Composite wear layers that include a polyethylene terephthalate wear layer adhered to an organic/inorganic (O/I) top coat layer, and surface coverings and surface covering components including the composite wear layers, are disclosed. The organic/inorganic top coat layer is formed from a top coat formulation that comprises a coupling agent that includes an organic polymerizable moiety such as epoxy, acrylate and the like, as well as an inorganic polymerizable moiety such as a silanol. The wear layer is typically in the range of about 1-20 mils thickness, and the top coat layer is typically in the range of 2 microns to 0.5 mils thickness. The composite wear layers can be included in surface coverings or surface covering components, such as floor and wall coverings. An adhesion promoter/binder can be used to better adhere the polyethylene terephthalate wear layer to the organic/inorganic top coat layer.