Granite-Tops selected as a Vetrazzo distributor and fabricator.

Vetrazzo... the original recycled glass surface

For a decade now, Vetrazzo® has created dazzling surfaces in places where people live, work and play all across the country.

With Vetrazzo Surfaces you can express both your styles and your respect for the earth without compromise. Vetrazzo is 85% glass, and all the glass we use is recycled - so it really is good for the environment.

Exquisitely repurposed glass

Vetrazzo® takes discarded glass like…decommissioned traffic lights … windshields … used bottles … plate glass windows…and transforms it into an exquisite work of art that is the centerpiece of your living, working or playing spaces.

Imagine a green world

When we say “green,” we’re not talking about the color…

The definition of green that we like is that green products solve an environmental problem.

Vetrazzo surfaces give you an alternative to using non-renewable resources (like virgin granite, for example), and provides a new market for recycled glass, including glass that cannot be recycled elsewhere. Even reusing glass to create bottles or fiberglass comes with a HUGE energy cost.

Vetrazzo’s artful surfaces are incredibly strong, durable, and a joy to live with, now and for a long, long time.

 
Caring for Vetrazzo

Caring for Vetrazzo surfaces is easy and comparable to caring for natural stone. The following are suggestions for keeping your Vetrazzo as gorgeous as when it was first installed. 

Sealants are used on a variety of surfaces such as granite, concrete and Vetrazzo to create a barrier to common household staining agents like red wine and coffee. When your Vetrazzo is fabricated and installed by an Authorized Vetrazzo Fabricator, this sealant will be applied during installation in your home.

We recommend you re-apply the sealant every year or two, depending on the color of the Vetrazzo mix you choose and just how carefree you prefer to be. It's as easy as wiping it on, letting it sit for 20 minutes or so, and wiping it off.

Good sealants are also available VOC-free if you're concerned about off-gassing.

Details on Vetrazzo Care & Maintenance can be downloaded here.

Maintenance

Of course, the best way to maintain any surface is to wipe up regularly and not let the common household offenders - such as coffee, tea, red wine, vinegar and citrus - sit too long. Dark Vetrazzo mixes, such as any patina mixes, show little sign of wear and hide nearly anything you may throw their way.

To keep the "just like new" finish, apply a protective wax to the surface after installation, and a couple times a year thereafter. We recommend Goddard's Marble Wax or a comparable product. These products are inexpensive and readily available at your local hardware store. The wax barrier provides additional reaction time for wiping up staining agents before they can do damage.

A simple test can help determine the state of the wax layer – if a bead of water is absorbed by the surface, it’s time to apply a coat. Follow the product manufacturer’s recommendations.

Some common household chemicals and solvents can damage the surface. The worst offenders are:

  • Abrasive cleaners (like Comet and Spic and Span)
  • Rust/paint removers
  • Lacquer thinner
  • Fingernail polish remover
  • Other Solvents
  • Oven/metal/toilet/tile and drain cleaners

If contact with any of these materials should occur, wipe up immediately and wash the area thoroughly with a mild soap solution. Rinse with water.

Removal of difficult spills

Vetrazzo is resistant to common household stains but, like granite, it can be damaged or stained by prolonged exposure to foods that are highly acidic or have staining properties, such as lemon juice, other citrus juices, berries, wine and coffee. These substances may etch the surface causing a dull appearance, or discolor the surface. This can be easily repaired by an authorized fabricator.

Vetrazzo follows the same techniques for removing difficult spills and stains as the stone industry has used for centuries. You may download it here.

Repairs

Vetrazzo is extremely durable, and may never need repair. However, should it become damaged and you need it repaired, contact your Authorized Fabricator.

Just like if an edge of granite was damaged, if a piece of glass chips out of the edge, keep the glass if you can. The fabricator can re-adhere it. If the glass is not available, don't worry. The fabricator can still repair it.