Abstract: Floor and wall covering materials are provided with a barrier layer to inhibit the migration or dispersion of organic stainants from the surface of the underlying floor or wall into the decorative portions of the covering materials. The barrier layer comprises a plastisol and sodium silicate which is coated onto or incorporated into the floor or wall covering in the wet state as a mixture of plastisol and water glass, followed by heating to drive off water and gel or fuse the plastisol. The barrier layer is particularly compatible with sheet vinyl floor and wall covering materials. It can be coated onto the underside of the covering material or incorporated as a layer between the underside and the decorative portion of such material.