1 Piece vs 2 Piece Toilet – Pros, Cons and Comparison

Traditionally, all toilets were made of 2 separate parts: a toilet bowl and a water tank on top of it. Today, the choice of toilet systems is significantly wider, and 1-piece toilets have already become a popular alternative.

However, we can’t compare these designs like black and white. Both have their pros and cons, so only you can decide which option is the best for your household, taste, and budget.

Is a 1 piece toilet better than a 2 piece?
One-piece toilets are generally thought to be better than two-piece toilets because they are heavier and easier to clean, and because there is less space for bacteria to grow. Two-piece toilets, however, have the advantage of being more customizable for preferred styles and heights. Both styles can include such features as bidet attachments or low-flow energy saving.

Below, I provide the most detailed 1-piece vs 2-piece toilet comparison so that you can make a well-considered investment and just forget about it for many years.

Difference Between One-piece and Two-piece Toilets

I have divided the whole comparison into paragraphs by the main features. In the end, you will find two-piece vs one-piece toilet tables with pros and cons.

Dimensions

Both types of toilets come in many sizes. In most cases, one-piece models require less space from front to back and in height because both parts are molded together. At the same time, the majority of one-piece toilets are made to match the comfort height standards.

That’s why most of them are 17 inches high instead of 15 inches. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find a lower 1-piece model. It’s just harder. Classic, 2-piece toilets, are usually 15 inches high, but it’s very easy to find any other height.

However, the most important dimension for you is the rough-in. It defines the distance from the center of the toilet drain pipe to the wall behind the toilet.

The most popular option is 12 inches, but you can also opt for 10 inches (for a compact bathroom, and 14 inches if you’re not short on space. You can mount different tanks on a two-piece toilet to adjust the tough-in, while a one-piece model cannot be disassembled and customized.

This lets us come to the major downside of a one-piece toilet. It’s always harder to transport as you cannot detach the tank to make the whole thing more compact and easier to carry.

one piece toilet vs two piece

Performance

Both toilet types are compatible with a variety of flushing technologies, including the most basic variants and the most popular dual flush systems that let you save your budget and the environment.

Design

The widespread opinion is that one-piece toilets are much better for contemporary bathrooms as they look sleeker. I think it’s an outdated vision. The market has become overflowed with different designs for all existing toilet types, so you can simply take the one that fits your bathroom design project better.

Pricing

One-piece toilet costs are always higher because it’s more difficult to manufacture them. Be ready to pay around 50% more for a one-piece toilet with the same features.

The price range for a 1-piece option is from $400 to $1,200+, while 2-piece toilets are usually available for $150-$650. The installation of both options rarely costs more than $100.

Cleaning

The molded shape of a one-piece toilet makes it less exposed to bacteria breeding and much easier to clean around the tank. As a result, the average cleaning time of this toilet type is 1-2 minutes shorter.

Installation

Two-piece toilet installation takes a bit more time as you have to attach the tank to the bowl. One-piece toilet installation is usually the same in the rest of the aspects and costs the same. The only downside is that it is heavier, so you need more strength to place it right.

Durability

Two-piece toilets are slightly less durable because the connection point between the tank and the bowl may crack (though it’s not a rule). Most probably, the rubber gasket will start leaning.

On the other hand, replacing a tank or a cracked bowl part is much cheaper. If you break a one-piece toilet in the tank area, you will have to replace the entire toilet. However, both types can serve up to 50 years without serious issues as well!

Pros/cons of both toilet types

Here are quick pros-&-cons tables so that you can overview a 1 piece vs 2 piece toilet in a glance.

One-piece toilets:

Pros: Cons:
  • Look more modern;
  • Easier to clean;
  • Usually more compact in height;
  • Leakages are less probable.
  • Harder and costlier to deliver;
  • Higher average prices;
  • Fewer rough-in choices.

Two-piece toilets:

Pros: Cons:
  • Cheaper;
  • More options to choose from;
  • Easier to ship and maneuver;
  • You can combine different bowls and tanks.
  • Cleaning takes more time;
  • Leakages and tank damage are more probable;
  • Takes longer to install.

FAQ

You may still have questions after reading the main part. I have picked the most probable of them here. Go to the comments section if your question is still without a reply.

Can you replace a two-piece toilet with a one-piece toilet?

Yes, you can do that if the rough-in in your bathroom matches the dimensions of the one-piece toilet that you wish to install. Don’t forget to consider other dimensions as well.

How much does a toilet weigh?

The average weight of a toilet that consists of two pieces is 55 pounds. Of course, it can be higher or lower, depending on its size. Most one-piece models weigh around 88 pounds and, unfortunately, you can’t disassemble them.

What is a two-piece toilet?

It’s a conventional toilet type that consists of a bowl and a tank. It’s the most common toilet type in the world as it’s usually cheaper and easier to transport.

two piece toilet

Are one-piece toilets better?

I can’t say that they are better in everything, but they definitely have benefits. They’re less exposed to leakages and cracks between the tank and the bowl. You can read about some disadvantages above too.

One-Piece or Two-Piece Toilet?

Having all these facts in mind, you can easily decide on the best toilet type for your new bathroom. If you want to learn more about other types of toilets, such as a corner, wall-mounted, single and dual-flush, etc., you will find it on my blog, so stay tuned.

So, what’s your winner in the 1-piece vs 2-piece toilet competition? You can comment on your choice in the section below the article as well as ask me some more questions if something’s not clear enough.

Other readers and I also will be grateful if you tell about the pros and cons of both types based on your own experience. Thanks for reading!

Also read:

Gerald Carpenter

My name is Gerald Carpenter and I am a professional plumber in the third generation. My father was a plumber, my grandfather was a plumber. I wish I had records on my other ancestors.

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