How Much Does A Toilet Weigh? Find Out In Our Quick & Dirty Guide
Why is it important to know how much a toilet weigh? If you know how much a toilet weighs, you can make more informed decisions on how you can renovate your bathroom. For instance, you can decide if it is better to leave replacing toilets in the hands of professionals or if you can do it yourself. If it is too heavy and you are working on replacing the toilet all by yourself, carrying it can be difficult.
Although toilets generally weigh the same, there are some factors that can increase or decrease that weight. So how much does a toilet weigh exactly? Let us find out from these factors:
Type of Toilet
There are two basic types of toilets: the one piece toilet and the 2 piece toilet. One-piece toilets are typically heavier, with an average one weighing 88 pounds or 40 kilograms. A two-piece toilet is significantly lighter at an average weight of 55 pounds or 25 kilograms. The reason why one-piece toilets are heavier is because they can’t be separated. It has a one-piece molding, which means the tank is always with it during the moving process, unlike in the case of two-piece toilets where you can separate the tank from the rest of the toilet to make them easier to move in.
Additionally, most one-piece toilets come in comfort heights. Comfort height toilets are generally taller than their traditional counterparts by up to 2 inches, which comfort height toilets having a height of 17 inches instead of the usual 15. That can increase the weight significantly.
Brand
The manufacturing process of some brands also affect how heavy these toilets are. American Standard’s Boulevard Flowise, for instance, is a one-piece toilet that has 117 lbs. of weight. This is significantly heavier than the 94 lbs. of Kohler’s San Souci model of toilet or the 99 lbs. of Totoro’s Ultra Max II toilet.
In some cases, two piece toilets are heavier than their one piece counterparts depending on the manufacturer. The Toto Vespin II, for instance is heavier than the previous Totoro Ultra Max II and Kohler San Souci with its 106 lbs. of weight. It is significantly heavier compared to the 70 lbs. of the H20 toilet model from American Standard.
Materials Used
Typically, toilets are made from vitreous china, it is a dense type of clay that is a mixture of different types of clay such as silica, china clay and ball clay. Most household toilets use this type of material as it is durable, and it can be blended with the glaze throughout the firing process.
However, there are also differences when it comes to the toilet seat used. Toilets seats made from plastic material are usually lighter for obvious reasons. Polystyrene, a kind of thermoplastic material is actually lightweight – more lightweight compared to the alternatives such as hardwood. Some toilets come with either birch or maple hardwood toilet seat, which can add to the overall weight of the material.
When choosing a toilet, also choose the right toilet seat material. It might be lightweight but if it is too flimsy, it will not provide the support that an average person needs. A flimsy plastic toilet seat might get damaged under heavier loads. This is why you should still consider getting a thicker plastic material, even though it might be heavier.
Wood, on the other hand, is durable but can be prone to water damage. This type of material is weakest against wood as it can cause rotting and warping. If you must buy a wood toilet seat, make sure it has been treated in order to prevent damages from setting in.
Size and Design of the Toilet
Of course, the size of the toilet also plays a big role on how much it weighs. Smaller and more compact toilets designed to fit in smaller bathrooms may be lighter compared to their traditional-sized counterparts. Comfort height toilets are heavier because of the added materials used to achieve the height. Minimalist toilets, or those that tend to have a smaller tank, are also generally lighter. Some designer toilets even forgo the base or the tank. They can be hung on a wall.
Wall hung toilets are lighter because of their reduced tank load. The Kohler Veil Wall Hung toilet weighs about 54 pounds while the Toto Aquia Wall Hung weighs about 66 pounds.
Camping toilets are obviously lighter because these toilets are typically made from plastic materials. Some are significantly heavier than others, especially those that mimic the design of a real toilet. But the bucket style toilets are light enough to be transported anywhere and carried even by just one person.
Technology
Does the toilet come with additional technologies? Motion sensors, heaters, air dryers, integrated bidet, built-in deodorizers and even lighting are integrated in some of the toilet fixtures today. There are even built-in speakers found in modern day toilets. Obviously, the more modern features are integrated, the heavier your toilet will get. If you want these parts but hate the weight, you can choose to add them later rather than opt for the built-in ones.
Tips in Transporting a Toilet
Before you can install your new toilet, you need to strategize on how you can transport it first. If it is heavy and you can’t lift it up by yourself, be sure to call someone to help you carry it to its designated place. You should use your knees in lifting it up. Bend your knees to hold the weight in order to avoid hurting your back.
If the bathroom is located in the same floor, you can use anything with wheels to transport it. Use a cart or even a wheelbarrow to easily move the heavy toilet to its designated location.
This is why it is important to choose your toilet wisely. Ask how much a toilet weighs first to determine whether you will be able to install it by yourself. For DIY enthusiasts, it is usually better to get the two-piece toilets. Because they can be separated, you can carry the tank and the bowl separately, thereby avoiding a heavier load.
Check this website for our product recommendations.
