Your bathroom is an important part of your business or home. It has to be durable and still look good. Replacing your old toilet can give you a better-looking bathroom. It can also give you new features you didn’t know were possible.
There are many ways to replace your old toilet. It can be overwhelming to choose from so many options. Modern or traditional? Push button or lever? Do you save water? Siphonic flushing or gravity flushing?
Let’s dive into one of the choices you’ll be faced with. Which is better a one-piece or a two-piece toilet?
A few decades ago, the only option on the market was the two-piece model. Many people grew up with this technology. Today, one-piece toilets have found their place in many domestic and commercial bathrooms.
Each side has its own pros and cons. Let’s look at both sides of the argument.
Let’s get the terminology straight to the point first
There are a few terms you should know about toilet construction.
- The base is the part that sits on the floor and holds the rest of the toilet.
- The bowl is the part that catches the waste and directs it to the sewer.
- The tank is the part that contains water for rinsing.
With a two-part toilet, a separate tank is screwed onto the base. With a one-piece toilet, all components form a single unit. There are no fasteners holding the tank and the bowl together.
What is the difference between a one-piece and a two-piece toilet?
Price
Cost is one of the biggest differences between a one-piece toilet and a two-piece toilet. A one-piece toilet costs more than a two-piece, even from the same manufacturer.
It costs more to make a one-piece toilet. Putting all the pieces together and firing them simultaneously requires skill and precision. Also, one-piece toilets are less common than the two-piece variant. For these reasons, manufacturers often charge a premium price.
The good news is that one-piece toilets are gaining more and more market share. The prices of manufacturers have fallen every year.
Height And Weight
A one-piece toilet looks smaller than a two-piece one. The tank is often smaller and fits into the base so it doesn’t take up as much space. And the width of the tank is usually smaller than the two-piece tank.
Generally, the two-piece toilet is heavier in weight than the one-piece. A one-piece toilet weighs between 70 and 45 kg. A two-piece weigh between 88 and 54 kg. The reason why the two-piece toilet is heavier is the structure required to hold the tank and base together adds a lot of weight.
Appearance
One-piece toilets are popular because of their compact design. However, Joy & Fortune manufacturers offer both traditional and contemporary designs for both types.
In addition, Both styles are available in a variety of colors.
Installation
Installing a one-piece toilet is easier than installing a two-piece. Just attach the base to the ground and connect the water supply.
However, for a two-piece model, you must assemble the base on the floor. Then place the gasket between the tank and the base. Then lift the tank onto the pedestal behind the bowl. You install and tighten screws that hold the two pieces together. Finished them, the water supply just can be connected.
Installing both types of toilets is usually within the skills of a typical home handyman. Exceptions apply to wall-hung toilets. Why? Because it requires additional bracing and installation of the tank in the wall. This is a job that should be left to the professionals.
Cleaning And Maintenance
The one-piece toilet is easier to keep clean than the two-piece one. There are few places for bacteria to invade and grow.
A major weak point of a two-piece toilet is the connection between the tank and base. If the seal ruptures, water could leak anywhere. With a one-piece suit, this is not a problem as there is no connection or seal.
However, it is much cheaper to swap out parts on a two-piece toilet than on a one-piece unit. If the bowl or tank of two-piece breaks, you can purchase a replacement. You must replace the entire unit when a one-piece toilet fails.
Durability
Both one-piece and two-piece dressers offer the same quality and durability. These factors often have more to do with the manufacturing process than the style of the toilet.
Operation
A one-piece toilet works the same as a two-piece unit. Push the button or pull the lever to flush. The water is pushed out of the tank into the bowl. It picks up the waste and throws it down the drain.
Water Efficiency
Both one-piece and two-piece units offer different levels of water efficiency. Both have options WaterSense certified by the EPA.
Shipping
Shipping costs are something you need to consider when choosing a toilet. A one-piece toilet is usually heavier, so shipping costs will be higher. Freight carriers typically charge less for two-piece items than for one-piece ones.
When you are looking at toilets, look for a manufacturer or retailer that offers free shipping. It will be easier to find the toilet you want. High shipping costs don’t mean you have to settle for a cheaper one.
