The Basics
Vetrazzo® is an extremely durable and easy-to-maintain surface. It's comparable to granite in strength, scratch resistance, heat resistance, durability, and care & maintenance.
Will it stain? Vetrazzo is less porous than marble and concrete and equivalent to some granite.
85% of the surface is glass, which is impervious to stain. However, acids (like red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar) will etch the matrix of the surface (the concrete area between the glass) if not cleaned up right away. And staining agents (like coffee and tea) will leave a trace if allowed to remain on the surface.
Luckily, like aged butcher block, marble, and concrete, signs of living can actually enhance the character of the surface. If you clean messes up quickly, your Vetrazzo will remain unchanged. If you are more carefree, you may appreciate the natural patina that develops as you live with and enjoy your Vetrazzo. Also, dark mixes and those with patina hide the signs of a carefree lifestyle remarkably well. See what one Vetrazzo customer had to say.
Need a lot of maintenance? No. It's mostly glass. Keep it clean with soap and water, (avoiding harsh abrasives). When the mood strikes you, buff it with a wax a few times a year and reseal it once every year or two. Pretty simple.
Can you cut on it? Sure, but you’ll dull your knife.
Can you put a hot pot on it? Sure. It’s glass and concrete. As with any sealed surface, prolonged excessive heat could compromise the sealant. So if you do this often, be sure to reseal periodically.
Durable? You bet. Vetrazzo installations are in buildings that have seen millions of visitors since they've been installed and show no signs of wear.
Can you dance on it? We’ll leave that up to you. (Careful not to slip).
Dwell magazine referred to it as “a superhero of the countertop world.”
Need we say more?
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Surface Performance Chart
How does Vetrazzo compare with other surface materials on the market? You be the judge:
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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.
Sealing
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.
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 with high acidic content or strong staining properties such as lemon juice, other citrus juices, wine and coffee. These acids may etch the surface causing a dull appearance. This can be easily repaired by fabricator.
If stain removal is necessary, you may either engage a professional fabricator, or you may want to try and remove the stain yourself using a poultice. The following is a common, effective poultice recipe. More than one application may be necessary:
- Non-scented, non-oiled Talcum powder, which can be found at most large supermarkets or pharmacies
- Hydrogen Peroxide (full strength)
Mix the Talcum powder and Hydrogen Peroxide together creating a thick paste, apply to stain and cover with cling film, e.g. Saran Wrap. Tape edges of film to surface, this slows the drying time allowing the poultice to draw out the staining agent. Be sure to use a low tack tape that will not leave a residue.
It may take 2-3 days to allow the poultice to dry completely. Once dry, scrape off the poultice with a razor blade; be careful not to scratch the surface, inspect the area and repeat if necessary.
Be sure to re-apply sealant after stain removal according to the manufacturer's instructions. We recommend StoneTech's Impregnator Pro. After the re-sealant process is completed and the sealant has dried, apply and buff a protective wax. We recommend Goddard's Marble wax.
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.
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Chemicals & Cleaners
Choosing supplies for surface care & maintenance these days can be very confusing. The best thing you can do for any surface is be selective in your choice of cleaners. Most mass-market products are corrosive to all surfaces. Here are some chemicals and cleaners we recommend. For maximum performance, we suggest you reapply according to the schedule noted.
Cleaners: - Mild soap and water. (Use as often as necessary)
Wax: - Goddard's Marble Polish (A few times a year). May be substituted with any good quality marble polish.
Sealant: - Any high-quality granite or concrete countertop sealant can be used. We like Impregnator Pro by StoneTech or Buddy Rhodes Natural Look Penetrating Concrete Sealer. (Every year or two)
For more information on how to use these products, see "Caring for Vetrazzo"
Keep in mind that these are some of the nastiest chemicals to avoid:
- 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
- Other acidic solutions
