Last Updated on December 30, 2022 by acechapman
It is possible to be frustrated, confused, or even completely oblivious to the height of your toilet seat. You might still be looking for the right comfort height toilet.
This article will help you understand the right height for your toilet. You will also find some ideas that better suit your needs. To help elderly and disabled people who require a toilet at a comfortable height for safety, convenience, and comfort.
What Are Comfort Height Toilets?
Comfort height refers to a toilet whose bowl height is measured from the floor to its top. It can be anywhere between 17 and 19 inches high. This height range is identical to an ADA-compliant toilet. It’s considered a standard-height toilet if it is lower than 17 inches. It will also be a non-standard toilet if it is higher than 19 inches.
Different manufacturers may have different names for it. American Standard calls it the right-height toilet. TOTO insists it should be universally accessible. KOHLER, however, calls it what it is: a comfort height toilet. No matter what the term, it applies to the same height range of 17-19 inches. Let’s use the comfort height for this discussion.
Is Comfort Height A Toilet Feature?
Yes, comfort height is a feature of some toilet models. Comfort height toilets are designed to be more easily accessible for people who may have difficulty sitting down or standing up from a standard-height toilet. These toilets are typically about two inches taller than standard toilets, making them more comfortable and easier to use for people who are taller or have mobility issues. Comfort height toilets are also known as “right height” or “chair height” toilets.
The same toilet will not be comfortable for a disabled person or elderly person who is the same height. An ADA or comfort height toilet is a great option.
Standard-size toilets have a height of 15 to 17 inches. A comfort height toilet will allow for an extra 3 to 4 inches of height. The extra height will make it easier for people with disabilities or injuries to use the facility.
It sounds fantastic to have an extra 3 inches. This is a simple solution that can be used by the elderly and those with mobility issues.
The Unspoken Truth
A comfort height is made up of 2 dimensions. This is the height of the toilet bowl and the height of the toilet seat.
Toilet seats usually measure about 1 inch in height, or slightly more if they have an anti-slip bumper. It is safe to assume that they are fixed at 12 inches. The bowl must be at least 16 inches high to compensate for the minimum 17 inches that we consider comfortable.
If you require an 18-inch seat height, a 17-inch toilet bowl is available. An 18-inch bowl is sufficient for a 19-inch seat height.
The truth is that you will never find a toilet seat that is 17 inches or taller.
A 17-inch bowl is unnecessary. You can buy toilet seat height extensions or raised toilet seats online, which are only 2 inches in height. You can even get them as high as 4 inches.
If you prefer to use regular toilet seats, you can build a raised platform at any height. You can also get a toilet base riser to increase the height of your throne.
These are some ways people raise the height of their toilet seats. But, are they safe?
Why can’t they produce a 17 and 18-inch high bowl?
There are many reasons for this. No business will mass produce any product that isn’t in high demand. It won’t make a great return on investment if it doesn’t deliver a high level of value. Customizations are not their specialty. It is also often very expensive to personalize products for an individual.
Manufacturers will be compelled to make a variety of toilet bowl heights. Toilets aren’t shoes. Toilet manufacturing is slow and tedious. To achieve economies of scale, the standard height for a toilet is 15 inches.
To make it easier to get on and off the toilet seats, the height was increased by one inch. A one-inch increase in height won’t have any impact on the manufacturing process or cost. Most users are able to accept an inch more in height.
It’s an opportunity for marketing to promote the product and increase sales volume. The comfort height toilet was born.
However, this is a biased and one-sided observation. It would be unfair to accuse toilet companies of not producing 17-inch or 18-inch bowl-height toilets.
Do not blame the toilet makers
Most families have family members that don’t require a high-bowl toilet. It may not be practical to install a tall toilet in every bathroom. It is not a good idea to disrupt their habits of using the toilet. Even though there is always a toilet stool available, toilets should still be able to use in a normal manner.
A slightly larger bowl is the best solution, as it can accommodate users of different heights. A little inconvenience will not be caused by an inch being higher.
Issues with Toilet Seat Riser and Toilet Seat Riser
A toilet seat riser or toilet height extender will provide the extra height you require. The range of issues that it brings with it can make you wonder why don’t they make a better bowl toilet.
Toilet Seat Riser
It Moves
How snug would it be doesn’t matter, porcelain will never be as stable and secure as it is. The seat becomes more unstable the higher the seat extends. Extra high seat extenders are not recommended for elderly people or those with hip problems.
Before allowing an elderly person to use these toilet seat risers, make sure they are securely fastened. You can’t predict when the fastenings will lose their grip over time.
Unhygienic
The elevated sitting position means that the ladies’ urinating angles are also higher. This will increase the likelihood of sprays landing on the seat’s inner walls. This could lead to liquid waste spilling out from the front seat base, and then dripping down onto the exterior bowl.
Inconvenient for other users
Other users may be inconvenienced if the toilet is not for their personal use. Even with a quick-release feature on a riser chair, it can be quite annoying to have to remove and reattach the seat.
Toilet Base Riser
A toilet base riser is a device that is used to raise the height of a toilet seat. This can be helpful for people who have difficulty sitting down or standing up from a standard-height toilet, or for those who simply prefer a higher toilet seat.
Toilet base risers are typically made of plastic or foam and can be easily installed by placing them under the base of the toilet. Some toilet base risers also have additional features, such as non-slip surfaces or built-in handrails, to provide added stability and support. It is important to choose a toilet base riser that is compatible with your toilet and that provides a secure and stable fit.
However, there is nothing like a toilet in one piece that sits on the floor.
The flange extends above the floor like any joint, increasing the chance of mechanical failure. This can lead to leaks and hidden areas for dirt and mold.
Better Solution for the Tall Elderly and Disabled
The first option is that you will need to be able to afford the most expensive and popular bathroom remodel. This option is not possible to replace.
It’s a wall-hung toilet. It will be necessary to adapt your drain pipes to run from the floor to where the toilet bowl is located to the wall.
This option allows you to adjust the height of the bowl from 15 to 19 inches. This allows you to have a wide range of sitting heights, from 16 inches up to 20 inches.
This is the best choice compared to the next. The damage could easily run from $1,600 up to $2,000 or more.
If a 19-inch bowl is not tall enough
This Convenient Height two-piece toilet is a good alternative if you don’t have enough money for a wall-hung toilet. It’s also affordable and easy to install. It can be used as a direct replacement for your standard-height floor-standing toilet.
Convenient Height toilets are tall toilets with a 20-inch bowl. Its bowl height is actually 20 inches high. With a regular toilet seat or washlet, the seat height will be 21 inches.
The downside is the 20-inch bowl height. This may not suit you if you need the toilet to be comfortable with your seat 18 or 19 inches. However, the wall-hung toilet is more affordable.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, comfort height toilets are a useful feature for people who have difficulty sitting down or standing up from a standard height toilet, or who simply prefer a taller toilet. These toilets are typically about two inches taller than standard toilets and are also known as “right height” or “chair height” toilets. When choosing a toilet, it is important to consider the specific needs and preferences of the user, including the height of the toilet, the size and shape of the seat, and the flushing mechanism. Comfort height toilets can provide added convenience and comfort for some users, but may not be the best choice for everyone.
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