7 Tips for Buying a New Toilet

by Ray Dobson

It’s easy to get excited about designer sinks, clawfoot tubs, and steam showers when you’re redesigning your bathroom. Most contractors and homeowners pay a great deal of attention to these fixtures: their design can make a big difference in function, and extras can give your bathroom a feeling of luxury.

But even though it’s the most often-used fixture in the bathroom, most redesigners don’t give a lot of thought to one feature: the humble toilet. The one you choose can make a difference, however. Read on for seven things to consider when buying a new toilet.

One-piece vs. two-piece. Most toilets come in two different designs: the one-piece and the two-piece, or close-coupled toilet. Close-coupled toilets are the most common, and tend to be the cheaper type. These employ an attached but separate tank and bowl. One-piece toilets have a tank built into the back of the bowl. These tend to be easier to clean, because there’s no small gap between the tank and the bowl. However, they’re usually more expensive. One-piece models have a lower profile than close-coupled toilets, and some redesigners like the more compact profile.

Seat shape and size. Toilet bowls come in either round or elongated models. Elongated seats are generally about two inches longer, and provide a bit more surface area—making the toilet a bit more comfortable than the round variety. Round toilets are smaller, and better for tight spaces. If you have the space for it, however, you may appreciate the comfort of an elongated bowl.

The flush system. Most toilets operate on a gravity flush system. These rely on the pressure of water in the tank as well as the weight of the water in the bowl to force water and waste into the pipes. Old-fashioned toilets with wall-mounted tanks relied on the height of the tank to increase the head pressure. Gravity-flush toilets are the most common and least expensive type.

Pressure-assisted flushing mechanisms, however, are gaining in popularity. These incorporate a cylinder of pressurized air inside the toilet tank to provide force to the flushing mechanism. These types of toilets typically have a loud, forceful flush, and are often used in commercial bathrooms.

Some cutting-edge toilet manufacturers offer dual-flush toilets that can help you save water. These offer a “half flush” for liquid waste and a “full flush” for solid waste. This lets you adjust the amount of water you use for lighter or heavier loads.

The trapway. The trapway is the part of the toilet through which water and waste exit. The larger the trapway, the better. A larger trapway allows for better flushing action and less risk of clogs. In addition, when you’re in the store, be sure to ask if a toilet’s trapway is fully glazed. A fully glazed trapway has a smoother surface. It can improve flushing performance and make the bowl easier to clean.

Toilet height. Toilets come in many different sizes and heights. If there are any senior citizens living in your home, they may find a higher toilet to be more comfortable—they won’t have to lower themselves as far to sit down on it. If you have young children, you may want to consider a shorter toilet so they can access it more easily.

Attachment method. Whether you choose a floor-mounted or wall-mounted toilet will depend on the plumbing in your bathroom. The drain line in your bathroom is the pipe that takes the water and waste from your toilet bowl to the sewer or septic tank, and this can be either a floor-discharge or wall-discharge design. If you have a floor-discharge drain line, your toilet will need to be bolted to the floor. A wall-discharge drain line requires a wall-mounted toilet. You can find both gravity and pressure-assisted toilets in both designs.

Extra features. There are many extra features that can make a toilet more sanitary and luxurious. These include heated seats; motorized seats that lower automatically; ceramic glazes that make the toilet largely antibacterial; built-in bidet and drying features; insulation that prevents condensation on the outside of the bowl; and more.

The toilet may not be the most glamorous item in your bathroom, but it’s one of the most necessary. Take your time when choosing a toilet. Be sure to measure the distance between the wall and the drain line opening, if you have a floor-discharge drain line. With a wall-discharge drain line, measure the distance between the floor and the drain line. With these measurements, you can be sure to find the right toilet for your bathroom.

Raymond Dobson is the director for http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk. For more info on a wide range of toilets and bidets visit http://www.wdbathrooms.co.uk/acatalog/Bathroom_Toilets_and_bidets.html

Article Source: 7 Tips for Buying a New Toilet

Bidets: the Mystery Bathroom Fixture

by Carolyn Capalbo

Often just an object of shock and wonder in a North American bathroom, the bidet is slowly becoming a more accepted element in bathrooms outside of Europe and Asia. Hopefully this trend will continue to the point where prospective buyers are pleasantly surprised to see a bidet in a home instead of embarrassed or confused. The first step to acceptance is understanding, so let's see what this bidet thing is all about.

