a fairly simple Porta-John or if you are on the go there are several camping toilet options available.

Do most modern toilets use less water?

Many years ago toilets used several gallons of water per flush. Today due to government regulations toilets must use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush. This has caused manufacturer's to come up with more innovative ways to make a powerful flushing action with far less water usage.

If you run into trouble should you fix your toilet yourself or call in a pro?

This really depends on your knowledge level and the problem. Generally toilets are pretty straightforward, made from a few simple components. This means if you are clever you can probably handle a fairly typical toilet repair like a minor leak or constantly running water. If however, your problem requires disconnection from the water source and removal of the wax seal you might like to call in a plumber.

There you have it, some valuable information on the humble toilet. Hopefully this informtion will assist you in choosing the best toilet for your needs.

Learn more about this author, Kimberley Heit.
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