Toilet Buying Guide
Tired of your old, leaky, water-guzzling toilet? If you’re in the market for a new one, there are a lot of options to consider.
Bowl Height:
The distance from the floor to the top of the toilet bowl rim makes a big difference. The trend is to buy taller 16-18” ADA compliant or “comfort height” toilets. Other options include the standard 14-15” height and a low 10-14” child height.
One or Two-Pieces:
Two-piece toilets have separate tank pieces and bowl pieces. Although they are most common and less expensive, they are more difficult to clean. One-Piece toilets are smooth and easy to clean, but come with a higher price and are quite heavy. While we’re talking about easy-to-clean toilets, think about purchasing a “skirted” one which has an easy-to-clean smooth base instead of the usual visible squiggly pipe which can collect dust and grime. Below is an image of a one-piece skirted toilet.
Color:
We suggest sticking to a white or off-white toilet so you can find replacement parts easily, and your toilet will stay in style for years to come.
Flush Handle:
Most toilets place the flush-handle on the left side of the tank. If your toilet will be up against a wall, make sure there is enough room to reach the flush handle. If this could be an issue, purchase a toilet with the handle on the opposite side or on the top of the tank.
Rough-In:
Make sure to measure the distance from the wall to the flange bolts on the base. Commonly, toilets are twelve inches, but they can vary. If you purchase a toilet with a larger rough-in distance than your previous toilet, you might have problems.
Bowl Shape:
Elongated bowls are replacing round bowls in most homes. They are much more comfortable and hygienic for adult use. Yet, elongated bowls can be problematic in small bathrooms. The extra length can get in the way of cabinet drawers and doors. If you are considering replacing your round toilet, make sure you have at least two inches of extra room at the front of the bowl to spare.
Toilet Seat:
Most toilets do not come with a toilet seat because there are too many options available! The most important feature to focus on is whether you need an elongated or round seat depending on the bowl shape. After that, the options are endless. Choose a traditional seat, slow close, night lighted, heated, potty seat, or washlet! Each option comes with benefits depending on your preferences.
Efficiency:
Most new toilets come with an energy-efficient rating. The old toilet you are replacing can flush up to 5 gallons with each use. Modern, efficient toilets use as little as 1.28 gallons, saving you hundreds of gallons of water and saving on your water bill each year.
While you’re at the store…
You will also need a few items for installation. A new wax seal, new water supply line, and some tools to put it together – an open-ended wrench, screwdriver, rag, gloves, and a garbage bag.
Updated April 2019
9 Bathroom Trends for 2019
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Gold Faucet Finishes: Unlike the polished brass of the 1980s, the brushed gold that is emerging in the remodeling industry is sleek and modern. The bright color brings warmth into your bathroom.
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Integrated Technology: More and more technology is being integrated into bathrooms. From Bluetooth showers and motion-sensor faucets to lighted mirrors and humidity-sensing bath fans, these inventions are making it easier for you to get on with your day!
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Colorful Vanity Colors: Classic bathrooms are always on trend. However, adding a pop of color can brighten up the room. Choose a vanity in bold blue or sage green to stand out among the rest.
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Black Fixtures: Black faucets are everywhere in 2019. Their dark contrast makes them stand out in a light-colored bathroom. They look great with natural stone vanity tops.
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Spa-Like Designs: Self-care has become a real focus in the last few years. By remodeling your bathroom to include a few spa-like features like a soaker tub, a steam shower, and earthy tones, you might just start your day off a bit less stressed than you used to be.
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Statement Mirrors: Decor is the easiest thing to change in a bathroom. By hanging a unique mirror in your bathroom, you can create a bit of whimsy – especially in powder rooms where there isn’t need for extra storage.
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Clean Lines: Eliminate the ornate filigree with modern no-nonsense fixtures. Minimalist designs make cleaning easier and the lack of clutter can leave you less stressed.
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Frameless Shower Doors: The modern look of a frameless door is a great addition to any bathroom. Make your bathroom appear larger without the bulk of metal frames encroaching on your shower. Plus, these frameless doors leave you with less hardware to clean.
