Ceramic vs Porcelain Tile: What Coral Breeze Uses

Ceramic vs porcelain tile comes down to how much water the tile soaks up. Porcelain is denser and soaks up very little. Ceramic is fired at a lower heat and soaks up a bit more. At Coral Breeze, Lennar's features list for the Solea twin homes names ceramic tile for the bathroom floors, the shower walls and the shower floors. This guide explains the difference, what it means for a Coral Breeze bathroom, and how to care for it.

Ceramic vs Porcelain Tile: The Short Answer

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) explains the official line. It says, "Standards define porcelain tile as an impervious tile with a water absorption of 0.5% or less, as measured by the ASTM C373 test method."

So:

Porcelain = water absorption of 0.5% or less, by the standard test.
Ceramic = the wider group of fired clay tile. Tile that soaks up more than that is not porcelain.

MSI, a large tile seller, puts it simply: "Both are made from clay, which is then fired in a kiln."

How They Are Made

MSI says, "Ceramic tile is also produced from clay but of a coarser quality than porcelain. Like porcelain, ceramic tiles undergo a firing process; however, they are fired at lower temperatures."

Finer clay and more heat make porcelain denser. That is why it soaks up less water.

Which Is Stronger?

MSI says, "Porcelain tile takes the lead in durability."

That does not mean ceramic is a poor choice. MSI also says ceramic "may be better suited for indoor applications where moisture exposure is limited." A bathroom is indoors, and the shower is where water exposure is highest, so keep the shower clean and dry between uses.

The Test Behind the Label

The water test has a name. It is ASTM C373. An ASTM article written by TCNA says, "Only tiles with water absorption of 0.5% or less, when tested per C373, can be deemed porcelain by the Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA)."

The same article says this test "is the determining factor for whether a ceramic tile is considered porcelain or not". In other words, porcelain is a type of ceramic tile that passes a stricter water test.

One Warning About Labels

Not every tile sold as porcelain meets the standard. TCNA says, "However, there are many instances in which entities advertise and sell tile not meeting this standard as porcelain tile."

The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) certifies tile that meets the porcelain standard, as TCNA's page explains. If you ever buy porcelain tile for an upgrade, ask whether it is certified.

What Coral Breeze Bathrooms Use

Lennar's features list for the Sonora and Marin includes:

12-inch by 12-inch ceramic tile in all bathroom floors and shower walls
6-inch by 6-inch ceramic tile in shower floors

Here is what those sizes mean:

Spot	Tile size	Grout lines
Bath floors and shower walls	12 x 12 inches	Fewer, because each tile is larger
Shower floors	6 x 6 inches	More, because each tile is smaller

Stand in the model shower and see how the floor feels to you.

The list we read does not name the flooring for the first-floor living areas of the Solea plans. It does list "Plush stain resistant carpeting with padding in a choice of decorator colors". Ask the sales team which rooms get tile and which get carpet in the plan you pick.

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How the Tile Fits With the Rest of the Bathroom

Coral Breeze bathrooms pair the ceramic tile with cultured marble countertops. That pairing matters for cleaning.

ARSTAR, a cultured marble maker, says to "Never use tile-specific cleaners (they often contain harsh acids not meant for gel coat)". So the cleaner you use on your tile may harm your counter. Keep two cleaners, and do not let the tile cleaner drip on the vanity top. Read how to care for cultured marble counters for more.

The kitchen uses a different surface: solid surface counters. Our solid surface countertop explainer covers that material.

Caring for Ceramic Tile

These tips are basic, low-risk habits for any glazed ceramic tile:

Sweep or vacuum floors often. Grit scratches the glaze over time.
Mop with warm water and a mild cleaner. Check the label says it is safe for tile.
Dry the shower walls. A quick wipe or squeegee after a shower slows soap scum.
Watch the grout. Grout is where stains and mildew start. Clean it gently.
Read the care guide. Ask the sales team for the care papers that come with your home.

Tile and Grout Over the Years

Tile can last a long time, but grout needs care. Grout lines are small and can hold dirt. Clean them gently and often, and dry the shower after use.

Should You Upgrade to Porcelain?

That is your call. Here are the questions to ask:

Does Lennar offer a porcelain option for this plan?
Which rooms can be changed?
What is the price difference?
Does a change affect the closing timeline?

If the answer is no upgrades, ceramic tile in a bathroom is a common, normal choice. Focus on the layout instead.

Which Coral Breeze Bathroom Is Which?

The two Solea plans set up their bathrooms differently. The Marin has a powder room downstairs and three full baths upstairs. The Sonora has a full bath on every floor. See how the powder room changes the Marin and Sonora.

Questions for Your Design Visit

Bring these questions when you pick finishes:

Which tile colors can I choose for the bathrooms?
Can I change the shower wall tile layout?
What flooring goes in the living room, kitchen and stairs of this plan?
Which grout color hides stains best?
Do you include any extra tiles for future repairs?

Extra tiles from the same batch make it easier to fix one cracked tile later.

Check the Tile Before Closing

Before you close, walk the home and look at every tile. Look for cracks, chips, uneven tiles and missing grout. Many buyers hire their own inspector for this. Our guide on whether to hire an inspector for a new home explains how that works.

The Bottom Line on Tile

Coral Breeze bathrooms use ceramic tile, per Lennar's list. Porcelain is denser and passes a stricter water test. Both are clay tiles fired in a kiln. Good care is what keeps any tile bathroom looking its best over the years.

Price

Lennar's starting prices put the Solea twin homes at Coral Breeze in the high $400,000s. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers.

Common Questions

What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain tile?

Porcelain tile has a water absorption of 0.5% or less under the ASTM C373 test, according to TCNA. Ceramic tile is fired at lower heat from coarser clay and soaks up more water.

Is porcelain tile stronger than ceramic?

MSI, a large tile seller, says porcelain tile takes the lead in durability because it is denser.

What tile is in Coral Breeze bathrooms?

Lennar lists 12-by-12-inch ceramic tile on bathroom floors and shower walls, and 6-by-6-inch ceramic tile on shower floors, for the Solea plans.

Is all tile sold as porcelain really porcelain?

Not always. TCNA says some tile sold as porcelain does not meet the standard. Ask if it is certified.

Can I use my tile cleaner on the bathroom counter?

Be careful. ARSTAR says tile-specific cleaners often contain harsh acids not meant for the gel coat on cultured marble.

What tile is on the Coral Breeze shower floors?

Lennar lists 6-by-6-inch ceramic tile on shower floors and 12-by-12-inch ceramic tile on shower walls for the Solea plans.

See the Tile Up Close

Feel the shower floor and look at the grout lines yourself. Call 561-704-0091 or request a Coral Breeze model home visit. You can also see Coral Breeze bathroom details by plan.