by Dan |
Last Updated: April 25, 2023 Table of Contents
Our editors independently research, select and recommend the best products. Some of these may be affiliate based, meaning we earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) if items are purchased.
Are you looking for a new toilet for your new or remodeled bathroom? As any other toilet expert would tell you, going for a 12 inch rough in toilet is the wisest decision today.
To answer the most obvious question in your head, 12 inch toilets are easy to find and can be replaced with about any other brand. Again, unlike a 10 inch or 14 inch toilet, these fixtures come in different types of styles and bowl-tank configurations making it quite easy to get exactly what you want.
So, what matters when buying a 12 inch unit? We’ll dig deep into this in a little while. For now, here are some of the best 12 inch rough in toilets on the market today.
Top 12 Inch Rough In Toilet
- Toto CST744SL#01 Drake
- Our Rating: 9/10
- Water Consumption & Flush:
1.6 GPF
Gravity Flush Toilet - Dimensions:
28x19.5x30.5" - Features:
Universal Height, Chrome Trip Lever - Price:
- Kohler K-3654-47 Persuade
- Our Rating: 8/10
- Water Consumption & Flush:
0.8 GPF and 1.6 GPF
Dual Flush - Dimensions:
31.5x27.6x14.2" - Features:
Contemporary Design - Price:
- Sterling 403080-96 Windham
- Our Rating: 8/10
- Water Consumption & Flush:
1.28 GPF
Gravity Flush - Dimensions:
27.2x15x29.5" - Features:
Optimized Siphonic Flush Action, Non-Porous Product - Price:
1. Toto CST744SL-01 Drake – Editor’s Choice
Professionally Designed
Toto understands that one color can never be perfect for everyone. Therefore, it avails the Toto Drake CST744SL-01 in 5 schemes: cotton white, colonial white, Sedona beige, bone, and ebony.
As an ADA compliant commode, the CST744SL-01 has a universal seat height for easy sitting and standing. This might be a great choice if you have problems using a low-height throne or if you’ll be hosting your elderly parents for some time.
G-max Flushing System
The most impressive feature, however, is that this toilet has been professionally designed to eliminate the issues of clogging compliments to its G-max flushing system.
Minimizes Clogging
Toto says that this toilet’s trapways have a computer-designed wider width to accommodate bulky wastes and a wider 3-inch flush valve to offer fast flushes and minimize the issue of clogging.
Similar to the Sterling Windham below, the Toto Drake CST744SL comes without the seat too.
Read a more in depth review of Toto Drake CST744SL
Ideal Solution For Small Bathrooms
The Kohler K-3654-47 offers homeowners a 2 piece toilet that will quickly and easily replace any existing 12 inch rough in toilet.
Dual Flush: 0.8 and 1.6 GPF
It might fit the bill if you are looking for a model with a little bit more offering from a design perspective. The K-3654-47 ditches the traditional trip lever for a button actuator. This button allows you to choose between 2 flush rates: 1.6 GPF and 0.8 GPF for solid and liquid waste respectively.
Although it does not meet the requirement for a HET WaterSense system, this Kohler toilet does a good job of saving money on your water bills.
Elongated Bowl Offers Extra Comfort
Its compact elongated bowl, on the other hand, makes it an ideal solution for a small bathroom besides offering the comfort and freedom that come with its design.
Its skirted trapway is also worth noting. It eliminates hard-to-reach areas that might trap dust and give you a hard time when cleaning.
3. Sterling 403080-96 Windham – Budget Buy
Powerful Flush Action
Sterling is not a household name as Toto and Kohler are. However, this brand has several great toilet systems that a homeowner might be looking for in a great toilet.
What’s your budget for a new fixture? I bet the Sterling 403080-96 Windham might be a good choice if you are not willing to spend a lot of money.
Amazingly, this fixture has a lot to offer at its price range. Its WaterSense certification, for instance, might give you an assurance that you may be paying a little bit less on your water bills after replacing your traditional toilet.
Saves You Water
Mind you, the Sterling 403080-96 Windham saves you water without sacrificing on flushing performance. It uses Sterling’s Pro Force technology to offer excellent one flush waste removal and bowl-cleaning performances each time.
3-Bolt Quick Connect System
Installation might be quite easier too considering that it uses a 3-bolt quick connect system. The 5-year warranty should come in handy in case the toilet misbehaves within this period.
One thing though. You’ll need to order for the seat separately. On this note, perhaps our picks of the best-padded seats or bidet seats might interest you.
