When you renovate your bathroom, it’s easy to forget about the important small details when making a toilet purchase. For example, have you considered the weight of the model you plan to install? If you want to replace your commode, some heavy lifting is inevitable and can be tricky, especially if you live on a high floor and have no elevator in the building.
Obviously, the weight of a toilet varies from model to model, even when toilets look similar. Weight can vary based on differences in many factors, like overall construction and toilet shape. A rule of thumb to remember is that two-piece toilets are usually lighter than their one-piece counterparts. Overall, toilet weight will vary depending on the style of the toilet itself.
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Two-Piece Models
You can see a two-piece toilet in almost every home nowadays. They are usually cheaper, lighter, and very simple to install. Since they consist of two components, it’s much easier to carry them to the bathroom. Two-piece toilets usually weigh between 70 and 100 pounds altogether, which will also depend on total number of toilet pieces. The heaviest part of a toilet is its bowl, which can weigh around 50 pounds on average.
One-Piece Models
One-piece units are becoming more and more popular due to the numerous benefits they have. At first, they look elegant and modern, but they are also much easier to clean and maintain even though they weigh more. For example, when it comes to two-piece units, there is typically a bit of space between the tank and the bowl. One-piece units won’t have this gap, and instead have an average weight of around 90 pounds, with some weighing 120 pounds or more.
Wall-Hung Models
Wall-hung models are usually seen in commercial buildings, but you can still find these in a small number of homes. Some units have a tank that’s hidden in the wall, but others use a direct water supply. These toilets consist only of a bowl, which makes them weigh around 50 to 70 pounds in total.
Portable Units
Although not many people own portable units, they are very popular among travelers and campers. These are made of plastic and weigh much less than standard models. An average portable toilet weighs only around 10 to 15 pounds.
What Affects the Weight of the Toilet?
Weight can significantly vary between models and manufacturers. If you take some of the best units from the same category, you will notice that the weight difference can be significant. Below are just a few factors that can affect toilet weight.
Material
Most toilets are constructed out of a special type of porcelain. This material is a very strong version of ceramic combined with quartz. When molded together and hardened, it creates an even heavier substance. Some models are made of stainless steel, but these don’t last as long as porcelain.
Footprint
Despite popular belief, toilets don’t have a universal footprint and can come in various sizes. For example, for smaller rooms, one usually uses more compact models. These are a bit slimmer and use a smaller tank size, both factors which directly impacts their weight. Another variation to consider is the difference between elongated and round toilet bowls. Elongated versions are a bit longer than their rounder counterparts and also weigh a bit more.
Extra Features
Buying a unit with more features also directly affects its weight. For example, bidet combos are infamous for significantly increasing toilet weight. Also, if your commode comes with heating elements, fans, deodorizers, and other comfort features, the overall weight is affected. Although it’s great to have all these options, it can be a struggle to transport your new toilet to your home.
Can One Person Carry the Toilet?
It depends mainly on the type of toilet you buy. If you opted for a two-piece model, you should have little to no issue with carrying as long as you move one piece at a time. In the end, you may only need assistance lifting the fully assembled toilet onto its new wax seal.
If you bought a one-piece unit, you should always have someone to help you with transportation. It’s almost impossible for a single person to lift these models, and even trickier to line one up onto its bolts. Make sure to properly plan installation ahead of time and have plenty of hands-on deck to help, or seek a professional plumber.
Bottom Line
Basically, a toilet can be much heavier than most people would suspect. There are still many other bathroom items that weigh even more, but you need to be careful when transporting and installing a newly-bought commode. Its shape makes it difficult to navigate between rooms, so reaching the bathroom can be quite a challenge. Planning ahead, saving plenty of time, and having people to help can all make for a smooth installation process.