As much as flushing options and seat shape go, homeowners are often faced with choosing between chair height vs comfort height toilets.
However, people make a rather common misconception when discussing these two terms.
If you go around looking for a toilet, you will find that seat height is actually labeled as chair, comfort, standard, or regular.
Here’s what you need to know about them.
To smoothly go over this topic, we first need to settle one important matter.
The only difference between chair height and comfort height is the terminology.
In other words, they both refer to the same seat height. Basically, “chair height” refers to toilets with seat heights ranging from 17 to 19 inches.
On the other hand, “comfort height” or “right comfort height” is a term used by a particular brand, namely Kohler CO.
Yes, “chair height” is an umbrella term for numerous brand-specific names.
Aside from Kohler CO, other brands use different names to refer to this height.
For instance, TOTO identifies toilets with a seat height of 17 to 19 inches as “universal height.”
On the other hand, the American Standard calls this the “right height.”
Various organizations and marketers also use different names such as “raised toilet,” “tall toilet,” or “ADA-compliant height.”
Here are some interesting facts you need to know about this type of toilet:
The term “chair height” is used to describe this type of toilet because it’s generally as tall as a standard dining room chair.
Without the actual seat, a chair height toilet would only be 16 to 18 inches tall.
On the other hand, the overall height (including the tank) would be around 29 ¼ inches tall.
Chair height toilets are often used in homes, especially those that are relatively tall.
However, because they’re ADA-compliant, they can also be used by the elderly and disabled people.
As a result, most commercial places prefer using chair height toilets instead of standard height toilets.
Despite being relatively higher than standard toilets, chair-comfort height toilets are actually more affordable.
Basic models generally cost anywhere between $328 and $478, including installation but excluding various additional features.
Excluding installation, a chair-comfort height toilet might only cost $150 to $300, depending on the brand.
One major problem with chair-comfort height toilets is their sitting position. Since they’re taller, the seating position leaves the hips and the knees at a 90-degree angle.
This is considered unnatural and may cause constipation issues as it restricts bowel movement.
So, why do some people still use them, and why does ADA actually prefer chair-comfort height toilets?
Well, that’s mainly because the 90-degree angle seating position is exceptionally more comfortable for people with longer legs.
The height is just appropriate for them to reach the floor with their feet without excessively bending their knees and arching their back.
Having said that, people with back and knee problems, like the disabled or the elderly, will find the straight-back position more comfortable.
Since a chair height toilet and a comfort height toilet are practically the same, perhaps you’re really interested in whether it’s similar to a standard height toilet.
Here’s what you need to know about this toilet seat height:
Just like the chair-comfort height toilet, a standard height toilet is also a broad term that encompasses various brand-specific names.
Standard height toilets are sometimes called “regular height toilets” or “traditional height toilets.”
They’re generally smaller than chair-comfort height toilets, with a seat height of only 15 to 16 inches.
Since the seat height is lower, standard height toilets are great for kids or relatively short people.
That’s why homeowners who live with kids usually install this type of toilet in their homes or at least have one of them in one of the rooms.
Standard height toilets are generally more expensive. Including installation, a standard height toilet might cause you anywhere from $398 to $548.
If you don’t include installation as a factor, they may cost somewhere between $220 to $370, depending on the brand.
Keep in mind that these prices can still go higher if you decide to include various features.
One major advantage of standard height toilets is that they offer a more natural sitting position.
That’s because the hips are below the knees, allowing for freer bowel movement.
When your hip is below your knees, the position of your rectum in relation to your anus, otherwise known as the anorectal angle, is at an optimum inclination.
This prevents constipation issues and even hemorrhoids.
Using a chair-comfort height toilet for smaller people might cause their feet to dangle in the air a few inches above the floor.
This is strongly discouraged as this could limit blood circulation throughout the rest of the body.
Let’s compare these two types of toilets side-by-side and determine which is the better option.
To recap, a chair-comfort height toilet is around 17 to 19 inches tall, while a standard height toilet is about 15 to 16 inches tall.
The best one for your home depends on the people you live with.
If you live with children and you only have to choose one, it might be better to compromise and choose a standard height toilet instead.
On the other hand, if it’s for commercial use such as for restaurants or cafes, we suggest you go with chair height toilets as they generally accommodate a greater population.
Additionally, they’re ADA-compliant, so you won’t be facing any problems with the organization anytime soon.
Winner: Tie
There’s not much difference in appearance between a chair-comfort height toilet and a standard height toilet except for the height.
They come in various colors and styles, the most popular color being white or beige.
You might be more interested in determining whether you should go for a one-piece or a two-piece toilet if you’re worried about appearance.
Winner: Tie
As with the appearance, the installation process of a chair-comfort height toilet is practically the same as a standard height toilet.
What you need to ensure is that the toilet is installed properly, which means hiring a professional to get the job done.
The connection between the tank and the bowl has more to do with two-piece and one-piece toilets rather than chair-comfort or standard height.
Winner: Tie
There’s about a 70-dollar difference between the total cost of a chair-comfort height toilet and a standard height toilet.
The major factor that affects this is the brand of the toilet.
For chair-comfort height toilets, we suggest that you go with American Standard, Kohler, or TOTO. Their prices range from $256 to $287.
The best standard height toilets come from almost the same brand, but Drake is also a trustworthy name. Their prices range from $279 to $376.
Nonetheless, we’d have to give this point to chair-comfort height toilets because they’re generally cheaper.
If you’re lucky enough, you can even find excellent toilets for less than $200.
Winner: Chair-Comfort Height Toilets
When it comes to constipation issues, we’d have to go with standard toilets because they can accommodate both tall and smaller people.
Kids or smaller people will assume a natural sitting position with this type of toilet.
On the other hand, taller people can switch to a squat position when defecating for optimum bowel movement.
Winner: Standard Height Toilets
In the battle of chair height vs comfort height toilet, there’s not much you can argue about because they’re virtually the same.
When you see different brands using names such as chair height, comfort height, right height, universal height, raised height, or ADA-compliant height, they all refer to the same toilet type.
What you need to determine is whether you want a chair-comfort height toilet or a standard height toilet in your home.
The best way to do that is to identify the characteristics of the people who will most likely use the toilet and use our guide above.
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