When it comes to fixtures, if you are renovating a bathroom or building a new one, you probably want the highest value for the cash you are spending. Two very popular brands in the world of toilets, tubs, sinks, and everything in between are Duravit and Kohler.
So, between the two, which one should you choose?
A Brief History of Duravit and Kohler
In the grand scheme of things, Duravit is one of the very oldest and most trusted brands in the world of bathroom fixtures, if not the very oldest. Duravit as a company was started back in 1817, which makes it well over 200 years old. Georg Friedrich Horn is the man who first founded this brand, and he did so in the Black Forest, Germany.
The company started out making simple earthenware products, or in other words, things made mostly of clay and other such things, but then quickly transitioned over to bathroom fixtures as indoor plumbing became more prevalent in households. Duravit, for a very long time, focused exclusively on the production of porcelain bathroom fixtures, but has also diversified and started using other materials too.
Duravit is a massive brand, and its products can be found in well over 130 countries across the world, making it one of the most widespread bathroom brands on the planet. At this point in time, Duravit has around 6,500 employees, with estimated annual revenues totaling somewhere around 600 million dollars.
On the other hand, we have Kohler, which interestingly enough, is also very old. Kohler was first founded by John Kohler in 1873, thus making it around 150 years old. Unlike Duravit, which is German, Kohler is an American brand. That said, it is safe to assume that John Kohler has German ancestry, as Kohler is a German name.
At this time, Kohler is headquartered in Wisconsin, USA.
In 1883, John Kohler took an old and beat-down cast iron horse water trough and coated it with a layer of enamel, thus creating the very first bathtub to be sold by the Kohler brand. It was praised for its amazing quality, durability, and shelf life.
At this time, Kohler is one of the leading and most popular makers of bathroom products in the world. It currently has around 32,000 employees with estimated annual revenues totaling roughly 6 billion dollars.
Duravit vs. Kohler: Which Offers Better Quality?
In terms of product quality, Duravit is regarded as one of the highest quality brands of bathroom fixtures worldwide. There is a reason why this company has not only survived for over 200 years, but also thrived. It is because the quality level of the bathroom fixtures is not often matched by any other brand.
Duravit bathroom fixtures are regarded as being some of the most stylish and fashionable in the world. That said, they are not only great looking, but also very convenient and comfortable, durable, long-lasting, and highly functional.
One of the reasons for all of this is because Duravit has been known to employ some truly amazing designers, such as Philippe Starck.
Duravit products are so high in quality arguably because the majority of them are made in German and French factories. Duravit does also make some products in Tunisia, Egypt, India, and China, but even these appear to be quite high in quality. Of course, with this high level of quality also comes high prices.
Just like Duravit, Kohler is also regarded as being one of the highest quality brands in the world of bathroom fixtures. You won’t find many complaints about this brand, as most people agree that the majority of products are comfortable, fashionable, functional, and durable.
People appear to be happy with both the quality of Kohler products and the large selection of them. These products are seen to be ideal for both commercial and residential use. The old adage holds true here. You get what you pay for, and by this, we mean that with Kohler, you get very high-quality products, but of course, they are not cheap by any means.
Kohler does make some of its products in Mexico, India, and China. However, the majority of Kohler products are manufactured in various facilities in the USA, including in Wisconsin, Texas, South Carolina, and Arkansas. The locations produce goods such as toilets, faucets, sinks, and more.
All of that said, Kohler does appear to be moving more of its production outside of the USA as the years go by.
Which Offers a Better Warranty?
Kohler’s warranty information has proved difficult to find, but from what we have gathered, Kohler offers lifetime warranties on mechanical parts, cartridges, and vibrant finishes.
From what we can tell, Duravit does offer decent warranties. It offers five-year warranties for ceramic items, two-year warranties for toilet seats, furniture, acrylics, and cisterns, and twelve-month warranties for parts on seals and washers.
Duravit vs. Kohler: Which Has a Better Product Portfolio?
One thing that can be said right off the bat is that while Duravit is a great brand, it does focus on bathroom fixtures exclusively, things like toilets, showers, tubs, bidets, sinks, faucets, and other such things.
On the other hand, Kohler is much more diverse, as this brand produces all of those things that Duravit produces, but also makes and sells bathroom and kitchen lighting, as well as kitchen fixtures.
Therefore, Kohler does have a better product portfolio.
Which Brand Offers a Better Selection of Toilets?
When it comes down to it, although Kohler does have a more diverse array of products, when it comes to toilets, Duravit has many, many times more to offer.
Which Brand Offers a Better Selection of Bathtubs?
When it comes to bathtubs, the selection offered by Duravit is quite impressive, although it does seem that Kohler has far more to offer in this department.
Which of the Two Brands Should You Choose?
Quite honestly, making a recommendation here is not easy, because both brands are very high in quality and quite expensive too.
Now, Duravit does tend to be better if you are focused on the bathroom alone, and if you like great warranties. However, Kohler is no slouch in the bathroom department, and they also produce lots of great kitchen fixtures and lighting too.
Summary
At the end of the day, both Duravit and Kohler are top-notch brands that produce expensive products with amazing levels of quality.
As such, whichever way you go, you cannot go wrong.