Walk into any hardware market and four glossy sheets are sold for the same wall: UV marble sheet, PVC marble sheet, acrylic sheet and sunmica. Two of them are close cousins, two are a different kind of product altogether, and one name on the list is not a material at all. This guide sets the four side by side, explains what each name really means, and then gives a verdict use by use, from the TV wall to the shower.
A UV marble sheet is a PVC marble sheet with a UV-cured top coat. "PVC marble sheet" is the family name, "UV" names the hard gloss coat on the face, and "polygranite" is a trade name for a PVC marble-look sheet. Acrylic is a 1.25 to 2 mm sheet pressed onto a board for a deep, flat gloss. Sunmica is the everyday Indian word for decorative laminate, also pressed onto a board. For a marble wall, including bathroom and shower walls with sealed joints, pick UV marble: ₹9,999 per 8 × 4 ft sheet, about ₹312 per sq ft, before GST. For wardrobes and furniture colour, pick acrylic (from ₹150 per sq ft) or sunmica. Keep acrylic and sunmica out of the shower.
- What the names mean
- Side by side
- What is inside
- Which to use where
- Waterproof?
- How it is fixed
- Finish and scratches
- Cost of a 10 × 8 ft wall
- Sample checks
- Myths
- Questions
UV marble sheet, PVC marble sheet, polygranite, sunmica: what the names mean
Most of the confusion is in the names, because shops use material names, coating names and trade names for the same shelf. Sort the names first and the choice gets much easier.
"UV marble sheet"
A PVC-based board with a printed marble face, sealed with a UV-cured top coat. The coat is what makes it hard, glossy and easy to wipe. Ours is the Maestà range: 8 × 4 ft, 3 mm, 38 finishes.
"PVC marble sheet"
The family name for any marble-look sheet on a PVC core. A UV marble sheet belongs to this family. A sheet sold only as "PVC marble" may or may not carry a UV coat, so ask.
"Polygranite sheet"
A trade name used in the Indian market for PVC-based marble-look and granite-look sheets. It describes a type of sheet, not one fixed specification. We do not sell it and make no claim about any brand's product.
"Acrylic sheet"
A thin polymer sheet, 1.25 to 2 mm, with the colour built into its face. It is pressed onto a board, and the board goes on the wall or becomes the shutter. See our acrylic sheets.
"Sunmica" or "mica"
The everyday Indian word for decorative laminate. It began as a brand name and became the word for the whole category. Laminate and sunmica are the same thing.
"SPC marble sheet"
A different core: rigid stone polymer composite, mostly limestone powder bound with PVC, with a matt to soft-sheen stone face. It is the stiff, stone-like cousin of UV marble. See SPC wall panels.
So the four-way question is really two questions. First: do you want a sheet that goes straight onto the wall (UV marble, PVC marble) or a thin face that needs a board behind it (acrylic, sunmica)? Second: is the surface going to get wet?
UV marble sheet vs PVC marble sheet vs acrylic vs sunmica, side by side
Every line about UV marble and acrylic below comes from our own ranges. The PVC marble and sunmica columns describe the category in general, because we do not sell either.
What each one is
| Surface | Made of | Sheet size | Thickness | Needs a board? | Do we sell it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV marble sheet | PVC board, marble print, UV-cured coat | 8 × 4 ft | 3 mm | No, on a flat, dry wall | Yes, Maestà |
| PVC marble sheet, incl. polygranite | PVC core, printed face; top coat varies | Usually 8 × 4 ft | Varies by seller; ask in mm | Depends on thickness | No |
| Acrylic sheet | Polymer sheet, colour in the face | 8 × 4 ft | 1.25, 1.5 and 2 mm | Yes: MDF, HDHMR or plywood | Yes |
| Sunmica (laminate) | Resin-soaked paper layers pressed hard | Usually 8 × 4 ft | About 0.8 to 1.25 mm | Yes: plywood, HDHMR or MDF | No |
How each one behaves
| Surface | Look | Scratches and wear | Wet areas | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV marble sheet | High-gloss marble, onyx and stone | Coated face resists everyday scratches and stains | Yes, with sealed joints | ₹9,999 / sheet |
| PVC marble sheet, incl. polygranite | Marble or granite print, gloss level varies | Depends on the top coat | Check the spec in writing | Not ours to quote |
| Acrylic sheet | Deep flat colour; gloss, matte or frosted | Fine scratches show on gloss | Dry areas only | From ₹150 / sq ft |
| Sunmica (laminate) | Widest choice: solids, wood, stone, textures | Tough against knocks and friction | Dry areas only | ₹40 to ₹150 / sq ft* |
Our prices are sheet only, before GST. *Typical market range, 2026, for the laminate sheet alone. It is not an Urbane Decor price; we do not sell laminate.
