A Complete Overview Of 23 Types Of Toilets
Imagine a toilet.
Although you may have just seen an image, it is unlikely that it will be the same one the next person who sees it. Although we think all toilets look the same, there are many different types of toilets that fit the definition.
This is why it matters. You could choose to use the same toilet you have always used if you’re in search of a new toilet. What if there is a better toilet out there?
It is worth looking at all options, as it is important to have a pleasant experience in the bathroom. We’ll be sharing our guide to alternative toilets.
This guide is divided into five categories to show the five ways toilets can differ from one another: design, shape, flush controls and bonus features.
Basic Types Of Toilets
The main purpose of a toilet is to dispose liquid and solid human waste quickly and safely. They have a few options for doing this.
1. 1.
Waterless toilets are able to remove waste from the environment by using a water pump or a septic tank. The most popular type of waterless toilet is the port-o-john. They contain a combination of chemicals that clean and disinfect waste.
A port-o-potty is unlikely to be your permanent solution in your home. The composting toilet is the most common permanent, waterless toilet. These toilets contain sawdust, or another bulking agent that can be mixed with human urine and stool to make them suitable for fertilizer.
Composted human waste, sometimes called nightsoil is used to grow crops. It’s still very popular with people who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
2. Toilet With Double Cyclone
Double-cyclone toilets can be a great choice if you are looking to save water, but not ready to poo in a pile made of sawdust. This new innovative design makes it possible to clean the bowl with two jet streams. It uses as little water as possible to keep the bowl full.
3. 3.
Pressure toilets are permanent bathrooms that are used daily by many people. The tank is flooded with water, which builds up pressure. For a fast and powerful flush, pull the handle.
Pressure toilets are able to move materials with such force that they rarely clog. You can also flush them quickly to clear the stall for next person. These toilets have a disadvantage: they make a loud, startling sound when flushing, and are much more costly to maintain.
4. 4.
We have finally reached the type you are most likely to be familiar with. Gravity toilets use levers and valves to move waste out and water in. These toilets are usually an extension of the municipal water system.
Gravity-fed toilets have the best reputation for being quiet, sanitary and easy to maintain. In their original form, however, they can still use a lot water.
5. Upflush Toilet
Upflush toilets are also known as macerating or composting toilets. They can be used in any area where it is not possible to access the plumbing system. Most toilets use gravity and air pressure to move waste to the compost pile or sewer system. Upflush toilets, however, first send the waste to an enclosed tank where it is shredded by the blades.
Once the waste has been cut down to a manageable size, the pump will send it through a line that connects to your home’s sewer. This pump is the most dangerous point of failure in macerating toilets and should not be used as the primary toilet for a family. It is best used to add a bathroom area in a basement or shed.
6.
Urinary
You can have a home urinal. They can be very cost-effective if you have lots of space in your bathroom and want to conserve water. You can have your urinal flushed waterlessly with fragrant disinfectants or a flush mechanism.
Toilet Shapes
Once you have decided on a core mechanism for your toilet, the next step is to decide what shape you want it to be. This will determine not only what you’ll be sitting on but also how easy it will be to clean and maintain your toilet.
7. One-Piece Toilet
These toilets have a single tank and bowl, so there are no gaps between them. You may still attach the seat via a hinge.
One-piece toilets are much simpler to set up. It’s easy to set up. Just place it in the correct spot, connect the tank, bowl and you are good to go. There are fewer places for dirt and grime. They are also heavier and more difficult to transport than two-piece toilets.
8. Two-Piece Toilet
These toilets are made up of a tank and a bowl that are connected by pipes. The bowl is placed on the floor. Mounting the tank to the bowl, wall or both is necessary.
Two-piece toilets are easier to construct and more affordable than single-piece ones. However, more pieces can lead to greater bulk and less space in your toilet. They are also more likely to collect dirt.
9. Wall-Mounted Toilet
Toilet bowls are being mounted on the bathroom walls and not to the floor, which is becoming more common.
These seemingly tankless commodes are great for anyone looking to conserve space or express a particular aesthetic.
These toilets don’t have a tank. The tank is concealed within the wall during construction or renovation. We recommend installing an access panel to allow you to get to the tank for maintenance.
10. 10.
