Dezeen promotion: Italian tile manufacturer Ceramiche Refin has released a collection of porcelain tiles that take design cues from the clarity of glass surfaces.

Ceramiche Refin designed the Vetri collection to combines the "emotional power of glass" with the resistance, safety and practicality of stoneware.

While traditional ceramics can have a heavy appearance, Ceramiche Refin's Vetri collection aimed to utilise the fact that glass can be both opaque and transparent, as well as robust and fragile, to create brighter spaces.

The collection stems from Ceramiche Refin's research into the material, which saw it use "the most sophisticated manufacturing technologies" to create glass-effect surfaces.

"[Glass] has taken its place in modern architecture as an element oozing a strong personality, the star of visually scarce structures, that appear weightless," said the brand.

"[This] led to the creation of original glass-inspired surfaces with a notable innovative personality."

Vetri comes in a variety of natural colours, including the saturated tones of Fumé and Bronzo and the delicate shades of Bianco, Acqua and Naturale.

The edge of each tile is a slightly darker shade of the colour that fills its centre, in a bit to create an "elegant geometrical mesh" when placed side by side.

The tiles are available in multiple sizes – with a smaller, 10 by 30 centimetre version suited for more decorative use on walls, and larger formats for floors.

The entire range has a glossy finish that is designed to reflect light, giving spaces an extra brightness.

It also has the benefit of being environmentally friendly, as ceramic is a natural material that can be recycled and are LEED compliant. Ceramiche Refin's production process also achieved the Environmental Product Declaration and Product Environmental Footprint certifications.

Ceramiche Refin has been manufacturing products since 1962, and is one of the world leaders in ceramic tile production.

The company recently opened its first flagship showroom in Milan, which functions as a meeting point for architects and designers.

More information about Ceramiche Refin's Vetri collection can be found on the company's website.