Not sure which of the four your wall needs? Send a photo of the wall and tell us what touches it: water, hands, heat or nothing.
WhatsApp +91 93243 69051What each sheet is made of, layer by layer
The four drawings below use one scale and one wall, with the wall on the left and the room on the right. Count what sits between them. That count explains price, fixing and water behaviour better than any brochure.
Thickness, drawn to the same scale
- UV marble sheet3 mm
- Acrylic sheet1.25 to 2 mm
- Sunmica (laminate)about 0.8 to 1.25 mm
- PVC marble sheetvaries; ask in mm
Each bar is drawn at 40 px to 1 mm. The solid part is the thinnest sheet in the range, the pale part the thickest.
A 3 mm sheet can bridge the small ripples in a plastered wall. A 1 mm face cannot, which is why acrylic and sunmica are never stuck straight onto plaster. One full Maestà sheet weighs about 15 kg, so one person can carry it and no stone-handling gear is needed.
Difference between PVC and UV marble sheet
There is less difference than the two names suggest. A UV marble sheet is a PVC marble sheet. The word "UV" tells you how the face was finished: a liquid coat is laid over the printed marble and hardened under ultraviolet light. That coat gives the mirror-smooth gloss and the scratch and stain resistance.
The useful question at the counter is therefore not "PVC or UV?" but three smaller ones:
- Is there a UV-cured coat on the face? If the seller cannot say, treat it as uncoated.
- What is the thickness in mm? Write it on the bill. Two "marble sheet" prices are often two different thicknesses.
- What is the warranty, and who gives it? Ours is 6 years on every Maestà sheet.
UV marble sheet vs polygranite sheet
Polygranite is a trade name, so there is no single polygranite specification to compare against. A sheet sold under that name sits in the PVC marble family, and it may be thinner, thicker, coated or uncoated depending on who made it. Compare it the same way: coat, thickness, warranty. If all three match a UV marble sheet, you are comparing like with like and can decide on design and price. If they do not, you are comparing two different products that happen to look alike in a photo.
Difference between UV marble sheet and acrylic sheet
These two get mixed up because both are glossy. They do different jobs. UV marble is a pattern product: veined marble, onyx and stone looks on a 3 mm sheet that fixes straight to a wall. Acrylic is a colour product: a deep, even gloss or a calm matte on a thin sheet that must be pressed onto a board. Acrylic does come with marble faces too, shown below, but its home ground is flat colour on wardrobes, shutters and feature walls. Our acrylic sheets for walls guide covers gloss against matte, thicknesses and the board in detail.
Catalogue swatches of our own sheets, with the codes you would quote. A screen cannot show gloss, so ask for a physical sample.
UV marble sheet vs sunmica: which is better?
Neither is better everywhere. Sunmica is the practical workhorse of Indian furniture: it is tough, it comes in more colours and textures than any other finish, and every carpenter knows how to work it. Its limits are the board behind it and the fine joint line where the edge band meets the face. UV marble wins when the brief is a marble wall with few joints, a surface that will get wet, or a wall you do not want to build out with board first. For a wardrobe carcass or an office desk, sunmica is the sensible pick. For a bathroom wall, it is not.
Which to use where: the use-by-use verdict
Here are the eight places these sheets are most often asked about. Each verdict follows from two facts: whether water reaches the surface, and whether a board sits behind the face.
- TV wall
- Bathroom wall
- Shower
- Kitchen backsplash
- Wardrobe shutters
- Pooja room back wall
- Lobby
- Counter fronts
Tap a use to jump to its verdict.