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Single Handle Post-Mount Faucets: These faucets are so user-friendly, they are really the only way to go. It is much easier to control the water temperature since only one hand is necessary for adjustments. Also, eliminate extra time spent cleaning. Just wipe down the spout and handle and get on with your day! It’s a beautiful, clean, and modern look.
Washlet Seats Vs. Bidets
The Difference:
How it Works:
The Benefits:
- Cleanliness – Immediately after using a washlet or bidet you feel incredibly clean. Liken it to cleaning your countertops with a dry towel compared to a damp towel. The wet towel will always pick up more debris than the dry one.
- Hygiene – Rather than using toilet paper and spreading germs and bacteria, your hands are still clean after using the bidet. Most infectious diseases are spread by human contact, so the hands-free functionality of a bidet makes it a much more hygienic alternative.
- Better for pipes – On average, Americans use 50 pounds of toilet paper each year. This toilet paper clogs pipes and wreaks havoc on septic systems and city sewers. With a bidet, you can reduce your toilet paper usage to practically nothing.
- Asists elderly users – With a washlet, your older adult won’t have to bend and twist to wipe their behind. It will do the cleanup and they’ll just need to pat the area dry. It’s hygienic and gentle on senior’s delicate skin.
- Environmental impact – So, you’re thinking this sounds great, but what about all that wasted water? The footprint of a washlet or bidet is much smaller than you think — for each use, the bidet only uses 1/8 of a gallon of water. Compare that to the water used to make toilet paper (37 gallons per roll) and trees cut down each year (15 million) and the bidet is a much more sustainable option.
If you’re still hesitant about bringing a washlet into your home, stop by our showroom where you can see one in action.
Introducing Jetcoat Shower Systems!
Say goodbye to mortar, messy grout, and time-consuming tiling for your bath and shower. Introducing the Jetcoat™ Shower Wall System: A Grout-Free Solution! It only takes a few hours to measure, cut, and adhere to the wall, which makes this a perfect DIY project for most. Just 24 hours later, the walls will be cured and ready for use. With five ultra-durable premium finishes and three different configurations, you’ll never find an easier or more affordable way to give your bath the stylish and dramatic makeover you’ve been dreaming of.
Decorators everywhere are falling in love with these long-lasting and sophisticated walls! Premium finishes available include Slate, Driftwood, Quarry, Sandstone, and Shale. The variety ensures there is a perfect style for everyone! Getting a new Jetcoat shower is incredibly quick and easy with the Jetcoat grout-free installation system. Although it looks like these are individual tiles, they are actually large panels that simply click into place with their tongue and groove edges. They fit so snug that you will have a hard time finding the seams once the panels are in place. The SPC Rigid Core panels are incredibly durable since they are made into a composite from natural marble powder and PVC powder. With 10 layers of strengthening and UV protectant mediums, these heavy-duty walls will stand up for years without worry of chipping, staining, or fading.
Jetcoat is a stunningly affordable option for anyone looking to install a shower. With multiple base sizes available and a 10-year warranty, replacing your old bathtub, standard shower, or corner shower is a breeze! You can also order a custom base from Handy Man and order Jetcoat walls to fit if you have a unique sized space. Come and see it on display at our showroom – you will love it! See the installation video here!
Jetcoat was created by Foremost, one of our trusted vendors for many bathroom products, including their bathroom vanity cabinets and shower doors.
Giveaway Winner!
Congratulations to Andrew! He took home our giveaway prize of $300 in store credit! He is pictured here with his daughter and our Lincoln store manager, Mike. We’re looking forward to helping him with his next project!
Showers & Mold: A Never-Ending Battle
What causes mold and mildew in the shower?
How can I keep my shower mold-free and fresh?
- Clean off any mold or mildew as soon as you see it to prevent the secondary attacks.
- Consistently rinse the shower each time you are done using it. If you rinse out any soap bubbles on the walls or curtain, the mold won’t have anything to feed on. A hand shower is a great tool for this. It makes it easy to direct the water right where it needs to go.