Our Verdict (Editor’s Choice)
It’s not surprising that the Toto CST744SL-01 is our top pick for the best 12 inch rough in toilet. But what would you expect of a model that has held the best-selling position for a whole year?
Among other things, we like that you’ll be dealing with toilet manufacturer with a good reputation in the toilet industry. This toilet is affordable and a good water saver albeit failing to meet the HET threshold.
Best 12 Inch Rough In Toilets Comparison Chart
| Rank: | Model: | Our Verdict: | Price: | Our Rating: | Water Consumption: | Flush Type: | Dimensions: | Type: | Special Features: | Rough In: | Shape: | Material: | Color: | Finish: | Weight: | Installation Method: | Certification: | Warranty: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Toto CST744SL-01 | Best Overall (Our Pick) | $$ | 9/10 | 1.6 GPF | Gravity Flush Toilet | 28x19.5x30.5" | Two Piece | Universal Height, Chrome Trip Lever | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | Cotton White | Chrome | 92 pounds | Floor Mounted | ADA Compliant | 1-Year Limited Warranty |
| #2 | Kohler K-3654-47 Persuade | Premium | $$$$ | 8/10 | 0.8 GPF / 1.6 GPF | Dual Flush Toilet | 31.5x27.6x14.2" | Two Piece | Contemporary Design | 12" | Elongated | Vitreous China | Almond | Almond | 112.7 pounds | Floor Mounted | IAPMO Certified | 1-Year Limited Warranty |
| #3 | Sterling 403080-96 Windham | Budget | $ | 8/10 | 1.28 GPF | Gravity Flush, Single Flush | 27.2x15x29.5" | Two Piece | Optimized Siphonic Flush Action, 3-Bolt Installation, durable, Non-Porous Product | 12" | Round | Vitreous China | White | Biscuit | 83.7 pounds | Floor Mounted | CSA Certified | 5-Year Limited Warranty |
What Is The Rough In For A Toilet?
Assuming that you are new to toilet vocabulary, rough-in refers to the distance from the wall at the back of the toilet to the centre of the trapway outlet. To measure the rough-in of your existing toilet, you need to measure from the wall to the closest bolt from that side.
If your bathroom has a baseboard or molding, you’ll need to measure slightly above it to ensure that you get the rough in measurement right.
While you may be able to force a toilet to fit in a different rough in measurement, you risk having to hold the plunger often because of clogs.
What Are The Benefits Of Installing A 12 Inch Toilet?
Toilets come in 3 rough-in sizes: 10 inch, 12 inch, and 14 inch. If you are building a new bathroom or remodeling the existing one, it might be a good idea to plan for a 12 inch.
These toilets have become so popular to the extent of being regarded as the standard size. The chances are that your local plumbing store has filled this size on its shelves.
Again, all manufacturers have this size in all their models. This makes it easy to get almost any toilet design from any brand without worries of whether or not the fixture will fit in your toilet rough-in measurement.
Key Considerations When Shopping For A 12 Inch Toilet
-
Design
When choosing a throne, the first thing that you consider is the style: one piece, 2 piece, or wall mounted.
Since we are talking about a floor-mounted commode, the available options for you will be one-piece and 2-piece models. The definite advantage that one-piece fixtures offer is minimal leaks. This is because unlike their 2-piece alternatives, these models have fewer crevices and joints.
-
One Piece vs Two Piece
One Piece toilets also have a sleek design and are sure to give your guests the awe effect whenever they visit your bath. Again, Jonas Weiner, owner of Best Plumbing in Katonah, advises using a one piece toilet for a small bathroom because its low profile creates an illusion of openness.
Two Piece toilets are the most common though. The thing with these is that they are easily replaceable in case any of the 2 major components breaks. They are also somewhat cheap.
-
Bowl Type
You are almost a toilet professional if you know that elongated toilets are 2-3 inches longer than the round-front toilets.
Most adults argue that this slight variation in depth is what makes the elongated models more comfortable. Other notable advantages of an elongated bowl are less soiling and ability to retain the odors better.
On the other hand, round front models might interest you if you want a toilet for a compact room. The 2 extra inches in elongated toilets may stand in your way of meeting the International Building Code requirements.
-
Height
While the standard height for toilets is 15 inches, the senior citizens and anyone else with physical impairment may be better off with the ‘comfort height.’ Thrones with this height measure 17-19 inches from the floor to the seat.
This is one of the requirements for an ADA-compliant commode and might suit you if you have trouble sitting and getting off a standard-height toilet.