TV wall
- UV marbleWorks wellFew joints on a wide wall. Gloss mirrors windows, so check the glare from the sofa.
- PVC marbleCheck the specFine if it is thick enough to stay flat and has a coat.
- AcrylicWorks wellDry wall, seen from a distance. Matte if the wall faces a window.
- SunmicaWorks wellOn a board. Textured and matte faces hide reflections.
Our pick: UV marble for a stone look, acrylic for a block of colour. More ideas in best wall texture behind a TV unit.
Bathroom wall, outside the shower
- UV marbleWorks wellPVC core and coated face take steam and splashes. Seal the joints.
- PVC marbleCheck the specAsk the seller to confirm bathroom use in writing.
- AcrylicWith careOnly on a moisture-grade board with sealed edges.
- SunmicaWith careVanity units, yes. Keep board edges away from standing water.
Our pick: UV marble, or SPC for a matt stone face. See bathroom wall panels.
Shower wall
- UV marbleWorks, joints sealedEvery joint and edge is sealed so water stays on the face.
- PVC marbleCheck the specOnly with a written go-ahead for wet zones, and sealed joints.
- AcrylicAvoidWater finds the edges and the board behind.
- SunmicaAvoidSame reason: the board is the weak point.
Our pick: UV marble for gloss, SPC for a rigid, stone-like wall. Both are sheet-on-wall, with no board to swell.
Kitchen backsplash
- UV marbleWith careGood along the counter. Keep it clear of the open flame behind the hob.
- PVC marbleCheck the specSame caution near heat, plus the coat question.
- AcrylicWith careWipes clean, but keep it away from direct heat.
- SunmicaWith careCopes with kitchen warmth; water at the counter joint is the risk.
Our pick: UV marble along the run, with tile, stone or steel directly behind the burners. See kitchen wall panels.
Wardrobe shutters
- UV marbleWorks wellBonded onto the shutter board for a marble-front wardrobe.
- PVC marbleCheck the specHands touch shutters daily, so the top coat matters most here.
- AcrylicWorks wellIts home ground. Gloss to look at, matte to touch.
- SunmicaWorks wellThe everyday choice, inside and out.
Our pick: acrylic or sunmica for colour, UV marble for one statement pair of shutters. Read acrylic vs laminate vs PU for cabinetry.
Pooja room back wall
- UV marbleWorks wellWhite and gold-veined finishes suit a small, bright niche.
- PVC marbleCheck the specA small wall, so sample the gloss in the actual light.
- AcrylicWorks wellOn a board, in a plain colour or a marble face.
- SunmicaWorks wellOn a board; the widest choice of wood and stone looks.
Our pick: UV marble. With any of the four, keep lamps and incense clear of the surface. For a wall that glows, see alabaster sheets and our pooja room wall panels.
Lobby and lift lobby
- UV marbleWorks wellLarge marble faces, few joints, wiped clean in a minute.
- PVC marbleCheck the specA busy area is hard on an uncoated face.
- AcrylicWith careGloss shows fine scratches at hand and trolley height.
- SunmicaWorks wellTough at hand height, on a good board.
Our pick: UV marble or SPC on the walls. Where a fire consultant sets the specification, ask us about FR-grade ACP instead.
Counter fronts
- UV marbleWorks wellA marble-look reception or bar front, without the slab.
- PVC marbleCheck the specFronts get kicked and wiped; ask about the coat.
- AcrylicWorks wellHigh impact for a small area. Matte hides shoe scuffs better.
- SunmicaWorks wellThe hard-wearing default for shop counters.
Our pick: UV marble on the front face. For the working top that takes hot vessels and knives, use stone or quartz, not any of these four.
All eight uses in one table
| Use | UV marble | PVC marble | Acrylic | Sunmica |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV wall | Works well | Check the spec | Works well | Works well |
| Bathroom wall | Works well | Check the spec | With care | With care |
| Shower | Works, sealed | Check the spec | Avoid | Avoid |
| Kitchen backsplash | With care | Check the spec | With care | With care |
| Wardrobe shutters | Works well | Check the spec | Works well | Works well |
| Pooja room back wall | Works well | Check the spec | Works well | Works well |
| Lobby | Works well | Check the spec | With care | Works well |
| Counter fronts | Works well | Check the spec | Works well | Works well |
"Check the spec" is not a polite no. PVC marble and polygranite sheets differ too much from one seller to the next for a single verdict, so the answer depends on the coat, the thickness and what the seller will put in writing.
