If you are in the market for a new toilet, you may have noticed that 14” rough-in toilets are more expensive than 12” ones.
But why is this the case?
The reason lies in the law of supply and demand along with a couple of other things.
In this post, I’ll dive into the reasons behind why 14-inch rough-in toilets are expensive, and break down the factors that contribute.
There are 3 reasons why 14” rough in toilets are more expensive:
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Let me explain these:
The biggest reason why 14” rough-in toilets are expensive is due to market demand.
The 14” rough-in measurement is very uncommon. Most residential bathrooms are made to accommodate a 12” rough-in, which has been the industry standard for decades.
Only a very few bathrooms are designed for the 14” rough-in size.
This leads to reduced market demand and fewer toilet model options available at that size.
Because of this low demand, manufacturers do not make them in big batches, which means higher costs to make them and keep profits up.
So manufacturers have to charge more per unit to cover their costs and make a profit.
Retailers may also charge a premium for 14” rough in toilets due to their limited availability and higher demand from consumers who specifically require this toilet size.
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Many 14-inch rough-in toilets are more durable, made with better materials, and have fancier features than your standard 12-inch models.
These toilets use top-notch materials like vitreous china, enameled surfaces, and stainless steel hinges. They often come with more powerful and efficient flush valve systems too.
Since these features are usually seen on fancy, high-end toilets, they come with a higher price tag to match their quality build.
Plus, the niche market allows manufacturers to position 14” models as top-tier products in their lineup.
So the performance enhancements and luxurious materials used on many 14” rough-in toilets make them expensive.
And it also raises their status as high-quality toilets.
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Apart from that, specialized designs like these requires additional R&D expense, custom molds and tooling, and testing – which all contribute to driving up manufacturing costs
The 14” rough-in toilets require more raw materials to manufacture. The elongated bowl and wider base require more vitreous china, increasing production costs.
These toilets also often use more robust internal parts and flush valve systems to accommodate the specialized dimensions.
Things like wider flush valves, customized connector pipes, and longer mounting bolts drive up material expenses.
Plus, the availability of these custom parts might be lower too.
So the additional materials needed to engineer and produce the 14” models is a key factor in their higher retail pricing.
The main difference between a 12 inch and 14 inch rough-in toilet is the distance from the wall to the center of the waste pipe outlet.
Apart from that, 12 inch is the most common size for toilets in the United States and Canada.
It is also known as a standard rough-in.
The 14 inch is less common like I said, and is typically found in older homes.
That said, if you are replacing an existing toilet, you will need to purchase a toilet with the same rough-in distance as the old toilet.
Otherwise, you may need to modify the plumbing in your bathroom.
Yes, 14-inch rough-in toilets can comply with ADA requirements.
ADA compliance is more about the design and accessibility features of the toilet rather than the rough-in size itself.
It’s the specific toilet model and its overall dimensions that matter.
So, check the product specification of the 14-inch rough-in toilet model you buy!
FAQs
A 14-inch rough-in toilet can also be more comfortable to use, as it provides more space between the toilet tank and the wall.
This additional space can make it easier to clean the toilet and access the tank components.
Plus, a 14-inch rough-in toilet must be used if a 12-inch rough-in toilet won’t fit, such as in older homes or buildings with non-standard plumbing.
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