Toilet Flange Types - Which Should You Use?

Installing or replacing a toilet? One important but often overlooked part is the toilet flange. This connecting piece creates a tight seal between the toilet and the drainpipe in your floor, ensuring waste can flow out properly. With several toilet flange types available, it's essential to choose the right one for your bathroom's needs.

You'll learn the pros and cons of each along with recommendations for when to use them. Let's dive in!

What Is a Toilet Flange?

A toilet flange, also called a closet flange, is a connecting piece that fits over the drain opening. Flanges are usually secured to the floor and have holes to accommodate closet bolts that hold the toilet in place.

When installed properly, toilet flanges create a tight seal between the toilet and drainpipe. This prevents leaks and helps keeps sewer gases from escaping into the bathroom. Having the right flange for your toilet type and flooring is critical.

Brass Toilet Flanges

What Are Brass Toilet Flanges?

As the name implies, brass toilet flanges are made entirely from brass material. Brass is a durable metal alloy comprised of copper and zinc.

Brass flanges come in three main styles:

• Standard flanges: These basic flanges are flat and sit flush with the floor.
• Deep-seal flanges: Extend 3-4 inches below floor level to accommodate deeper waste lines.
• Offset (or tornado) flanges: Designed for toilets close to walls. The bolt slots are offset to provide room for bolts.

These heavy-duty flanges are available in both 3" and 4" outlet sizes to match your toilet's drain opening.

Benefits of Brass Flanges

Here are some of the advantages brass toilet flanges offer:

• Durability: Brass is highly durable, with impressive strength and a long lifespan. These robust flanges can last for decades.
• Corrosion resistance: Brass holds up well against moisture, condensation, and water exposure common in bathrooms.
• Stability: The thickness and weight of brass flanges provide maximum stability for your toilet.

Downsides of Brass Flanges

On the downside:

• Brass flanges are quite heavy, making them harder to handle and install.
• Brass can slowly oxidize over time when exposed to air, causing discoloration.

When to Use a Brass Toilet Flange

Here are some of the best times to use a brass flange:

• In high-traffic bathrooms that need a super durable flange.
• When installing an extra-heavy or commercial toilet.
• For bathrooms exposed to lots of moisture, like those with a shower.
• In corrosion-prone areas such as coastal climates.

Plastic Toilet Flanges

What Are Plastic Toilet Flanges?

Plastic toilet flanges are economical flanges constructed of plastic polymers. The two main types are:

• PVC flanges - Made of polyvinyl chloride plastic.
• ABS flanges - Made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic.

These lightweight flanges come in two outlet sizes - 3" and 4". Some feature an attached plastic or metal ring around the outlet.

Benefits of Plastic Flanges

Plastic flanges offer these advantages:

• Low cost - Plastic is an inexpensive material, making these the most budget-friendly flanges.
• Lightweight - Easy for one person to maneuver during DIY installation.
• Simple installation - Many plastic flanges can be installed without tools.

Downsides of Plastic Flanges

The drawbacks of plastic flanges include:

• Not as durable or stable as metal flanges.
• More prone to warping and leaks over time.

When to Use a Plastic Toilet Flange

Plastic toilet flanges work best in these scenarios:

• Basic residential use for single or low-use bathrooms.
• Rental units and other temporary toilet installations.
• DIYers on a tight budget.

Cast Iron Toilet Flanges

What Are Cast Iron Toilet Flanges?

Cast iron flanges are made entirely of cast iron - an alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon. They contain a higher percentage of carbon compared to mild steel.

These heavyweight flanges are exclusively designed to mate with cast iron drain pipes. Many older homes built before 1960 have cast iron plumbing.

Benefits of Cast Iron Flanges

Cast iron flanges offer supreme durability:

• Withstand very heavy toilets without shifting or rocking.
• Extremely resistant to corrosion and rust.
• Often last 50 years or more.

Downsides of Cast Iron Flanges

The disadvantages are:

• Very thick and extremely heavy, making installation challenging.
• Raising the flange to floor level requires time and expertise.

When to Use a Cast Iron Toilet Flange

Cast iron flanges are recommended when:

• Mating with existing cast iron drain pipes.
• Installing extra-heavy commercial toilets.
• Seeking a flange that will last for decades.

Copper Toilet Flanges

What Are Copper Toilet Flanges?

Copper toilet flanges contain 99% copper metal. They come in two main types:

• Rigid copper - Harder temper that holds its shape.
• Flexible soft copper - Easy to bend and manipulate by hand.

Copper flanges resist corrosion and last a very long time. They are soldered to copper drain pipes.

Benefits of Copper Flanges

Here are the notable benefits of copper flanges:

• Excellent corrosion resistance. Does not rust or rot over time.
• Soft copper allows flexible on-site adjustments.
• Suitable for custom bent drain connections.

Downsides of Copper Flanges

Some potential copper flange drawbacks include:

• Higher material cost than plastic or iron.
• Requires soldering tools and expertise to install.
• Rigid copper can be difficult to bend without special tools.

When to Use a Copper Toilet Flange

Ideal times to opt for a copper flange:

• When joining to copper drain pipes.
• In locations prone to corrosion.
• For adjustable installations using soft copper.

Other Toilet Flange Types

Some less common toilet flange types include:

• Aluminum - Very lightweight yet strong. Resists corrosion.
• Stainless steel - Won't rust or oxidize. Provides extreme durability.
• Lead - Historical option no longer used today due to toxicity.

While not as prevalent as the main options we covered, these specialty flanges have ideal applications in certain installations.

How to Choose the Right Toilet Flange

Selecting the optimal toilet flange involves considering:

• Type of drain pipe (cast iron, PVC, etc).
• Pipe size - 3" or 4" outlet.
• Permanence - short or long-term use.
• Toilet weight and water pressure.
• Potential for leaks or corrosion.
• Ease of installation.

For residential bathrooms, plastic and brass flanges are common choices. In commercial settings, brass, cast iron, and steel flanges withstand heavy use.

Matching your flange to the drain pipe material avoids adaptors. While plastic flanges are simpler for DIY, metal types are worth the effort for longevity and leak prevention in high-use bathrooms.

When in doubt, consult a professional plumber to ensure proper flange selection and installation.

Installing a properly fitted, high-quality toilet flange ensures your toilet stays securely mounted. While often overlooked, the flange plays a critical role in directing waste into the drain and avoiding messy leaks.

Brass, plastic, cast iron, and copper flanges each offer their own pros and cons. Match the flange design to your bathroom's needs and plumbing setup for optimal performance. And don't hesitate to call a plumber for guidance choosing the ideal flange for your next toilet installation or replacement.