Incase I was deluding myself that my blog resembled a luxe-lifestyle design site, this photo should set me straight.
This is the concealed trapway, skirted, one-piece toilet we chose…
American Standard Tropic,Concealed Trapway Right Height™ Elongated, One-Piece, ADA Toilet.
If you’d told me I would start a blog, and write a post about a toilet. I would not have thought that could be correct. But? This is a renovation blog, so not only am I writing about it. I am excited. About a toilet. This seems vaguely sad, but there you have it.
I’m excited about two things. First—that this is finally moving out of the foyer, where it’s been hanging out for over a month.
And secondly—it’s a concealed trapway. Also called a skirted style. Meaning? There is no exposed loop to clean. Which, apparently at this stage of my life is super exciting.
It’s also one piece. Meaning that the water tank is not separate from the main section of the toilet. Which means no gap. Which means it’s seamless and therefore easier to clean. Also, I personally think it looks better.
Prior to this toilet, we had an American Standard Cadet something or other and I would have given it a great review… This one is supposed to be nearly identical as far as the plumbing goes, so I’m assuming we’ll be happy with it.
In case you too are thrilled at the idea of a concealed trapway… we chose the American Standard Tropic. It’s the ADA taller height. It’s elongated, and one-piece. American Standard’s website’s list price is $900-$1,100. Which is obviously insane.
We got ours on Amazon, for about $500. Is that a lot for a toilet? I guess it is. But to me, every time I clean it, it pays for itself.
UPDATE:
Finally installed! It’s been in for a month now.
Do I like it? NO. I LOVE IT.
I find this post completely SEXY! Yes, this toilet is HOT! Apparently I am also at a point in my life where a beautiful toilet makes me squeal. (I’m squealing, Victoria) Okay, I’m a little worked up but I thought maybe it was only me who lusted over things like this. I had my eye on a Toto for a long time but it was a $1,200 (which I could never bring myself to do) I agree it’s insane… but honestly if I had to do it again, I’d spend the cash. Nothing beats a beautiful, sleek, well-working toilet. It’s a chick thing, I guess. Congrats on this… seriously. I’m excited with you and for you! It’s going to look amazing in your new bathroom!
Good grief you’re funny. I was going to write at the end that no one should feel an obligation to comment on such a post… but now I’m glad I didn’t. Not scrubbing out the nooks and whatnot IS pretty sexy.
I continue to be confused by the extreme variation between list pricing, and what you can actually buy an item for, somewhere on the internet.
Hi There! May I ask if the back of the toilet is encased? I am looking for a skirted toilet that has a closed back. Most I find have an open back – which defeats the purpose of easy cleaning. Thanks for your time!
Sincerely,
Vivian
You’re right… as far as I know, they all have an open back. I say all, because I looked at about a million toilets!! I had my husband cut a piece of plexiglass to fit in the opening and held it in place with some dots of caulk. He was a little exasperated with this part… cutting and fitting it was kind of a hassle. And you have to leave room on the one side for the water line to run through to the tank.
Not ideal, but it solved the issue enough to satisfy me… plus, for me, personally it was worth the compromise, I was NOT getting anything but the concealed trapway! Best of luck!!
Victoria we are a lot alike. I was just thinking about what kind of material I could use to seal the back. I was thinking of getting a Toto Aquia. However it has an open back as well.
I may have to settle on the Toto Nexus. It is skirted and it does have a closed back. However it does have some concave areas in the back and side – but not a lot. It is also two piece not one piece.
But I may have to compromise.
I am so tired of looking at toilets! You would think these sites would offer 360 degree views of these things! Sheesh.
Your home looks gorgeous by the way. =)
Many Thanks!
Vivian
When I was toilet-shopping, I literally could not believe the time and energy I spent thinking about a toilet. And how difficult the decision was!!
The two-piece was not an option for me. I don’t like the look of that gap (plus, another place difficult to clean). Another consideration for me was that I found a lot of the enclosed trapways were extremely modern looking… which really clashed with the vintage-theme I had in mind. So, between wanting a one piece, and being picky about the appearance, AND considering the measurements, (some of them are significantly larger than others,) it really narrowed my options… to the point where you start thinking about “modifying” your toilet!!
Thanks for the house compliment!! It’s been a construction site for so long… it’s finally starting to feel like a home!
=) I hear you. I know for my bathroom cleaning the gap will be a lot easier than getting into an open back. You are fortunate to have an awesome husband who will cut plexiglass for you! =)
I am single but have handy brothers. I will have one of them help me with install but he’s already going to think I am insane if I ask him to cover up the hole in the back.
Of all things we have to compromise on? Toilets? Who knew!
Thanks Again. =)
Best,
Vivian
Oh, I weigh that daily… the debate of whether to keep an idea to myself, or appear insane. Best of luck, whatever you choose you’ll end up loving!
Oooh, ahhh, toilet envy! I love the sleek look. There’s no shame in toilet blogging, that can only mean your closer to finishing your bathroom
“No shame in toilet blogging” made me laugh out loud. Of all the glamour-design-high-end types of blogs out there, I suppose someone has to fill the practical-and-useful genre.