Is UV marble sheet waterproof? Bathroom, shower and kitchen
Yes. The PVC core does not soak up water and the UV-cured face does not stain, which is why a UV marble sheet is good for bathroom walls and can go inside the shower. The condition is in the fixing, not the sheet: every joint and every exposed edge must be sealed, so water runs down the face and never gets behind it.
Three related questions come up almost as often:
- Is UV marble sheet good for damp walls? No sheet cures a damp wall. Find and fix the seepage first, then cover it. Our guide to waterproof sheets for damp walls explains the order of work.
- Can UV marble sheet be used in the kitchen? Yes, on walls and along the counter. Keep it clear of the open flame and of hot vessels, as you would with any polymer surface.
- Can it go on the floor or outdoors? No. It is an interior wall and furniture surface. For outdoor walls, ACP is the right material.
Both have a face that shrugs off a wet cloth. Neither should go inside a shower, because both sit on a board, and water reaches a board through its edges and joints. In a bathroom, keep them to vanity units and dry walls, on a moisture-grade board with sealed edges.
How each one is fixed to the wall
This is where the four separate most clearly, and where most of the hidden cost sits.
UV marble sheet
Bonded with adhesive onto a dry, flat wall or over sound existing tiles. Joints are butted and sealed, or closed with a slim trim. It is a dry job, with no cement and no grout.
PVC marble sheet
Fixed the same way in principle. A thinner sheet follows the wall more closely, so the wall has to be flatter before you start, or a board has to go up first.
Acrylic sheet
Pressed across its full face onto MDF, HDHMR or plywood, edges banded and sealed, and then the finished board is fixed to the wall or hung as a shutter.
Sunmica (laminate)
Pressed onto plywood, HDHMR or MDF with adhesive, trimmed, and finished with a matching edge band. Standard carpentry in every Indian city.
Finish, scratches and daily wear
All four wipe clean with a soft damp cloth. They age differently.
- UV marble sheet: the cured coat resists everyday scratches and stains and keeps its shine. Like every mirror-gloss surface, it shows fingerprints and glare more than a matte one, so place it where the reflection is an asset.
- PVC marble sheet: behaviour follows the top coat. With a UV coat, expect the line above. Without one, the print has less protection, so ask before you buy.
- Acrylic sheet: gloss gives the deepest colour of the four, and also shows fine scratches and fingerprints, most of all on dark shades. Matte hides both. Never wipe gloss acrylic with a dry, dusty cloth.
- Sunmica: the most forgiving against knocks and friction, especially in matte and textured faces. Its tell is the hairline joint where the edge band meets the face.
None of the four can be patched invisibly. A damaged sheet or shutter is replaced, which is one more reason to keep an offcut from the same batch. Cleaning rules by material are in our wall panel care guide.
UV marble sheet disadvantages, stated plainly
We sell it, so here is what it does not do. It is high gloss only, so it will mirror a window or a tube light opposite it. It has a joint every 4 ft, which a good fitter aligns with the room but cannot remove. It needs a flat, dry wall. It is not a floor, a worktop or an exterior finish. It carries no fire rating, so it should not sit against an open flame. If any of those rule it out for your wall, SPC, tile or ACP may be the better answer, and we will say so.
Cost of a 10 × 8 ft wall in each surface
All four come as 8 × 4 ft sheets, so the sheet count is the same. Stand the sheets upright: a 10 ft wide, 8 ft high wall takes two full sheets and a third cut to 2 ft. That is 96 sq ft of sheet for an 80 sq ft wall.
Sheet cost only. *Typical market range, 2026, for the laminate sheet alone; not an Urbane Decor price. Board, labour and GST are extra in every row.
