A toilet is one of those few things we all can’t do without in a household. So when picking a new one for a new house or simply finding a replacement, there are so many things you take into consideration to make the best choice.
The size, the cost, the type of flush, and most importantly, the toilet height. The height of the toilet happens to be one of the most important things to take into consideration when selecting a toilet. I know it sounds like something to be easily ignored but the height of your toilet goes a long way in your toilet experience.
The main difference between both toilets is their height. They are both made similarly with the only major difference being the toilet bowl’s height. The difference in height is at least 2 inches and at most, 4 inches.
When deciding on the best choice to go for between the standard toilet and the comfort toilet, there are some things to take into consideration.
What is the difference in the toilet heights?
Before we jump right into anything, let’s discuss the difference between both the comfort toilet height and the standard height and what the fuss is all about.
Standard height
The standard height is a toilet with a basic height of 14 to 15 inches from the floor to the toilet seat. It is the most commonly used toilet by people especially those with little children around because of its height.
Comfort height
Comfort height toilet is a toilet with a slightly higher height of 17 to 19 inches from the floor to the toilet seat. It is the toilet height that meets the ADA standards and it is the best for taller and older people.
Specs on each toilet (round, oval, one or two-piece)
There are two major heights of toilets, and those heights also come in various styles based on designs, methods of installation, features, and size.
Size
The size of the toilet is also something to take into consideration asides from the height. It varies between oval, round, and elongated toilets.
Design
The toilet design also varies between one-piece and two-piece toilets. The one-piece toilet is one that has both the toilet tank and toilet bowl together while two-piece toilets have them separate.
Method of installation
There are two ways of installing toilets and that is being mounted on the floor or hung on the wall. The method of installation is one of the most important things to take into consideration when getting a toilet.
Features
There are several features of the toilet that are taken into consideration. The type of flush, be it dual or single. The way the toilet is closed, be it slammed toilet or slow closed.
Benefits of a comfortable height toilet
There are several benefits of having comfort height toilet in your household, some of the benefits include:
Comfortable for tall people
Just like the name implies, comfortable height toilets are comfortable for tall people and seniors. This is because the height makes it easy enough to sit on it and stand up without any complications whatsoever. You also wouldn’t need a toilet raiser to make use of it which if you ask me, is definitely a huge bonus.
Helpful for disabled people and old people
We are all aware of ADA standards. For those of us who aren’t aware, ADA which is the Americans with Disabilities Act has a standard for toilet heights. The height from the floor to the toilet bowl should be 17 to 19 inches. The ADA standards help people with disabilities access the toilet easier because it is high enough for them to sit easily. The height also makes it easy for them to stand up. Comfort height toilets are the only type of toilet that meets up with the ADA standards making it a huge benefit.
It is the best option for old people as well for the exact same reasons listed earlier.
Ease of use after a person has surgery
After getting certain surgeries, making use of the toilet can be an undesirable act. Women who recently had a cesarean section, people that had bowel surgeries, or anyone who had surgery that makes doing mundane things hard. After those surgeries, bending and standing is a huge discomfort but with a comfortable height toilet, it is much better. The toilet is high enough that you don’t have to bend all the way to be able to make use of it and standing would also be easy. It wouldn’t necessarily eliminate the discomfort but it would reduce it remarkably.
Benefits of a standard height toilet
Standard height also has a lot of benefits and here are the most common ones:
Best toilet for families with young children
At a certain age when the children are no longer making use of potties, they make use of the toilet. Since there are still kids, a standard height toilet is the most ideal choice for them. It is low enough for them to sit on it on their own. It also makes standing up easy since the toilet is low enough, there would be any risk of kids jumping down and injuring themselves.
Standard height toilet is best for children and varies based on the children’s age. For children between the age of 3 to 4, the standard height toilet should be between 11 to 12 inches tall. For children between the ages of 5 to 8, the toilet should be between 12 to 13 inches tall. And children between the age of 9 to 1w can use the standard height toilet of 14 to 15 inches.
Helpful for people suffering from constipation
Standard height toilet help with pooping and is best for people suffering from constipation. Since a standard height toilet is low, seating on it would make your knee elevated rather than perpendicular to your body. This elevation straightens out the place where your rectum and colon meet, making defecation easier. The position of your body also allows gravity to do most of the work rather than straining your muscles all the time.
