A hybrid of vinyl flooring and soft cushioned carpet is provided. The
hybrid flooring, which is suitable for production into tiles, utilizes
woven PVC fabric that is bonded to a flexible backing. The fabric
comprises woven solid color and/or multi-color yarns in order to produce
different visual styles. These yarns comprise a ceramic fiber core,
preferably fiberglass, onto which PVC is extruded in order to form a PVC
jacket. The core provides the yarn with sufficient tensile strength so it
can be woven while the PVC provides durability, resistance to wear and
color. After the fabric is woven, it is sent through a tentering or
curing oven which fuses the warp and fill yarns of the fabric, thereby
stabilizing the fabric, preserving its integrity and preventing it from
unraveling.