Read the table sideways, not top to bottom. UV marble has the highest sheet price and the shortest list of extras, because it needs no board. Acrylic and sunmica start lower and then add a board, pressing and a carpenter's time for the same wall. The fair comparison is the finished wall, so ask for the sheet and the making as separate lines on every quote. Our wall panel price list has every material we make, and installation cost per sq ft explains the labour side.
Five checks with the sample in your hand
You do not need a lab to tell these sheets apart. A sample and two minutes will do.
- Look at the edge. A solid pale core a few millimetres thick is a PVC-family sheet. Thin brown paper layers mean laminate. A thin sheet with colour running through it is acrylic.
- Measure it. Ask for the thickness in mm and have it written on the quote. Compare prices only between equal thicknesses.
- Tilt it under a light. A UV-coated face gives a sharp, mirror-like reflection of the bulb. A dull or soft reflection on a "gloss" sheet is worth a question.
- Ask what goes behind it. "Straight on the wall" and "on a board" are two different budgets.
- Ask for the warranty in writing. Who gives it, for how long, and what it covers. Ours is 6 years, and the terms are on our warranty page.
Five myths about marble sheets, acrylic and sunmica
"UV marble and PVC marble are two different materials."
They share a PVC core. UV describes the coat on the face. Ask about the coat, not the name.
"Sunmica and laminate are different products."
Sunmica is simply the word most Indian homes use for decorative laminate.
"If the face is waterproof, it can go in the shower."
Only if nothing behind the face can swell. That rules out anything pressed onto a board.
"The cheapest sheet makes the cheapest wall."
A thin face needs a board, pressing and edge bands. Compare finished walls, not sheets.
"A marble sheet can replace a kitchen worktop."
These are faces for walls, shutters and counter fronts. Worktops take heat and knives; use stone or quartz.
Decide in ten seconds
UV marble sheet
Straight on the wall, joints sealed, 6-year warranty.
Acrylic sheet
Gloss to look at, matte to touch. Dry areas, on a board.
Sunmica
The widest choice and the toughest face. Ask your carpenter.
Ask before you buy
Whatever it is called, get those three in writing first.
UV marble sheet ya sunmica: seedha jawab
UV marble sheet PVC ki 3 mm sheet hoti hai jis par marble ka print aur upar UV coating hoti hai. PVC marble sheet usi parivaar ka naam hai; UV sirf coating ka naam hai. Polygranite ek trade name hai. Sunmica matlab laminate, jo plywood ya board par chipka kar lagta hai, aur acrylic sheet bhi board par hi lagti hai. Bathroom aur shower ki deewar ke liye UV marble sheet sahi hai, bas saare joint seal hone chahiye. Wardrobe aur furniture ke liye acrylic ya sunmica theek hai, par shower ke andar nahi. UV marble sheet ka price ₹9,999 per 8 × 4 ft sheet hai, yaani lagbhag ₹312 per sq ft, GST alag.
- A UV marble sheet is a PVC marble sheet with a UV-cured coat. Polygranite is a trade name in the same family. Sunmica means laminate.
- UV marble and PVC marble go straight onto a flat wall. Acrylic and sunmica are thin faces that need a board.
- For wet walls and showers, use UV marble or SPC with sealed joints. Keep acrylic and sunmica to dry areas.
- A 10 × 8 ft wall takes three 8 × 4 ft sheets: ₹29,997 in UV marble, from ₹14,400 in acrylic plus the board, both before GST.
- Before buying any marble-look sheet, get the coat, the thickness in mm and the warranty in writing.
See the sheet in your own light before you decide
Urbane Decor is an architectural surfaces brand for interiors and exteriors, with 2,400+ projects since 2024. Send a photo of the wall and tell us where it is, and we will reply with the right surface, the sheet count, a joint layout and a quote. Orders are dispatched within 24 working hours and reach most of India in 5 to 6 days, the same day in Mumbai, and we ship worldwide. Maestà UV marble and our acrylic sheets carry a 6-year warranty.
Architects, designers and contractors get free samples, and homeowners can ask for a sample box, dispatched within 2 working days. Browse all our catalogues →
WhatsApp +91 93243 69051UV marble, PVC marble, acrylic and sunmica: your questions answered
What is the difference between PVC and UV marble sheet?