How do you proceed after hiding the tank in the bathroom drywall? It’s time to remove it completely! Tankless toilets eliminate the need for a middleman and connect directly to the primary water source (either a greywater tank, or the city water main).
Tankless toilets are often used to save space. This makes them a popular choice for small houses and RVs. These toilets may require more water to flush.
Choices In Toilet Design
Toilets can have any number of small design options, aside from the dominant shapes described in the previous section. This section focuses on some of the smaller, but equally important, ways that you can personalize your commode.
11. Unconventional Tank Shapes
A standard toilet tank shape is a rectangular, squat-shaped rectangle with rounded corners. The long side faces out. However, this isn’t the best shape for all bathrooms. There are many options for toilets: triangular tanks that fit in corners, square tanks that match modernist aesthetics, and taller comfort tanks which are more comfortable to sit against.
12. Unconventional Bowl Shapes
Toilet bowls can be made in many different shapes and designs, just like tanks. Because they combine high water capacity and efficient space use, round bowls are most popular.
According to some, longer bowls will be more comfortable for adults’ rear ends. Although they are more comfortable, they require more water and don’t always clean well after flushing. If you are concerned about taking up too much space, they can also be sold in compact forms.
You can also find square bowls, however they aren’t as comfortable or efficient, nor are they easy to clean. They are just cool. We are not here to tell what you should do in your bathroom.
13. Colors Other Than White
Toilets are almost always kept white to hide any stains that may have developed. There are many places where you can find a bowl, tank or complete toilet in a different color. However, we recommend that you avoid brown.
14. Choose From A Variety Of Seat Options
It is important that you choose a toilet seat that will fit your bowl when choosing one. You have the option of a smaller seat to save space in your bathroom, or a longer one for more comfort.
There are many customization options available for your seat, beyond its shape. Soft-closed seats don’t slam down when you release them. Instead, they drift gently closed. Easy-to-remove soft-close seats can be removed for deep cleaning. For an added touch of luxury, you can get removable seat covers.
15. Trapway Choices
Your toilet’s trapway is an important, but often overlooked, part. The trapway is a curving pipe that separates your bowl from the drainage system. It traps unpleasant odors, hence the name.
This is another way to personalize your toilets. There are three options: you have the option of seeing the s-bend on its own, or skirting trapways in which the bend is hidden within a porcelain mount. Or, hiding trapways that hide the pipe.
Flushing Controls
It is long gone that the only way to flush the toilet was to turn the water on and pull the handle.
Modern flushing options are available to help you keep hygienic, conserve water, and just keep it simple.
16. Single Flush
This is the classic option. This is the traditional option. Single flush toilets only have one trigger, usually a handle or button. They flush in one direction and use the same amount water each time.
17. Dual Flush
Popularity of dual flush toilets is increasing, especially in public restrooms. These toilets can have two buttons or a handle that can go in both directions. Flushing up requires less water to remove liquid waste while flushing down requires more water to clean away solid waste.
18. Touchless Flush
It’s not fun to touch the toilet handle after you use it. It is possible to touch it with touchless flush technology.
These toilets flush using the same sensors as paper towel dispensers and touchless sinks. It will flush automatically if the user stands up. Other times, the toilet will activate when you wave your hand.
19. Flushometer
Flushometers can be used to flush tankless toilets connected directly to the water mains. You may be familiar with these flushing devices from public toilets. One of these might be useful if you have a tankless toilet, urinal, or other similar device in your home.
Bonus Features
Let’s talk about some of these bells and whistles that you can add for your toilet.
20. Squatting Platform
Research has shown that pooping in a squat is more beneficial than pooping in a sitting position.
You can put a platform on your toilet seat to make it easier for you to urinate.
21. Smart Toilet
The internet-of-things tsunami is not limited to toilets. Smart toilets, which are still expensive, can set the temperature of the seat to the desired temperature, determine how much water they require, and dry themselves with air dryers.
22. 22.
Anyone who has ever used one swears by them. A bidet, which is a standalone appliance that uses water instead of toilet paper is attached to a bowl.
23. Deodorizer
Deodorizers are now available for many toilets. They neutralize any unpleasant odours. There are no more awkward matches in the bathroom.
Featured Image: Martin Vorel, Libreshot
