Vortens Cascade Two-Piece Compact Elongated 1.28 GPF Toilet

The Vortens Cascade positioning — the compact-elongated value option

The Vortens Cascade (model 3475) addresses a specific tradeoff in residential bathroom design: full elongated bowls (18.5" front-to-back) are more comfortable but project too far for tight bathrooms; round-front bowls (16.5") fit tight spaces but are less comfortable for adult use. The Cascade's compact-elongated bowl (18" front-to-back) bridges this gap — 0.5" shorter than full elongated, 1.5" longer than round-front, with elongated-bowl comfort proportions.

At $149-$199, the Cascade is the value-tier answer to the compact-elongated form factor. It competes with Kohler Cimarron Compact Elongated ($210-$290), AmStd Cadet 3 Compact ($210-$280), and TOTO Drake II compact ($310-$400) — but at meaningfully lower price. The Cascade is rarely chosen for new construction; it's typically a replacement scenario where an existing round-front toilet is being upgraded to elongated-feel comfort in a bathroom where full elongated won't fit.

The compact-elongated dimension — what 0.5" actually buys you

The Cascade's compact-elongated bowl works in bathrooms with 41"-43" of depth from wall to opposing fixture (vanity, shower wall, opposite-wall door). In bathrooms with less than 41" depth, the Cascade still won't fit — round-front (16.5") is required.

The 0.5" reduction from full elongated to compact-elongated also creates a slightly smaller seat opening. Most adult users don't notice the difference; users in the 6'2"+ height range sometimes report the compact bowl feels noticeably less comfortable than full elongated.

The Cascade variant matrix

What's in the box

• Tank with pre-installed 3-inch flush valve + Fluidmaster-pattern fill valve
• Compact-elongated bowl (18"), pre-drilled for 12" rough-in
• Tank-to-bowl gasket and brass bolts
• Chrome trip lever
• Wax ring NOT included
• SoftClose seat NOT included — choose 18" compact-elongated specific seat (Bemis 1200E or 1500E with proper alignment)
• Installation manual (English + Spanish)

Critical seat compatibility consideration

The Cascade's compact-elongated bowl uses a non-standard seat dimension — 18" front-to-back vs 18.5" for full elongated. Many aftermarket seats labeled "elongated" are sized for 18.5" full elongated bowls and will overhang the Cascade's compact bowl edge.

For proper fit, choose:

• Bemis 1200E (18" compact-elongated specific)
• Kohler Brevia K-4639-0 (universal compact-elongated fit)
• Vortens-branded replacement seat (Vortens 9512, sold through Home Depot SKU)

Avoid generic "elongated" seats at Walmart or Target — they're sized for 18.5" full elongated and may overhang by 0.5-0.75" on the Cascade.

Install requirements

• Rough-in: 12 inches (standard).
• Weight: ~78 lbs total (tank ~30, bowl ~48). Two-person install for bowl.
• Universal fill valve shank (Fluidmaster pattern) — universal parts service path.
• Standard two-piece install procedure — same as 3464.

What owners report

• The compact-elongated dimension is the value proposition — owners specifically mention "fits my small bathroom where the full elongated wouldn't, but still has the elongated feel."
• The 0.5" reduction is noticeable in tight bathrooms — owners replacing a round-front with the Cascade report the bowl projects 1.5" further into the floor space than the prior round-front.
• Flush performance matches the 3464 at MaP 800g.
• Seat selection is the install gotcha — owners who buy generic elongated seats from Walmart/Target later return them after discovering the overhang issue.
• Service life: 15-20 years porcelain for current production.
• Home Depot inventory outside Sun Belt is limited — typically special-order 5-7 days lead time in Northeast/Pacific Northwest stores.

Cascade vs compact-elongated competition

The verdict

Buy Cascade if:

• Your bathroom has 41-43" of depth — compact-elongated fits, full elongated won't
• You want elongated-feel comfort over round-front but at value-tier pricing
• You're already buying at Home Depot in a Sun Belt market
• Lifetime porcelain warranty is worth the value-tier brand tradeoff

Skip and choose Vortens 3464 (full elongated) if:

• Your bathroom has 43"+ depth — full elongated provides slightly better comfort
• $20-$30 savings matters
• You want the most widely-stocked Vortens SKU

Skip and choose Vortens 3414 (round-front) if:

• Bathroom depth is under 41" — round-front is the only fit
• $40-$50 savings matters

Warranty

Vortens Cascade warranty: Lifetime on porcelain (original purchaser), 1 year on tank trim, 1 year on accessories.

Pricing reality (2026)

Cascade 3475 (White): $149-$179 at US Home Depot Sun Belt locations. Outside Sun Belt: typically special-order $169-$209. Right-hand trip lever variant +$10-$15.