Choosing a Toilet You’ll Actually Love — Yes, That’s Possible

A Practical Buying Guide: One-Piece vs. Two-Piece, Height, Flush, and More

Most people never give much thought to their toilet — until they realize how much comfort, convenience, and even independence it can add to daily life. Whether you’re replacing an outdated fixture or upgrading during a remodel, there are more factors to consider than most homeowners expect.

And one of the biggest? Aging in place.

Our baby boomers are now in their 60s to 80s, and Generation X — Warren and I included — are stepping into our 50s. Comfort, safety, and accessibility are becoming top priorities in home design — and that includes the bathroom. Choosing a toilet that’s easy to clean, easy to use, and appropriate for future mobility can make a lasting difference.

This guide walks through the main features worth considering, offers real-world examples (because yes — we all sit there), and helps you find the model that fits your lifestyle best.

One-Piece vs. Two-Piece Toilets

This is one of the first choices you’ll make, and it often comes down to cleaning, appearance, and budget.

One-Piece Toilets

• Easier to clean — no seam between tank and bowl for grime to collect.

• Sleek, modern look that blends seamlessly into the bathroom.

• Fewer parts mean fewer potential leaks.

• Slightly heavier and usually more expensive than two-piece options.

Two-Piece Toilets

• Easier to transport and install in tight spaces.

• Usually more affordable and widely available.

• Easier to replace parts separately if needed.

• Slightly more areas for dirt to hide where the tank and bowl connect.

McCray Tip: If you’re looking for a toilet that’s simple to clean and stylish, a one-piece model might be the way to go. But if you’re on a budget or need flexibility, a two-piece still gets the job done just fine.

Elongated vs. Round Bowls

To the average homeowner, “bowl shape” doesn’t seem like a big deal — until space or comfort becomes an issue.

Elongated toilets are often preferred for comfort, while round bowls take up less room. But space can dictate your decision more than comfort sometimes.

For example, in our son’s home, the bathroom door opens toward the toilet. With an elongated bowl, the door wouldn’t clear — meaning it couldn’t open fully or safely. In that space, a round bowl was the only practical choice.

So if your bathroom has tight door clearances, narrow spaces, or multi-use access (like a door leading to a pool or garage), a round toilet might be the right fit. Otherwise, go elongated for comfort.

A Quick Bit of Toilet Trivia

Round toilets were the standard for decades because they were easier to manufacture and fit better in the smaller bathrooms common in mid-century homes. As designs evolved, manufacturers introduced elongated bowls to improve comfort and reduce splashback. The longer shape provides a little extra seating area and better bowl geometry for efficient flushing. These days, elongated toilets are considered the modern standard in most new homes, while round bowls remain a space-saving choice for tighter layouts.

Toilet Height: Standard vs. Comfort (ADA) Height

This is one of those things you don’t think about — until your knees tell you to.

Standard toilets sit around 14 to 15½ inches from floor to rim. Comfort or ADA-compliant toilets are around 17 to 19 inches, closer to chair height.

A few extra inches might not sound like much, but it can make a huge difference in comfort, especially for older adults or anyone recovering from surgery.

After a major surgery, using a toilet-seat riser for an extended period can feel like a lifesaver — and once it’s gone, a standard-height toilet can suddenly feel far too low. If you want a toilet that’s easier on the knees and hips — or you plan to stay in your home long-term — consider going with an ADA or comfort-height model from the start.

Flush Performance, Water Efficiency, and Power Flush Systems

Let’s be honest — nobody likes a toilet that can’t finish the job.

Since California adopted low-flow standards, many homeowners have complained about weak flushes and frequent double-flushing. Not all low-flow toilets are created equal, though.

When we moved into our current home, it already had a power-flush toilet — and we loved it. Yes, it’s a little louder, but that strong whoosh gives confidence. There’s no walking away and coming back to find something floating again.

Here are the main types you’ll see today:

• Standard gravity flush – Reliable, quieter, and uses gravity to move waste.