The biggest benefit to installing a bidet in your bathroom is cleanliness. Consider the bidet as a mini-shower for after you use the toilet as well as any time in between that you might need freshening up. However, in North America, the bidet has a sordid mystique, probably because the main focus of the fixture is to clean the genital region.

With the current trends to luxurious spa type master bathrooms, a bidet can fit right in with that high-end European hotel atmosphere. Consider one also if you're looking to make a house more accessible to residents or buyers who might be elderly or disabled. A bidet, particularly one that's built into a toilet, works well with the philosophy of universal design by helping anyone with less than optimal mobility to use the washroom on their own.

There are quite a few bidet options if you're looking to join the modern era of hygiene. There are two types of stand alone bidet, which is what most people imagine when they think of a bidet. The classic style of bidet is basically a low sink that resembles a seat-less toilet that is utilized by filling the bowl up and straddling it to wash. The more frequently seen French bidet is similar but instead of filling the bowl to wash, it has a spout that shoots water upwards. Either type can be used as a rinse or with soap.

If you don't have the space or the money to install a stand alone bidet, don't fret, there are options that you can incorporate to your existing space as well. There are a variety of bidet seats that you can install on your existing toilet that range from very simple and inexpensive to very fancy and pricey. There are Japanese versions of bidet seats, called washlets, that have an amazing array of extra options like warm air drying, music, fans, heated seats, and massage. Another option that's a little different is the hand held bidet. This basically is a spray nozzle that you plumb into your toilet's plumbing. It looks and works just like a sink sprayer you might have in your kitchen.

Europeans have been using bidets for over a hundred years but we have been very slow in picking up this hygienic habit. Any of the bidet types will improve your hygiene routine; just take the time to decide what options are most important to you before you make your decision.

Carolyn Capalbo is an expert military relocation specialist and real estate agent serving Northern Virginia real estate. Visit Just4Real.com to find updated market information about areas in Prince William, including Ashburn VA real estate.

Article Source: Bidets: the Mystery Bathroom Fixture

High Efficiency Toilets

by Anthony Edger

As every house is in need of at least one toilet, there is a huge variety in different types of toilets you can purchase. It is difficult to ignore conservation and sustainability needs in today’s marketplace. Nowadays consumers demand high
efficiency toilets and the manufacturers have progressed in many ways to offer efficiencies without sacrificing on the performance.

For example, let us consider the TOTO Toilets. These are high efficiency toilets, and the industry leader in conservation and performance that saves about 20% of water consumption per flush. TOTO Toilets exceeds the EPA standards for performance and water efficiency. Even while using 20% less water than a conventional toilet, the overall performance is not affected. The TOTO engineers have devised a way for harnessing the power of water and gravity in order to create a powerful GPF, thus maximizing its cleaning action. Water can be used efficiently for a better bowl and rim wash with the two nozzles and more water is directed towards the siphon for a powerful flush.

Using such high efficiency toilets saves a considerable amount of water each year. Toilets can be the highest source of water use in the house, and it is becoming more important to look for a high efficiency toilet. Customer service representatives from Beesondirect.com will help you in finding a better product for your house or business. You can ask your queries or mail your doubts regarding the toilet systems, and the customer service center will soon contact you. This is the easiest way to purchase a better toiletonline--with customized service to ensure the right product for your household.

There are different features and designs of toilets available that caters to the discriminating consumer. Now let us have a look on the Duravit’s well-designed wall mounted toilets and bidets. This is a contemporary and stylish type of toilet. They are available to you in a variety of color options that will suit your bathroom design. There are even a number of products that offer ADA height accessibility, including the traditional looking Eco Clayton or the Eco Nexus.

If you wish to experience comfort in your toilets, then you can also consider the Soiree Soft lose Toilet seat. This seat removes the toilet seat slam and gives you comfortable ergonomically-designed bumpers. Or, if you are in a continuous pursuit of a neat and clean bathroom, then the Washlet Toilets by TOTO use water cleaning and are refreshing with a reduced consumption of toilet paper.

Beeson Direct is not only limited in providing you with high efficiency toilets. It offers a complete line of bathroom accessories such as bidets, efficiency urinals, sinks, washbasins, and other products. Those who wish to experience ultimate peace and comfort in their bathroom can contact beesondirect.com anytime.

Anthony Edger is a renowned home decorator and architecture. He has complete number of projects which has been recognized by the people. He also provide interior decoration service through internet. You can ask for a free advice anytime.