Whether you're having a new house built or are just fixing up your current home, think about this. If you're like most folks, the toilet probably does not rate very high on your list of priorities. Still, the toilet is a key piece of a comfortable, modern, well-functioning home. Following a few easy steps can assist you in the choosing the perfect toilet. Remember, all toilets are not built the same!



Step by step now, let's examine:

1). The bowl shape: You can choose an elongated shape or a round one. The round style is shorter and fits for a smaller space. However, the elongated style gives you more comfort, since there is more open space in front.

2). The toilet size: You need to consider how long, wide and high the toilet is. To get a comfortable fit, make sure you measure the available space. You also need to consider the rough-in space, which is how far the center of the toilet bowl is from the finished wall, since this limits the size of the toilet.

3). The toilet trapway's size: The trap way is that part of the toilet that through which the water and waste exit. The smallest size available passes through waste of a 1.5 inch diameter. Larger trapways make it less likely that the toilet will get clogged.

4). The toilet's flushing mechanism: Due to water conservation laws, toilet tanks in the US hold 1.6 gallons of water. However, you do still have some choices. In gravity fed toilets, the weight of the water from the tank pushes the waste through an S shaped trap way, as the siphon that is created empties the bowl. With pressure assisted toilets, air in the tank is compressed as it fills with water. The extra pressure caused by compressed air helps the toilet to flush better. Disadvantages, though, include greater noise, expense and difficulty of repairing.

5). One or two piece toilets: Two piece toilets are more common and inexpensively priced, and have a separate tank and bowl which are connected when the toilet is installed. A one piece toilet connects five to six parts into one seamless looking piece. These have a bit more style to them (with a correspondingly more expensive price tag), and need less space and are easier to clean.

6). Ease of maintaining: Many better toilet designs include features to easily maintain them. From the inventive minds at Japan's Toto comes the easy to clean SanaGloss ceramic glaze which hinders buildup of mold and bacteria. Several toilet models from American Standard have the aptly named EasyClean feature. The designers at Kohler have come up with an insulated liner that prevents moisture from condensation on the toilet tank's outside.

7). Appearance: The toilet should work efficiently, but should also be a positive addition to your bathroom's look. Luckily, there are many choices available for styles, colors and sizes. Bear mind, though, that choosing a color other than white can significantly add to the toilet's price. If you want everything in your bathroom to match, you may want to consider buying a bathroom suite.

8). Other features: If you're willing to spend the money, you can get a fancy toilet with a built in bidet, heated seat or air drying system. Kohler makes the Comfort Height toilet with a higher seat for easier sitting and standing.

There, now you have 8 steps to finding the toilet that is right for you and your loved ones!