• Power or pressure-assisted flush – Uses pressurized air or water for extra force; louder but highly effective.

• Dual flush – Two buttons for liquid and solid waste, saving water when possible.

• High-efficiency (HET) – Uses 1.28 gallons or less per flush but still gets great results when well-designed.

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A well-designed flush system, like TOTO’s E-Max, offers strong performance and water efficiency without sacrificing reliability. But as we’ll discuss later, no single toilet has everything — so you’ll need to decide which features matter most.

Fit and Installation Basics

For most homes in our area, the standard rough-in is 12 inches — that’s the distance from the wall to the center of the toilet flange.

Based on our experience serving the greater West Sacramento area since 2017, about 98 % of the toilets we’ve installed have had a 12-inch rough-in. Finding anything different is very rare — maybe once or twice in nearly a decade of work.

So while rough-in is important to plumbers, most homeowners don’t need to stress about it. If there’s an exception, your installer will identify it when the old toilet is removed.

When planning your install, the bigger considerations are:

• Does your space allow for an elongated bowl?

• Do you prefer a comfort-height seat?

• Do you want a one-piece for easy cleaning, or a two-piece for affordability?

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Everything else — flange depth, trapway size, valve type — is our job to handle for you.

Our Favorite Toilets to Recommend and Install

We’ve installed hundreds of toilets over the years, and while no model has everything, these are two of our favorites — dependable, efficient, and homeowner-approved.

If you’re looking for something specific, here’s what we recommend:

If Ease of Cleaning Is Your Priority

Go with the TOTO Eco UltraMax One-Piece Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet (Model MS854114E#01).This model combines a sleek one-piece design for easy cleaning with TOTO’s powerful E-Max flush system, giving you that confident, strong flush every time.It’s not ADA height, so if comfort height isn’t a concern, this toilet gives you the best of both worlds — clean lines, reliable performance, and dependable power.

If Comfort Height Is Your Priority

Consider the Kohler Elliston Tall Elongated Two-Piece Toilet (Model 43202-0).This chair-height design makes sitting and standing noticeably easier, making it an excellent option for aging in place or anyone who values knee and back comfort.

The Elliston’s Revolution 360® flushing system creates a powerful swirling motion that helps clean the bowl with every flush, while its 1.28 GPF WaterSense® rating delivers dependable performance with efficient water use.A soft-close seat prevents slamming and adds a quiet, modern touch.

Do note that because this is a taller toilet, it may feel high for shorter users or for homes with small children. Otherwise, it’s an ideal choice for comfort, efficiency, and long-term accessibility.\

Final Thoughts on Choosing a Toilet

Toilets may not be the most exciting part of your home, but they’re one of the most used — and most important — fixtures. Choosing the right one can mean years of comfort, cleaner bathrooms, and fewer headaches down the line.

If you’re not sure what’s best for your home, the McCray & Sons team is always happy to help you weigh your options and find the right fit.

After all, we’ve learned over the years: a great toilet isn’t just plumbing — it’s peace of mind.

About McCray & Sons Home Services

Family-owned and operated in West Sacramento, McCray & Sons Home Services has been proudly serving local homeowners since 2017. Licensed in both general contracting and plumbing, our team specializes in everything from fixture upgrades to full bathroom remodels — with the attention to detail only a family business can bring.

🛠️ Ready to schedule your toilet installation?You can easily book online through our website — just visit www.mccrayshomeservices.com, click “Book an Appointment” in the top right corner, and select the options for Toilet Installation service.

Whether you’d like to provide your own toilet or prefer to have McCray & Sons supply and install one for you, we offer complete solutions to fit your needs. We regularly install top-quality models, including TOTO and Kohler, and can also accommodate any other brand or model you choose.

Prefer to talk it through first? No problem! You can always call or text us at (916) 258-1290 — we’ll be happy to help you get started and find the option that’s right for your home.