Contrasting gloss surface coverings optionally containing dispersed wear-resistant particles and methods of making the same

A surface covering having a natural wood, stone, marble, granite, or brick appearance, comprising:

• a backing layer;
• a foam layer located on said backing layer;
• a design layer located on said foam layer and having a design of natural wood, stone, marble, granite, or brick, wherein said design includes chemically embossed joint or grout lines;
• a wear layer located on top of said design layer and mechanically embossed with a surface texture selected from natural wood, stone, marble, granite, and brick, wherein the surface texture is mechanically embossed in the wear layer after first subjecting said wear layer to a sufficient temperature to soften said wear layer;
• and
• a top coat layer located on said embossed wear layer, wherein said top coat comprises a cured resin, a suspension aid comprising silica, a polyamine amide, a polyamide, or an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid;
• and wear-resistant particles dispersed therein.

A surface covering comprising:

• a backing layer;
• a foam layer located on said backing layer;
• a design layer located on said foam layer and having a design, wherein said design includes a chemically embossed portion;
• a wear layer located on said design layer and mechanically embossed with a surface texture, wherein the surface texture is mechanically embossed in the wear layer after first subjecting said wear layer to a sufficient temperature to soften said wear layer;
• and
• a top coat located on said embossed wear layer, wherein said top coat comprises a cured resin;
• a suspension aid comprising silica, a polyamine amide, a polyamide, or an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid;
• and wear-resistant particles dispersed therein.

A surface covering having a natural wood, stone, marble, granite, or brick appearance, comprising:

• a backing layer;
• a foam layer located on said backing layer;
• a design layer located on said foam layer and having a design of natural wood, stone, marble, granite, or brick, wherein said design includes chemically embossed joint or grout lines;
• a continuous wear layer located on top of said design layer and mechanically embossed with a surface texture of natural wood, stone, marble, granite, or brick, wherein the surface texture is mechanically embossed in the wear layer after first subjecting said wear layer to a sufficient temperature to soften said wear layer;
• and
• a non-continuous top coat layer located on said embossed wear layer, wherein said top coat layer overlies only the areas which have not been chemically embossed.