- The most important step in mold prevention is to remove excess moisture. Bath fan ventilation technology has come a long way in the last decade. The best fans run at a low speed all day long to keep moisture out. When it senses a person in the room it will speed up for a set amount of time. Not only do these fans clear out bathroom moisture, but they also are incredibly quiet, and no longer roar like a jet engine taking off. One flaw of older or basic models of bath fans is that you take a shower in the morning, then leave the house. You don’t want to leave the fan running for 8 hours on full speed, so you turn it off before it gets a chance to do its full job. These new models run constantly and silently, which allows them time to complete their job – reducing moisture, mold spores, and odors. Handy Man carries a wide variety of bath fans to suit your every need – bath fans with night lights, motion sensors, and more. We’re here to walk you through it!
6 Shower Heads For A More Relaxing Experience
Mountain Re-Vive Ultra Thin Rain Head #114131
Bring your shower into the future with this ultra-thin rain shower head. The clean lines can modernize any bathroom!
Aqua brass Aquasheet waterfall rain head #96082
This multi-function shower head includes a rain head and waterfall feature that transports you from your bathroom into the jungle.
Delta Surface Mount Body Sprayer #81885
After a tough workout, body sprayers are a must. They massage away tired and achy muscles to leave you feeling rejuvenated!
2-in-1 Moen Engage Hand Shower with MAGNETIX #108649
Cleaning the shower, washing the dog, and rinsing all those hard-to-reach places has never been easier! With Moen’s Engage hand show with MAGNETIX, your hand shower will always snap back into place after use!
Grohe Relexa Deluxe Champagne Shower Head #88791
This multi-function shower head featuring air-enriched water droplets offers users a spa-like experience every day. Choose from wide champagne, narrow champagne, needle jet spray, and wide rain sprays! Some users say it’s “the best shower head ever made.”
ThermaSol Chromotherapy head
Rejuvenate yourself in a shower enriched with chromotherapy! Each color has a different energetic property. Choose purple light to relax before bed or orange light to energize you before a big meeting.
Blanco Kitchen Package Giveaway
Congratulations to Sheila from Lincoln! She took home a new Blanco kitchen sink and matching faucet (valued at $900) for her home! Thank you for participating in our giveaway!
How To Make The Most Of Your Crowded Family Bathroom
By choosing pieces that add extra storage and also using some mind tricks, you can transform a small family bathroom into a functional space for the whole family.
- When you choose bathroom furniture with extra storage spaces, you can clear off the vanity top and make your bathroom less cluttered. Consider adding a large medicine cabinet instead of a mirror. Toothbrushes, medicines, and lotions can all be tucked inside and out of sight. Hanging an over-the-john cabinet is a great way to utilize a big empty space and get even more bathroom items out of the way.
- Remove your large vanity cabinet and install a compact pedestal sink with storage. Pedestal sinks generally do not extend as far from the wall, leaving more room for people to pass through.
- If you can’t bear to give up a larger vanity, consider installing a wall-mounted one instead. The extra floor space can be filled with baskets and makes cleaning the floor a breeze.
- Replacing your dull light fixtures with brighter ones can make your space feel much larger. Bright lights can fill dark corners with light and make you realize how much space you have available. Mirrors reflect the light, so a large mirror will make your bathroom feel more spacious as well.
- Shower curtains make bathrooms feel smaller and darker than they actually are. By adding a frameless shower door you can trick the eye into feeling like the space is more open. An added bonus of adding a shower door is the ability to mount towel bars directly on the door. This clears up the walls and instead allows towels to dry in a space that wasn’t utilized before.
- Wall color can make or break a small bathroom. Choosing lighter paint colors opens up the space and makes it feel much larger.
As seen in The Hood Magazine September 2018.
Ugly Bathroom Contest – 2018
Congratulations to the winners of our 3rd Annual Ugly Bathroom Contest! These winners were able to beat out 130 other entries to take home their prize.
Grand Prize – $2,000
2nd Place – $500
3rd Place – $250
Creative Writing – $100