windex66
New Member
I'm replacing a 40-year-old toilet, and this is new to me. My plumber recommended Kohler as "never giving him a problem", so I got a $220 1.28 GPF version from HD. Opps, we then realized that it was a 10" rough in, so returned it. As of right now, the - limited - options seem to be American Standard or Kohler, Toto being out of the price range.
American Standard (AS): HomeDepot stocks the Cadet 3 FloWise Elongated HE Toilet. The big bonus is that it is stocked, and comes with a seat (and ring), so out the door is probably $200. Lowe's stocks a similar toilet, AS Saver White 1.28 GPF with a Comfort Height (16").
The retail clerk claimed that the now 10-year warranty on American Standard was needed, as they're "not as reliable as Kohler". Secondly, he claimed that Kohler toilets have a 'glazed trapway', while AS weren't - and thus, AS were more likely to ocassionally have a stoppage. He said he never hears anything about AS; but his customers "love" Kohler. He claims his Kohler is the only toilet his kids haven't stopped up. Same guy said AS didn't make getting parts easy.
Am. Standard looks to generally get very good reviews (4 to 4.5 stars online for us laymen), but comments like this made me pause: "...The only problem I had was the flapper would not always seal and water would run until I flushed once or twice. The flapper model is a Fluidmaster 540 and there is no support documents on it anywhere online. Upon inspection there are numbers 0 to 10 on this flapper. Mine was set to 8. I moved it to 10 and that I guess prevented water or air from seeping into the flapper assembly. Now it seals every flush."
Last thing I need to do is pay for a toilet & install, and then hear a leaky flapper!!!
Kohler: so far, a 10" rough in looks to be a special order, and whether its the Highline Classic or the Cinamarron, it looks like it will be pushing $400.
The Skinny: price and convenience are pushing me towards the AS, but I'm perceiving Kohler to be a better product, and I've heard their support is better.
Is American Standard a solid - though maybe not spectacular - option? Or will I kick myself? Thanks for your time!
American Standard (AS): HomeDepot stocks the Cadet 3 FloWise Elongated HE Toilet. The big bonus is that it is stocked, and comes with a seat (and ring), so out the door is probably $200. Lowe's stocks a similar toilet, AS Saver White 1.28 GPF with a Comfort Height (16").
The retail clerk claimed that the now 10-year warranty on American Standard was needed, as they're "not as reliable as Kohler". Secondly, he claimed that Kohler toilets have a 'glazed trapway', while AS weren't - and thus, AS were more likely to ocassionally have a stoppage. He said he never hears anything about AS; but his customers "love" Kohler. He claims his Kohler is the only toilet his kids haven't stopped up. Same guy said AS didn't make getting parts easy.
Am. Standard looks to generally get very good reviews (4 to 4.5 stars online for us laymen), but comments like this made me pause: "...The only problem I had was the flapper would not always seal and water would run until I flushed once or twice. The flapper model is a Fluidmaster 540 and there is no support documents on it anywhere online. Upon inspection there are numbers 0 to 10 on this flapper. Mine was set to 8. I moved it to 10 and that I guess prevented water or air from seeping into the flapper assembly. Now it seals every flush."
Last thing I need to do is pay for a toilet & install, and then hear a leaky flapper!!!
Kohler: so far, a 10" rough in looks to be a special order, and whether its the Highline Classic or the Cinamarron, it looks like it will be pushing $400.
The Skinny: price and convenience are pushing me towards the AS, but I'm perceiving Kohler to be a better product, and I've heard their support is better.
Is American Standard a solid - though maybe not spectacular - option? Or will I kick myself? Thanks for your time!