Granite is a rock commonly used in construction because of its hardness (more than marble) and durability, mainly to make floor tiles and kitchen countertops. Another advantage of this material is that it is easily found in nature, which makes it cheaper than other materials like marble.

It is a type of rock, frequently grey in colour, that is widely used to cover roofs due to the fact that it usually forms thin sheets.

Cement is a binder material made from a mixture of milestone and clay that is heated at very high temperatures. Usually, cement is not used on its own, but mixed with sand, water and sometimes little stones (called gravel). That mixture is known as concrete, and it is currently the most used material worldwide. It is also, together with steel, the most commonly used material in the construction of buildings.

Is the material usually used to manufacture bricks and roof tiles, as well as lots of tableware. It is made from clay and little amounts of other components that are fired at relatively low temperatures, of about 1000-1200ºC.

The composition of stoneware is similar to that of earthenware, but in this case the temperatures at which it is fired are between 1100-1300ºC. This fact makes stoneware a non-porous material that does not soak up liquids. It is also a harder and more durable material than earthenware.

This is the highest quality ceramic and therefore the one that is fired at the highest temperatures (of 1200-1400ºC). This material, which was developed in China more than 1000 years ago, requires a special type of clay to achieve its white color and smooth surface.

Although this material has a different composition than the rest of ceramics, it can be included in this group because of its similarities. Glass is made by melting sand at very high temperatures (around 1500ºC) that then hardens during its cooling.