Mechanical embossing texture differentiation between chemically restricted areas and non-restricted areas

A method of manufacturing an embossed surface covering comprising:

• forming a web comprising a substrate, a foamable layer, and at least one chemical foaming inhibitor or activator composition disposed proximate the foamable layer in accordance with a predetermined pattern;
• coating the web with a composite wear layer comprising a plurality of strata including an uppermost strata comprising a cross-linkable topcoat;
• heating the composite wear layer coated web to a temperature at which the wear layer is cured and the foamable layer is selectively expanded such that the foamable layer forms a foam layer having a foamed region and a substantially non-foamed region in accordance with the predetermined pattern;
• adjusting the temperature of the wear layer coated expanded web such that a temperature gradient exists laterally across the wear layer between the region of the wear layer substantially overlying the foamed region and the region of the wear layer substantially overlying the non-foamed region;
• and
• thereafter, mechanically embossing the wear layer whereby a surface texture is set predominantly into the wear layer substantially overlying the non-foamed region.