Despite its prominent place in everyday life, few people give much thought to their toilet, but if you're overhauling your bathroom, it pays to consider the various styles and technologies available. In an age of increasing ecological awareness, there are also many options out there for homeowners who are looking to decrease their water usage and help conserve resources.
In broad terms, though, there are two main types of toilets: one-piece and two-piece toilets. A one-piece toilet is a unit in which the tank and the bowl are fused together in a single fixture, while the tank and bowl are separate in two-piece toilets. In most cases, two-piece toilets are less expensive and are therefore the most common type used in residential settings.
Gravity-flush and vacuum-assisted toilets are the two most common flush types you'll want to look into. A gravity-flush toilet relies on the laws of physics to force waste down a drain, which is usually S-shaped. Vacuum-assisted toilets introduce suction to the equation, and can quickly get rid of even the most difficult mess. However, they require considerable power to operate and tend to be more laborious to install.
In recent years, the low-flow toilet has really gained a lot of momentum and popularity. The low-flow toilet is a darling of ecologists and environmentalists, as it will offer every bit as much functionality as a regular toilet but use considerably less water. Considering the thousands and thousands of gallons of water you literally flush down the drain every year, you stand to save a considerable amount of money over the long term by installing a low-flush toilet, so if your bathroom fixtures are up for replacement, you should certainly consider this environmentally responsible alternative to traditional models.