a laminated panel made of a reinforced non - woven flexible mat with a content of thermoplastic fibers which is provided on at least one side with a plastic - containing decorative layer the mat is connected with the decorative layer by the use of pressure and heat via an intermediate scrim layer having thermoplastic fibers . the process for forming a panel includes preheating the mat by passing a heated gaseous flow through the mat to evenly heat the mat throughout . a layer of unheated decorative vinyl and the preattached scrim layer are placed in a mold . the preheated mat is then placed into the mold . the mold is promptly closed and pressed to bond the layers of mat , scrim , and decorative vinyl layer together to form the laminated panel .