Small spaces may require a smaller toilet
Another wonderful benefit of using a standard height toilet is that it doesn’t occupy too much space. This can come in handy when your bathroom size is very small. The bathroom size is one of the things that determines the type of toilet needed and since most bathrooms are small, only a small space is assigned to the toilet. Standard height toilet is small enough to fit into any allocated space making it a huge plus.
Shop around for the best toilet for your needs
Now that we are all aware of the benefits of both toilets, we can now move to the selection part. When selecting, there are things you need to look out for and do to be able to select the best fit.
Sit down and try it out to find your best fit
To choose the best fit, you might have to sit on the toilets to decide which one your body likes the most. Take into consideration how easy it is to get up and sit down. Don’t let logic get the best of you, let your body decide for you, after all, it would be the one using it the most.
Cost of each toilet
Another thing is the cost, you might want to pick a certain type of toilet but then your budget wouldn’t allow it. The price range for comfort height toilets ranges between $150 to $300. There are cheaper ones that are around $100 but they are of lesser quality.
Standard height toilets can be more expensive ranging between $220 to $400.
You can get the best brand of both toilets from Toto, American Standard, Drake, and Kohler.
Installation costs
The installation cost is also something to take into consideration. You can decide to install it on your own using DIYs or you can hire a professional plumber to do the job. The cost of installing a toilet ranges from $200 to $600. If you are installing it yourself then the price ranges between $99 to $450.
Hiring a plumber to do the job might cost more because of the labor and the extent of the job. For professional installations, the price range is usually about $210 to $680.
Family’s needs
Family is everything which is why they always have to be at the back of your mind for every household decision you make. If you leave alone, this doesn’t really apply but those who don’t should take into consideration the height, age, and state of every family member before choosing the perfect toilet.
Here is a table of a side-by-side comparison of both toilets, to help in your decision
| Properties. | Comfort height toilet. | Standard height toilet |
| Toilet Height | Comfort height toilet is about 17 to 19 inches high | Standard height is about 14 to 15 inches high |
| Advantages | It is ADA compliant.It is easier for tall, old and disabled people to make use of. | Best for children and short peopleIt helps prevent constipationA more natural position for using the toilet. |
| Disadvantages | It can cause constipationAffects blood circulation to the legs.Hard for children and short people to get on and get off. | |
| Cost | Comfort height toilets cost less and are about $150 to $300 depending on the brand you go for. | It is more expensive, ranging between $220 to $400. |
| Recommended places | It is highly recommended in sports centers for tall athletes, University dorms, ADA complaint places, etcetera. | It is recommended in children’s schools, hospitals, family houses, and places where its advantages would be used to their fullest potential. |
| Preference | The preference depends on what you are going for but based on the general preference, comfort height toilets are preferred less. | Standard height toilets are used more often and preferred more. |
No matter the toilet you choose there are ways to enhance the features of the toilet to the best qualities.
Add lighting for the night
Night lights in your toilet seat help in so many ways. Night trips to the toilet can sometimes be messy but with the help of night lights, you would never have such issues again.
The light serves as an easy directory at night when you need to use the toilet. It not only helps with night trips, but it also helps in keeping the toilet seat in place. It is quite cheap and ranges between $8 to $20.
Heat the seat
Heating your toilet seat goes a long way in ensuring your comfort. Heating your toilet seat prevents your system from being shocked when you eventually sit on it.
Imagine seating on a cold toilet seat and how much of an assault it is to your body, a heated toilet seat would fix that. It costs about $100 to $200 and you can get them anywhere.
Stop noise with a soft closing lid
You know that banging sound when your toilet lid drops, there are ways to stop it. All you need is a toilet seat bumper and there are several types available depending on the type of toilet lid you have. It costs about $6 on amazon.
Find the perfect fixture color
The color of your toilet adds an ascertain vibe to the bathroom. You can go for the basic white or try and explore by going for other colors like charcoal, blue, and the like. The cost of the toilet varies based on its color. Colored toilets range from $150 to #450 while white toilets cost the same amount as a normal toilet would.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.