Delta Toilet vs American Standard: Unveiling the Best Bathroom Fixture Choice

When it comes to selecting a toilet for your bathroom, two prominent brands stand out: Delta and American Standard. Having worked extensively with bathroom fixtures, I’ve seen firsthand how the choice between these two can hinge on various factors. Delta offers a strong heritage of quality and innovation since its founding in 1954, recognized mostly for their faucet lines.

American Standard, with its origins tracing back to 1875, has a longer history in the plumbing industry and is considered a go-to brand for many when choosing reliable bathroom fixtures. Their toilets are notable for a blend of efficiency, durability, and design. Whether renovating your bathroom or making minor updates, selecting the right toilet involves balancing aspects like water usage, flushing technology, and overall aesthetics.

Design and Features

When selecting between Delta and American Standard toilets, it’s crucial to consider design and features that align with your needs. I’ll take you through the practical aspects of toilet styles, materials, flushing technology, and comfort features that each brand offers.

Toilet Styles

Delta: Offers mainly two-piece toilets which make for easier handling and potential DIY installation. They are often less expensive than one-piece models.
American Standard: Provides a variety of one-piece and two-piece toilets. One-piece toilets have a sleek design, are easier to clean and eliminate the seam between the tank and bowl that can harbor dirt and grime.

Materials and Durability

Both Delta and American Standard toilets are typically made from vitreous china, a ceramic material that’s durable and easy to clean. Their surfaces are often coated with a glaze to minimize staining and bacterial growth, contributing to their longevity.

Comfort and Seat Height

Comfort is a priority for both brands, with features like elongated bowl shapes that offer more room and comfort. They also offer toilets that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, featuring a chair-height seat of about 17-19 inches, which appeals to people of all ages and abilities.

Flushing Technology

Delta and American Standard toilets often come with the WaterSense label, ensuring high-efficiency and low water consumption without sacrificing performance. American Standard frequently incorporates their proprietary flush mechanism that provides power and effectiveness, while Delta toilets may boast options like dual flush, giving you control over water usage.

In summary, design and features vary between Delta and American Standard toilets, with each offering distinctive elements in toilet styles, materials, flushing technology, and comfort. Selecting the right fit depends on prioritizing these aspects based on personal preference.

Efficiency and Water Conservation

In my experience as a specialist in efficient home fixtures, the choice of toilets significantly impacts water usage and conservation efforts. Here’s what I’ve learned about Delta and American Standard toilets.

Water Usage

• Delta Toilets: Often designed with WaterSense certification, using no more than 1.28 gallons per flush (gpf).
• American Standard Toilets: Provide options that also meet WaterSense standards and typically use about 1.6 gpf.

Delta has developed several models aiming for water efficiency without sacrificing performance. American Standard similarly offers toilets with low water consumption, usually adhering to the federal standard.

Environmental Impact

From my investigation, toilets that consume less water contribute positively to environmental protection. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Delta Toilets: Pressure-assisted models can reduce water usage, lessening the environmental impact.
• American Standard Toilets: Some models feature a gravity flush system to minimize water use effectively.

Both brands’ efforts in reducing flush water volume demonstrate a commitment to environmental conservation.

Certifications and Compliance

Working with these products has shown me the importance of certifications:

• WaterSense Certification: Specifies toilets that are 20% more water-efficient than average models. Both Delta and American Standard offer numerous toilets with this certification.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Sets the standard for water efficiency. Compliance ensures toilets meet a strict criterion for water usage.

Furthermore, my professional budgeting tips suggest that investing in water-efficient toilets can lead to long-term savings on water bills. This is both practical and environmentally responsible.

Installation and Maintenance

When comparing Delta and American Standard toilets, I find that installation and maintenance considerations are paramount for long-term satisfaction. I’ll outline clear and practical advice on these aspects, drawing from my extensive plumbing and installation experience.

Ease of Installation

Delta Toilets: Typically come with a detailed installation guide, which I’ve found straightforward during installations. The mounting hardware is usually included, and the designs often accommodate standard plumbing systems. For those who are not professional plumbers, I recommend following the manufacturer’s guide closely or considering professional installation to ensure a proper fit and to avoid leaks.

American Standard Toilets: They have a reputation for being relatively easy to install. Most models come with EZ-Install tools and a speed connect system, which can significantly cut down installation time. The wax ring, which is essential for a secure and airtight connection to the floor flange, is also typically included with the product.

Brand	Ease of Installation
Delta	Detailed guide; standard fit
American Standard	EZ-Install; quick connect

Cleaning and Upkeep

Delta: These toilets often feature smooth, sleek designs which makes them easier to clean. However, watch out for models with intricate crevices, as they can harbor grime and require more detailed scrubbing.

American Standard: Renowned for their EverClean surface, many of their toilets inhibit the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria. This makes cleaning less frequent and less labor-intensive. Its one-piece toilets are particularly easy to maintain, as there are fewer spots for bacteria to hide.

Feature	Delta	American Standard
Design	Smooth, sleek	EverClean surface
Maintenance Frequency	Regular	Less frequent
Crevices and Bacteria Accumulation	More on intricate designs	Less likely on one-piece designs

Repair and Parts Accessibility

Delta Faucet Company: Focused more on faucets and showers, repair parts for Delta toilets can sometimes be less accessible than their other hardware. However, quality is above standard, which may reduce the frequency of necessary repairs.

American Standard: Offers a wide range of available parts, which I’ve found easy to replace when needed. The toilets are designed to last, and their parts are generally accessible via both the company’s supply chain and aftermarket vendors.

Aspect	Delta	American Standard
Focus	Faucets and showers	Comprehensive plumbing
Parts Accessibility	Average	High
Repair Frequency	Lower with high quality	Depending on model

In my professional practice, I’ve ensured that every installation is carried out with precision to avoid common issues down the line, regardless of the brand. Both Delta and American Standard offer quality products, but your choice may ultimately come down to personal preference, existing plumbing compatibility, and the specific model’s design features.

Brand Reliability and Customer Service

When comparing Delta and American Standard, both brands emphasize reliable products and supportive customer service. In my professional experience, this foundation plays a critical role in a consumer’s satisfaction with their purchase.

Warranty and Support

Delta Faucet Company: I’ve found that Delta often provides a Limited Lifetime Warranty for their faucets, demonstrating confidence in their product quality. Their warranty generally covers finish and parts defects for the original consumer, but it doesn’t include electronic components, which are typically covered for five years.

• Warranty Coverage:
  • Faucets: Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Electronic Components: 5 years

American Standard (formerly Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company): American Standard also strongly stands behind its products, extending a similar Limited Lifetime Warranty to their faucets. This brand has longevity that I’ve noticed customers trust, having been in the industry for over 140 years, which can be reassuring to buyers.

• Warranty Coverage:
  • Faucets: Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Warranties: Comprehensive, aligning with industry standards

Consumer Ratings and Reports

Based on my knowledge and reports, consumer ratings for both Delta and American Standard are typically high, especially when it comes to faucets and toilet fixtures. While Kohler and Glacier Bay are also prominent in the industry, Delta and American Standard consistently receive strong consumer feedback for their durable fixtures and reliable customer support.

• Consumer Reports:
  • Delta: Often praised for innovative designs and quality faucets.
  • American Standard: Known for classic styles and functionality.

Consumer Reports and my own evaluations agree that both Delta and American Standard hold up well in terms of product quality when compared within the market and against other brands such as Kohler and Glacier Bay. This consumer trust is backed by the warranties offered by both companies, adding value to their products.