Looking for the perfect toilet piece that can complete the entire look of your bathroom is difficult. You have to consider the space, overall aesthetics, and price point.
But, if you’ve been eyeing Kohler models specifically, you’re already on the right track. So, please stick with us to know more about the two best selling toilets of Kohler. Why do people research Kohler Gleam vs. Valiant toilets, and are they worth the money?
We’re here to break it down for you.
A Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a quick differentiating table between Kohler’s valiant and gleam for our intrigued readers. This concise table will give you a preliminary yet, the entire picture of what’s going down between these two toilets and their respective features.
If you’re in a hurry, this table will also help you with coming to a final decision.
| Specifications | Kohler Gleam | Kohler Valiant |
| Design | Two-piece | Two-piece |
| Bowl Shape | Elongated | Elongated |
| GPF | 1.28 GPF | 1.28 GPF |
| Trap way | 54mm | 54mm |
| Lid | Quiet close technology | Quite close technology |
| Installations | Dry-lock system | Supply line sold separately |
| Available Colors | White | White and biscuit |
| Mounting Style | Floor | Floor |
| Flush Type | Class five | Gravity siphon jet |
| Rim To Water Surface | 149mm | 137mm |
There isn’t much difference between these brands, and rightfully so, as they belong to the same brand.
Some of the distinguishing factors are mostly seen in the features and price points; however, they are still worth mentioning. You can effectively make a quick decision just by taking a gander at this table.
Key Differences Between Kohler Valiant And Gleam
Let’s face it, the diverse factors among these two products are almost negligible. However, stay with us if you want to know more about the minor differences in-depth.
This section will discuss the differences in detail if you wish to make a better-informed decision.
- Installation
As you can already tell, the Gleam toilet by Kohler makes it super easy and quick for users to install the model.
It comes with a patented ready-lock, making the entire installation solution fast and hassle-free.
Moreover, due to this technology, you can eradicate all drilling and heavy labor needs, save more time, and have the most straightforward fix for your skirted toilet.
On the contrary, the Valiant also comes with a ready-lock.
However, you would have to implement floor flanges with this toilet.
The supply lines are also sold separately for this model. So even though the Valiant is also a safe, hassle, and drill-free option, the Gleam has a more straightforward take during installation.
- Flushing System
There isn’t a clear loser or winner in this round. It’s just that both of these toilets have different flushing technology.
The Valiant toilet has a gravity siphon jet and a conventional flushing system with its revolutionary 360 swirling cleaning functionality. It cleans the bowl as required in one go.
On the other hand, the Kohler Gleam toilet offers a class five flushing technology that offers full rinsing power and plug-free cleaning. Both the models use single-flush gravity technology to precisely clean the trap ways, bowls, and tanks.
- Looks And Design
The models have a sleek and glossy exterior. Kohler has always made the best-looking elegant skirting toilet designs, so there’s no doubt that the Gleam and Valiant are no different.
However, even though both of them look almost similar, the Valiant may have a higher potential in this race as it offers two colors, white and biscuit.
So, if you’re looking to avoid the conventional white appearance in your toilet, you can have a unique pick.
- Price
Again, the difference in pricing for the Valiant and Gleam is almost negligible. The Kohler Gleam will cost you a tad more than the Valiant, but then again, the range isn’t eye-widening.
If you’re looking to bag a well above the average toilet at an affordable rate, Valiant may be your perfect choice.
- Mounting Kit
The Kohler Valiant comes with an extensive installation kit that the Gleam doesn’t offer.
In retrospect, the Gleam offers a straightforward installation with a dry lock system that’s super quick.
However, if you decide to install the toilet yourself, you might face some issues while mounting the bowl to the tank.
You would also additionally need a socket wrench to assist you.
The Kohler Valiant takes good care of users in this criteria as it arrives with an all-included kit.
And as if that’s not enough, the price you pay for the product will also include the seat, wax rings, tanks, and everything else promised in the installation kit.
- Rim To Water Surface
These specifications’ discrepancies might not change a whole lot for you. However, it’s wise to point it out anyway. The Valiant offers 137mm rim to water surface distance, whereas the Gleam toilet models offer 149mm water surface to rim distance.
As we’ve already established, this minute contrast doesn’t change the comfort factor for either of these models. Fortunately, both of these products have an elongated bowl shape and design.
Thus, your seating or height comfort will not be hampered by this detail.
Which One Stands Out?
Still unsure about which one to pick? Let us clear up the cloud once and for all. Before suggesting one item between these two, I recommend first looking into your likings, preferences, and required features.
It’s a no-brainer that your confusion will hike even more since the differences between the two models are slim to none.
However, since the features are pretty similar, you could look into the price point, diverse color selection, and ease of installation to bring yourself to a conclusion.
Take the final decision depending on your budget and the needed perceived value to be on the safe side.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If the toilet has two mounted top buttons, the model will push around 0.8 to 1.28 gallons per flush.
With the 0.8 low settings, the dual flushing system saves approximately six thousand gallons of water, whereas traditional toilets utilize about 1.6 gallons.
A Kohler toilet’s average lifespan is around ten to fifteen years, including additional fixtures, wear and tear, and maintenance.
Toilets are used at a stretch, multiple times regularly, and they sure are long-lasting for that amount of usage.
With Kohler toilets, typically, you can replace it every 25 years, after a thorough use. Therefore, you could consider their lifespan to be somewhere around twenty to twenty-five years.
Porcelain toilets actually have an unlimited lifespan. However, it’s mainly the other components that might need replacements.
The symptoms of an ill-functioning toilet involve frequent clogging, cracks, constant repairs, inefficient flushing system, surface deterioration, and mineral build-ups.
When these issues get too frequent, you might ultimately have to replace the toilet.
Conclusion
Everything is laid out for you in this review. Both Valiant and Gleam are excellent choices, so much so that you were confused between the two like the rest of us. We get it.
Since now you know everything about the Kohler Gleam vs. Valiant toilet comparison, we’re sure you can take a pick. However, our preferred Kohler Valiant toilet is long-lasting, affordable, and highly valued.
So splurging on these wouldn’t be the worst decision.
Hi I read you comparison of Gleam vs. Valiant. I am inclined to go for Gleam, but wonder if I should also consider American Standard? Thank you. Both AS and Kohler models (Gleam) I looked at had 10 year guarantees.