Bathroom fixtures account for 25–40% of a bathroom renovation budget and set the tone for the entire space. With hundreds of options at every price point, it's easy to over-spend or miss practical considerations. This guide covers every fixture you need to specify, with Canadian pricing and practical buying advice.
| Category | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | $200–$2,000 | Dual-flush toilets are standard in Canada and required by code in some provinces. Comfort-height (17–19") is the most popular. Toto, Kohler, and American Standard are the top-selling brands. TOTO Drake is the most-recommended mid-range toilet in Canada. |
| Vanity and sink | $400–$5,000 | Measure rough-in plumbing carefully before ordering. Standard vanity heights are 32" (traditional) and 36" (comfort). Undermount sinks require solid stone or thick countertops. Floating vanities require blocking in the wall — plan during framing. |
| Faucets | $120–$1,200 | Match finish to other hardware (towel bars, toilet paper holder). Brushed nickel, matte black, and chrome are the most popular. Delta and Moen offer excellent warranties and Canadian service network. |
| Shower system (valve + head) | $300–$3,000 | Rough-in the valve before tiling — it must be in the wall before tiles go up. Thermostatic valves maintain constant temperature and are worth the upgrade. Pressure-balancing valves are required by code. |
| Bathtub or freestanding tub | $500–$8,000 | Freestanding tubs are popular but impractical as the only tub in a family home — cleaning behind them is difficult. Alcove tub with shower is the most functional for a main bathroom. Check floor load capacity for cast iron tubs. |
| Shower door or enclosure | $500–$3,000 | Frameless glass enclosures are the premium option and easiest to clean. Semi-frameless are good value. Shower curtains on rod are the budget option — fine in secondary bathrooms. |
Toilet rough-in (distance from wall to drain) is typically 12" in Canadian homes but can be 10" or 14" in older homes. Order the wrong toilet and you can't return it without a restocking fee.
Most Canadian provinces mandate dual-flush or 4.8L max flush toilets. Check your municipality's requirements. WaterSense-certified products may qualify for rebates through your local utility.
Specialty vanities, freestanding tubs, and custom shower glass have 4–10 week lead times. Confirm availability before committing to a project timeline.
Matte black, brushed nickel, and polished chrome are the easiest finishes to match across brands. Avoid mixing finishes within the same bathroom.
12" is the standard rough-in in most Canadian homes built after 1980. Older homes may have 10" or 14" rough-in. Measure from the finished wall (not the baseboard) to the centre of the floor drain before purchasing.
For primary bathrooms, heated seats and bidet features (like TOTO Washlet or Kohler Novita) are considered luxury features that some Canadian buyers value. For secondary bathrooms, standard dual-flush toilets are the practical choice.
Standard bathroom vanities range from 24" to 72" wide. Ensure there's at least 21" of clearance in front of the vanity and that the door doesn't swing into it. For double sinks, 60" is the minimum comfortable width.
Canadian plumbing code requires pressure-balancing shower valves (protection from scalding when a toilet flushes). Thermostatic valves offer more precise temperature control and are worth upgrading to in primary bathrooms.
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