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What is Vetrazzo?
Vetrazzo is a line of exquisite surface materials crafted from recycled glass and used anywhere natural stone is used; countertops, tabletops, architectural cladding and more. Vetrazzo surfaces offer a stunning and lively signature for residential or commercial projects. With over 85% recycled glass content, Vetrazzo allows homeowners, architects, designers, and builders to exhibit both their style and their respect for the earth and environment.
What is it made of?
Vetrazzo is composed of a patent-pending, proprietary formula that combines recycled glass with a binder of cement, additives, pigments and other recycled materials.
Conversely, most manufactured countertop materials on the market, such as engineered stone (also referred to as “Quartz”), utilize a synthetic, petroleum-based resin binder.
Are Vetrazzo surfaces smooth or textured?
Vetrazzo surfaces are smooth, just like highly polished granite. Check out "Where to Buy" to find out where you can run your hand across Vetrazzo and experience it for yourself.
Where does the glass come from? How much is recycled?
All of the glass used in Vetrazzo is recycled, and it makes up approximately 85% of the final material. Our largest source of glass is the neighborhood curbside recycling programs. (See if you can spot last night’s Heineken bottle…)
Other glass comes from post-industrial usage, windows, drinking glasses, stemware, automotive glass, stained glass, laboratory glass, reclaimed glass from building demolition, and other unusual sources such as decommissioned traffic light lenses. Because of the unique nature of the glass used in the production process, every Vetrazzo surface has its own history. For more info on the stories behind each of our current mixes, visit "A story in every surface".
How does Vetrazzo compare to granite?
Vetrazzo is comparable in strength, scratch resistance, thermal resistance, durability, and care and maintenance to granite. Vetrazzo can be used wherever granite or other natural stone surfaces are used.
One key difference between granite and Vetrazzo is that, because Vetrazzo is made entirely in the US and is composed of more than 85% recycled material, Vetrazzo is one of the most environmentally friendly surface materials on the market. Most granite sold in the US, on the other hand, is imported from developing nations where it is quarried under unacceptable worker and environmental protection standards and a tremendous amount of energy is used shipping it around the world. For more information, please see question #28, Why is Vetrazzo a better choice than granite?
How does Vetrazzo compare to other surface materials such as Corian (Solid Surface) or Quartz?
Take a look at a comparison of the commonly available surface materials.
How is Vetrazzo used?
Almost any surfacing requirement can use Vetrazzo. The most popular applications include countertops, vanity tops, tabletops, bar tops, hearths/fireplace surrounds and tub decks. Vetrazzo has even been used for wall cladding entryways, and shower surrounds.
Can it be used outdoors?
Yes. If you live in a northern climate, consult the Freeze/Thaw section of our Technical Specifications.
How much of a surface can be unsupported (cantilevered)?
It depends on the particular use, but generally speaking it has similar dimensional limitations to granite or marble. Refer to the Technical Specifications document for more information.
What finishes are available?
The standard finish is high-gloss polish, but Vetrazzo is also available in a honed finish by special order.
Because of the unique nature of Vetrazzo, no two pieces are exactly the same. We endeavor to reproduce panels of the same mix as close in color match as possible. Your Vetrazzo will likely exhibit variations in color, shade, glass size and glass particle distribution that are part of the inherent character and beauty of mixing post consumer and/or post-industrial recycled glass.
Any samples of your chosen mix should be considered a general representation of the final appearance of your surface. These variations are not structural and are part of the beauty and distinctive pleasure of having a genuine Vetrazzo surface. Be assured, no one will have a surface exactly like yours.
Vetrazzo is a line of exquisite surface materials crafted from recycled glass and used anywhere natural stone is used; countertops, tabletops, architectural cladding and more. Vetrazzo surfaces offer a stunning and lively signature for residential or commercial projects. With over 85% recycled glass content, Vetrazzo allows homeowners, architects, designers, and builders to exhibit both their style and their respect for the earth and environment.
What is it made of?
Vetrazzo is composed of a patent-pending, proprietary formula that combines recycled glass with a binder of cement, additives, pigments and other recycled materials.
Conversely, most manufactured countertop materials on the market, such as engineered stone (also referred to as “Quartz”), utilize a synthetic, petroleum-based resin binder.
Are Vetrazzo surfaces smooth or textured?
Vetrazzo surfaces are smooth, just like highly polished granite. Check out "Where to Buy" to find out where you can run your hand across Vetrazzo and experience it for yourself.
Where does the glass come from? How much is recycled?
All of the glass used in Vetrazzo is recycled, and it makes up approximately 85% of the final material. Our largest source of glass is the neighborhood curbside recycling programs. (See if you can spot last night’s Heineken bottle…)
Other glass comes from post-industrial usage, windows, drinking glasses, stemware, automotive glass, stained glass, laboratory glass, reclaimed glass from building demolition, and other unusual sources such as decommissioned traffic light lenses. Because of the unique nature of the glass used in the production process, every Vetrazzo surface has its own history. For more info on the stories behind each of our current mixes, visit "A story in every surface".
How does Vetrazzo compare to granite?
Vetrazzo is comparable in strength, scratch resistance, thermal resistance, durability, and care and maintenance to granite. Vetrazzo can be used wherever granite or other natural stone surfaces are used.
One key difference between granite and Vetrazzo is that, because Vetrazzo is made entirely in the US and is composed of more than 85% recycled material, Vetrazzo is one of the most environmentally friendly surface materials on the market. Most granite sold in the US, on the other hand, is imported from developing nations where it is quarried under unacceptable worker and environmental protection standards and a tremendous amount of energy is used shipping it around the world. For more information, please see question #28, Why is Vetrazzo a better choice than granite?
How does Vetrazzo compare to other surface materials such as Corian (Solid Surface) or Quartz?
Take a look at a comparison of the commonly available surface materials.
How is Vetrazzo used?
Almost any surfacing requirement can use Vetrazzo. The most popular applications include countertops, vanity tops, tabletops, bar tops, hearths/fireplace surrounds and tub decks. Vetrazzo has even been used for wall cladding entryways, and shower surrounds.
Can it be used outdoors?
Yes. If you live in a northern climate, consult the Freeze/Thaw section of our Technical Specifications.
How much of a surface can be unsupported (cantilevered)?
It depends on the particular use, but generally speaking it has similar dimensional limitations to granite or marble. Refer to the Technical Specifications document for more information.
What finishes are available?
The standard finish is high-gloss polish, but Vetrazzo is also available in a honed finish by special order.
Because of the unique nature of Vetrazzo, no two pieces are exactly the same. We endeavor to reproduce panels of the same mix as close in color match as possible. Your Vetrazzo will likely exhibit variations in color, shade, glass size and glass particle distribution that are part of the inherent character and beauty of mixing post consumer and/or post-industrial recycled glass.
Any samples of your chosen mix should be considered a general representation of the final appearance of your surface. These variations are not structural and are part of the beauty and distinctive pleasure of having a genuine Vetrazzo surface. Be assured, no one will have a surface exactly like yours.
