10 Inch vs 12 Inch Rough-In Toilet. What Is The Difference?

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Last Updated on November 13, 2022 by acechapman

The toilet rough-in is important when buying a new toilet at home, work, or anywhere else. This determines the distance between a wall and the center of the flange. Let’s take a closer look at 10 inch vs 12 inch rough in toilet.

There are four types of rough-in toilets: 8″, 10″, 12, and 14″. It is easy to measure rough-in. Just follow these simple steps.

What is a 10-inch rough toilet?

If you are wondering what a 10-inch rough-in toilet is the distance between the finished wall and the floor opening is at a center distance of approximately 10-inches.

Older models often have a 10-inch rough-in. There are fewer options for toilets.

10-Inch Rough-In Toilet Pros And Cons

Pros

  • You can save a lot of space
  • This is an excellent choice for smaller bathrooms
  • Perfect for pets and children
  • You can later change the rough-in from 10 to 12 inches.

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Option for a lesser variation
  • More susceptible to clogging
  • The toilet is attached to a wall. This will increase sweating, dampness, and mold growth in humid areas.

What is a 12-inch Rough-In Toilet?

If you ask “What is a 12-inch rough-in toilet?”, the answer is that the finished wall and the center gap between the floor flange and the toilet are approximately 12-inches.

Today, rough-in toilets measuring 12 inches are a standard feature and there are many more options.

12-Inch Rough-In Toilet Pros And Cons

Pros

  • Less prone to clogging
  • Increased flushing power 
  • Ideal for everyone
  • It can be used in small and large bathrooms
  • There are many options for toilets
  • No sweat or damp tank

Cons

  • A toilet that is 12 inches or larger cannot be replaced with a 10-inch toilet.
10 inch vs 12 inch rough in toilet

10-Inch vs 12-Inch Rough-In Toilet

The above description shows the differences between the 10 and 12 rough-ins as well as the pros and cons.

The measurement between the wall and the center of the toilet’s flange is the first point, 10-inch VS 12-inch.

The 12-inch rough-in refers to the standard size of the rough-in, whereas 10 inches is the measurement for the old model house.

There are fewer options for 10-inch toilets. We have more options with 12-inch toilets, from a one-piece to a two-piece, round or elongated, and chair height to standard, along with water-efficient performance.

Toilets that are 10-inch rough-in have a higher likelihood of clogging, while 12-inch rough-in toilets or larger are remembered for their ability to clean up easily.

You will have problems if you live in humid areas. Not so with a 12-inch rough-in. They use about 1.6 GPF each flush and are 10” rough-ins.

They now only use 1 to 1.28 GPF water thanks to the 12” era.

If you need to exclude the toilet or another item, I can help you. A rough-in toilet 10 inches in diameter can be converted to a rough-in toilet 12 inches in size, as I mentioned previously.

Is it possible to replace a 10-inch rough-in toilet with a 12-inch rough-in?

You can. There are many ways to do it. A gap of 2 inches between the rare toilet wall, and the drain outlet center is 10-12 inches. This is not the result of flushing.

You can replace a 10-inch rough-in toilet with a 12-inch rough-in toilet by using an Offset Flange.

A flange connects the toilet flush outlet and the main drainpipe. To create a tight seal, the flange should be installed at least 1/4 inch above the floor.

An offset Flange is an adaptor that allows you to transfer between rough-in and finished without damaging the floor. You can also change the direction.

How to Install an Offset Flange

  • The drain opener’s size should be measured in inches, either 3″ (or 4″).
  • Choose your preferred size Offset Flange from 10-14″ in stock. Wax ring for tight seal and bolts.
  • All water supply lines connecting to this figure should be turned off.
  • In order to remove the tank lid, flush the tank thoroughly and use a sponge to absorb any remaining water.
  • Take an old towel/cloth.
  • Remove the old toilet from the cloth and place it on top.
  • Then, remove the wax ring and clean the area around the base.
  • Place the new Offset Flange in place of the old one.
  • Attach the bolts to the toilet by placing the wax ring.
  • Connect the water line to your computer and turn it on.
  • Flush the toilet tank once you have filled it. This will then allow you to check for leakages.
10 inch vs 12 inch rough in toilet

How do I know if my toilet is a 10 or 12 rough-in?

As mentioned, rough-in is the measurement of the space between the rare wall of a toilet and the center flange or drain opener.

Follow these simple steps to determine if the toilet is rough-in or 10″. You will need a measuring tape before you can do that.

Floor Mounted

  • First, measure the drain opener and then determine its center point and mark it.
  • Then, measure the distance from the wall to where the bolt caps are located at the base of your toilet. This allows you to seal the system or tighten it.
  • You should always have rare bolts on hand in case you have more than two caps.
  • When measuring a stud wall don’t forget the width of the solid walls

Corner Toilet

  • Start by tracing the tape along both sides of the toilet until you reach the middle of the bolt caps. This will help you to identify exact locations.
  • Draw perpendiculars starting at both points.
  • The rough-in is the point where both points overlap.

Is the 12-inch rough-in standard for toilets?

There is no standard size for rough-in toilets. Toilets are most commonly rough-in at 10 to 12 inches. However, there are toilets that have rough-ins of 8 or 14 inches.

Toilet manufacturers design toilets that fit different sizes of rough-in so that every person can have a toilet that fits their bathroom.

Make sure you measure the space that the toilet will need when shopping for a toilet. This will ensure that the toilet fits in your bathroom. You can either measure your bathroom yourself or hire a professional to assist you.

Wrapping Up

There are four types of rough-in toilets. There are four sizes of toilet rough-ins: 12”, 14”, and 10′. Toilet rough-in is a critical factor to consider.

It is important to remember that a 10-inch VS 12-inch rough-in toilet refers to the distance between the wall as well as the center of the flange. I hope you are able to measure these points so that you can get the best rough-in toilet.

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