by Jim Brady

Created on: October 09, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Cooks and couch potatoes may disagree, but the most important room in any home may be the bathroom, and its centerpiece is the toilet. Whether you're remodeling, in need of repair, or buying new, it's wise to be careful when deciding on a toilet for your home.

Among today's most popular brands are the Kohler toilet and the American Standard toilet, whose constant innovations have led to quieter, more attractive, more efficient and more economical products.

Make a visit to any home improvement or plumbing supply store and you'll find that the simple white porcelain toilet has lots of competition for a place in today's bathroom. In addition to various colors, heights and flushing systems, there is a toilet for every budget, too. Prices for toilet bowls can range from $60 to $500, depending on how well it suits the bathroom's size and decor. Portable toilets, for the bedridden and immobile, are also available from hospital supply stores, for $40 to $150.

The most reliable toilet bowls and tanks, whether they are two separate units or attached, are made of vitreous china, a very hard material that is resistant to acids. This allows them to endure the daily flow of household water systems and to be cleaned more easily. You can choose from round or elongated bowl sizes and there are also a number of flushing systems to choose. Pressure-assisted toilets flush the best, using compressed air in the tank for power, while gravity and vacuum-type models use less water pressure, but are quieter in operation, and dual-flush technology uses the least water, but is also the least effective with all types of waste.

The next consideration is the toilet seat. They also come in a variety of sizes, colors and materials for all decors and comfort levels. There are even raised toilet seats to accommodate those who have limited mobility. Toilet seats range in price from about $15 for a standard plastic seat to over $100 for specialty and wooden seats.

Installing a toilet tank and seat is not a complicated process, but it will involve handling the toilet and tank, which depending on the size can weigh anywhere from 40 to 100 pounds, turning the water source for the tank on and off and attaching the toilet to the water source, and step-by-step instructions are found on many home improvement and do-it-yourself websites. For those not so inclined, a licensed plumber should be consulted.

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