A UV marble sheet is a PVC marble sheet with a UV-cured top coat. PVC marble sheet is the family name for marble-look sheets on a PVC core. UV names the hard, glossy coat that gives scratch and stain resistance. A sheet sold only as PVC marble may or may not have that coat, so ask the seller.
What is the difference between UV marble sheet and polygranite sheet?
Polygranite is a trade name used in India for PVC-based marble-look and granite-look sheets, so it has no single specification. Compare any such sheet with a UV marble sheet on three points: whether it has a UV-cured coat, its thickness in mm, and the written warranty. We do not sell polygranite sheets.
UV marble sheet vs sunmica: which is better?
UV marble sheet is better for marble-look walls, bathrooms and showers, because it is a 3 mm PVC sheet that fixes straight onto the wall and does not need a board. Sunmica, which is decorative laminate, is better for wardrobes, desks and everyday furniture, where it is tough and offers the widest choice of designs. Sunmica should not be used inside a shower.
UV marble sheet or acrylic sheet: which is better?
Choose UV marble sheet for a veined marble or onyx wall, and for any wall that gets wet. Choose acrylic sheet for a deep, even colour across a wall, wardrobe or kitchen shutters in dry areas. UV marble is 3 mm and goes straight on the wall; acrylic is 1.25 to 2 mm and is pressed onto a board first.
Is UV marble sheet waterproof?
Yes. The PVC core does not absorb water and the UV-cured face does not stain. For a wall that stays waterproof, the joints and exposed edges must be sealed during installation so that water cannot get behind the sheet.
Is UV marble sheet good for bathroom walls and showers?
Yes. UV marble sheets are used on bathroom walls and inside shower enclosures when every joint and edge is sealed. They are not a floor finish. For a rigid, matt stone look in a wet area, SPC wall panels are the alternative.
Can UV marble sheet be used in the kitchen?
Yes, on kitchen walls and along the counter as a backsplash. Keep it clear of the open flame behind the hob and do not rest hot vessels against it. Use tile, stone or steel directly behind the burners.
What is the price of UV marble sheet per square foot in India?
Urbane Decor's Maestà UV marble sheets are ₹9,999 per 8 x 4 ft sheet in all 38 finishes, which is about ₹312 per sq ft, before GST. Adhesive, trims and fitting are separate.
What is the size and thickness of a UV marble sheet?
Our UV marble sheets are 8 ft by 4 ft, which is 32 sq ft, and 3 mm thick. One sheet weighs about 15 kg.
Is laminate the same as sunmica?
Yes. Sunmica is the everyday Indian word for decorative laminate. It began as a brand name and became the common name for the whole category. Both words mean a thin, hard decorative sheet that is pressed onto plywood, HDHMR or MDF.
Which is better, PVC or sunmica?
They do different jobs. A PVC-based marble sheet suits walls and wet areas because its core does not absorb water. Sunmica suits furniture and dry walls, where it is fixed onto a board and stands up well to daily knocks. Pick by where the surface is going, not by the name.
Is UV marble sheet fire resistant?
Our UV marble sheets do not carry a fire rating, so we do not describe them as fire resistant or fireproof. Keep them away from open flame. In our range, only FR-grade ACP is fire-rated.
Can UV marble sheet be used on the floor or as a countertop?
No. It is a surface for interior walls, shutters, ceilings and furniture or counter fronts. It is not made for foot traffic, and a working countertop that takes hot vessels and knives should be stone or quartz.
What are the disadvantages of UV marble sheet?
It comes in high gloss only, so it reflects windows and lights. It has a joint every 4 ft. It needs a flat, dry wall. It is not for floors, worktops or exteriors, and it has no fire rating. Within those limits it is light, waterproof and quick to install.
How many sheets does a 10 x 8 ft wall need, and what does it cost?
Three 8 x 4 ft sheets: two full sheets and one cut to 2 ft. In UV marble that is 3 x ₹9,999 = ₹29,997 before GST. In acrylic it is 96 sq ft x ₹150 = from ₹14,400 before GST, plus the board it is pressed onto. Adhesive, labour and trims are extra in both cases.
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Shop the surfaces: UV marble · Acrylic sheets · SPC · Alabaster · ACP