Victoria,
Been through this…fell in love with Toto…isn’t that the name of the Carin terrier in W. of Oz? Your new addition looks amazing and yes, I too would get excited about not having to clean the loop thingy that is on most toilets. Can’t wait to see this spectacular Cadillac in the finished bath.
Karen
Who knew choosing a toilet could be a multi-step process? And that at the end you could “fall in love” with one… I’m actually kind of alarmed at my degree of excitement over a toilet.
We bought the Jacuzzi Espree Watersense skirted toilet from Lowes for less than 300.00. If it was a man, I would marry it! Cleaning it (inside and out) is a breeze. I *heart* skirted toilets – I just wish they had been around (and affordable) yearsssssss ago!
I know, right?! Now that I’m aware of the skirted version, I cannot imagine why anyone is still making the old style… the concealed trapway is better in everyway imaginable!
I love ours! So easy to clean, one thing the previous owners did that I kept! Enjoy!!
I love ours too… Your PO really did you a favor!
I’m a totoholic…I love the idea that it’s out of the foyer!
I know people love their totos!! We did look at those, but this one’s measurements worked best for our space… You cannot imagine how glad I was to get it out of our entranceway!! I was starting to get used to it, that’s how long it was there!!
This American Standard toilet is great. I have one and it is not only easy to clean. It performs flawlessly. You can remove the seat very easily to clean with only touching a button!
I am SO with you… the seat is great! (Although Husband said it was harder to install than regular.) I haven’t taken it off yet, but I’m glad to hear it’s easy!!
I truly don’t mean to be snarky (and I love the toilet!), but just in case you start getting linked in other blogs, I wanted you to know that “Incase” is not one word — it’s “in case.”
Lol… I don’t take it as snarky. I do play fast and loose with grammar, even when spell-check doesn’t catch my errors… (MS word defines “incase” as “lest, for fear of.”) Thanks for making me look a little smarter!!
I had to look up your trapway toilet because when you mentioned it the vision I had in my head…are you ready?…was a toilet in some kind of trap door. LOL. Thats so ludicrous but hey your house could have been one that was around during prohabition and they needed to go in some trap door to potty? okay that was reaching…. With that said though, where have these toilets been my whole remodeling life? This one seems it would take less time to clean the bathroom and it looks great. That pipe thing is disgusting now that I think about it. Your pick has a sleek elegance about it that makes it perfect for an older or a newer bathroom…now I have to look up a skirted vs an open back toilet. I am so toilet ignorant…but getting smarter. LOL
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LOL… trapdoor. Anything is possible in these old houses.
Once I saw the enclosed trapway? I was like WHY would I ever buy the old style? Why would anyone? Why do they even keep making the old style?
I don’t know how this style has not taken over the old one… total mystery to me. Yes, they are more expensive… but you know if more people bought them, there would be more competition, and the prices would be better. Either way, it was worth the extra few hundred dollars, in my opinion… and I’m the one who cleans the bathroom, so it’s really only my opinion that matters.
I love your blog! When I happened upon it via GardenWeb, I laughed out loud and exclaimed “HA-HA! JACKPOT!” I have two questions regarding your beloved new toilet, which is just beautiful, by the way. The first is, does it come in “normal” height? I have 5 children, some of whom are small, one of whom is flirting with the idea of using the potty. I don’t want to do ADA height. The second is, speaking of those 5 children, how is the toilet holding up with regard to the clogging and incompetent flushing that has plagued the reputations of the new lower water use toilets?
Hey! I’m glad you found me!
If you had told me I’d ever write a blog where people asked me questions about my toilet… I swear, I would NOT have believed it!!
I don’t think the Tropic comes in the standard height… that was the one thing I actually didn’t have to factor in… both Paul and I are over 6’, and no kiddos to consider.
I have been really happy with this American Standard, and the one we put in another bath… I’m actually surprised that there aren’t more threads on gardenweb about it as an option. The cult of Toto reigns supreme, but I’ve seen a few threads where people talk about how much they hate theirs… so it’s kind of a mystery.
However, even though I’m really happy with it, I have *absolutely no idea* how it would do with lots of little kids using it. It’s just the two of us, so I can imagine adding 5 little people to the mix might change your results!
If it’s a concern for you, you could try ordering a 1.6 gallon instead of a 1.2… depending on what state you live in, that may still be an option.
Good luck!
Victoria
I remember reading this post when you first wrote it, when I was first searching for bathroom ideas for our century-old-home-gut-job. The breathless excitement really stuck with me and when it became time to choose a toilet for our new half bathroom I just *had to* google skirted toilet options. Then I found this post again and must say it’s just as great the second time around!
The feminist in me thinks that if, historically, the men were cleaning the bathrooms… the goose-neck/intestine design would have long died out. But we will change it one toilet at a time.
My toilet is famous… what can I say.
When I was researching them, I read a comment somewhere about how clearly men designed it… otherwise the “exposed-intestine” would be a butterfly or a flower or something. Not that that would be easier to clean… but at least would be attractively impractical.
I really think the old style will be obsolete eventually. I cannot imagine why it wouldn’t be…
We are about to redo a powder room. Well we have been about to redo it for 2 years but I really think it’s coming soon. Anyway this toilet looks perfect…bookmarking!!
I will never buy a “normal” toilet again. I have no idea why they even still make them… this is such a better idea.