Care and maintenance
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. But you do have to care for it.
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.
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? Back to top
Surface Performance Chart
How does Vetrazzo compare with other surface materials on the market? You be the judge:
Caring for Vetrazzo
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 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.
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.
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 Aquamix Sealers Choice Gold.
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