Chair Height Vs. Comfort Height Toilet: What's the Difference?

Doing a bathroom remodel project can be satisfying. However, some decisions can get confusing for homeowners, such as toilets. There are so many variations, brands, styles and sizes that it is easy to get confused. One of the most confusing is the difference between chair height and comfort height toilets.

Chair height and comfort height refer to the measurement of a toilet from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. Chair height and comfort height toilets typically measure over seventeen inches from the floor to the top of the toilet seat. Comfort Height is a registered trademark of the Kohler fixture company. Toilets rarely exceed a seat height of nineteen inches.

Understanding the terms and parts of a toilet may not seem like a very glamorous exercise. However, before you start planning your new bathroom, a little knowledge may help you make better decisions. Toilets are amazingly complex fixtures that we often take for granted. Learn more about what is behind that flush before you push the handle.

We use them every day without a second thought. We are accustomed to luxuries unavailable in many parts of the world in the US. Our sanitary sewer systems are marvels of technology and engineering. Our interface is the ubiquitous porcelain toilet in our bathrooms.

For the most part, toilets perform their functions quietly and efficiently. Many of us never consider what goes into designing a toilet that is both functional and comfortable. There is, in fact, a lot of engineering and science behind the common residential toilet.

Standard height toilets are typically the default installed by plumbers, contractors, and home builders. Overall, standard height toilets tend to be less expensive than chair height or comfort height toilets.

Research shows that a shorter toilet may be better for health reasons. Studies show that having your hips positioned slightly below your knees is a more efficient position. A shorter toilet can help prevent constipation. Some studies show that bowel cleansing is more efficient and effective as well.

The modern flush toilet was invented in the 19th century. Toilet seat heights remained almost consistently between fourteen and fifteen inches much later in the toilet development timeline. However, as the population in the United States average height has grown, One hundred years ago, the average American male was about five foot seven inches tall. Today, the average is closer to five foot ten inches.

To be considered a chair-height toilet, the seat must be seventeen and nineteen inches from the floor. A three to four-inch height difference from a standard toilet doesn’t seem like much. However, most people can tell the difference immediately. As the population grows taller, the popularity of chair height toilets seems to increase.

If you consider installing a chair heigh toilet, there are some disadvantages and advantages that may influence your decision:

As the name suggests, elongated toilet bowls have a more pronounced oval shape from front to back. Historically, all toilets had a round bowl. Over time, the elongated bowl shape was introduced and became more and more popular. Today, the majority of toilets installed in residential applications have elongated bowls.

For the most part, the choice of elongated over round bowls is a personal preference. However, some bathrooms may have space limitations that require a different choice of bowl shape. There are some pros and cons associated with elongated toilets than can affectt your decision.

The hybrid-style toilets are a rather recent addition to the market. These compact elongated toilets incorporate a more oval shape than a round toilet bowl and require less space in the bathroom. Some manufacturers claim that their compact elongated toilets require ten percent less space than a standard elongated toilet.

Compact elongated bowl toilets are a compromise. Many people find this toilet style less comfortable and less visually appealing than an elongated toilet. Space savings can be a significant factor when making a decision. You must consider the compromise between comfort and appeal when making your toilet decision.

When considering a compact elongated bowl toilet, keep these factors in mind.

From its inception, most toilets were made with a round bowl. This slowly began to change as more research was done and feedback from toilet users began to gather. Still, round bowl toilets remain popular for various reasons.

There isn’t a lot of difference between round bowl and elongated bowl toilets. The 2” difference from front to back of the bowl doesn’t sound like much. However, in spaces that are smaller or have obstructions such as doors, that two inches can make a tremendous difference.

There are other considerations that should be taken into account when making a decision between round bowl toilets and those with elongated bowls. These are some of the things you need to think about.