## Common ground
All options describe materials used to make multilayer parquet flooring panels, based on their primary composition.
## Options at a glance
**3918,3921,3926.90 – Plastic material**
- **Defining trait:** Panels are primarily made from synthetic polymers like PVC or polyethylene.
- **Typical examples:** Vinyl plank flooring, plastic laminate flooring.
- **Best fit when:** The product is waterproof, flexible, and mimics wood but is not natural wood.
**4008,4016 – Rubber**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural or synthetic rubber, often used for cushioned floors.
- **Typical examples:** Rubber gym flooring, rubber tiles.
- **Best fit when:** The floor has high shock absorption and is used in sports or industrial settings.
**4303.90 – Furskin**
- **Defining trait:** Made from animal hides or fur; not typical for flooring.
- **Typical examples:** Fur rugs, decorative floor coverings (rare).
- **Best fit when:** The product is a luxury, non-standard floor with visible fur or hide.
**4407,4409,4412,4418.7X – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural wood layers; the standard for true parquet.
- **Typical examples:** Solid wood parquet, engineered wood flooring with real wood top layer.
- **Best fit when:** The product is primarily made of wood, especially with visible grain.
**4504.10 – Cork**
- **Defining trait:** Made from cork oak bark; lightweight and insulating.
- **Typical examples:** Cork tiles, floating cork floors.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is soft underfoot, sound-absorbing, and made from natural cork.
**4601.2X – Plaiting materials**
- **Defining trait:** Made from woven plant fibers like rattan or bamboo.
- **Typical examples:** Woven bamboo flooring, basket-weave panels.
- **Best fit when:** The surface has a visible woven texture and is not solid wood.
**4811.5X,4811.90,4823.90 – Paper or paperboard**
- **Defining trait:** Made from layered paper; often used in laminate flooring.
- **Typical examples:** Laminate flooring with printed paper layer.
- **Best fit when:** The top layer is a printed paper image of wood.
**5602.10 – Needleloom felt**
- **Defining trait:** Made from compressed fibers, usually synthetic or wool.
- **Typical examples:** Felt-backed floor mats, acoustic flooring.
- **Best fit when:** The product is soft, sound-absorbing, and not rigid.
**5701–5705.00,5904.90,5905.00 – Textile material**
- **Defining trait:** Made from woven or knitted fabrics; often used in carpet tiles.
- **Typical examples:** Carpeted flooring, textile-based floating floors.
- **Best fit when:** The surface is soft and fabric-like.
**6808.00 – Wood cement**
- **Defining trait:** Wood particles bound with cement; durable but heavy.
- **Typical examples:** Cement-bonded wood flooring (rare).
- **Best fit when:** The product is industrial-grade, moisture-resistant, and made with cement binder.
**6809.1X – Plasters**
- **Defining trait:** Made from gypsum or lime-based plaster; not typical for flooring.
- **Typical examples:** Decorative plaster floors (very niche).
- **Best fit when:** The floor is a custom, artistic plaster surface.
**6811.82 – Asbestos cement or cellulose fiber cement**
- **Defining trait:** Made from cement with asbestos or cellulose fibers; outdated and hazardous.
- **Typical examples:** Old industrial flooring (banned in most countries).
- **Best fit when:** The product is old, non-compliant, or contains asbestos.
**7019.69 – Glass fibers or fiberglass**
- **Defining trait:** Reinforced with glass fibers; used in composite panels.
- **Typical examples:** Fiberglass-reinforced flooring (rare).
- **Best fit when:** The product is high-strength, impact-resistant, and not wood-based.
**7020.00 – Glass**
- **Defining trait:** Made from glass; transparent or reflective surface.
- **Typical examples:** Glass tiles, decorative glass flooring.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is transparent or has a glass top layer.
## Key differences
| Option | Primary Material | Texture | Common Use | Durability |
|-------|------------------|--------|------------|------------|
| Wood (44xx) | Natural wood | Grainy, solid | Residential, classic parquet | Medium-high |
| Plastic (39xx) | Synthetic polymer | Smooth, flexible | Wet areas, high traffic | High |
| Rubber (40xx) | Natural/synthetic rubber | Cushioned | Gyms, industrial | High |
| Cork (4504.10) | Cork bark | Soft, cellular | Quiet spaces | Medium |
| Paper (48xx) | Printed paper | Flat, image-based | Laminate flooring | Low-medium |
| Textile (57xx) | Fabric | Soft, carpet-like | Living rooms, offices | Low |
## How to choose
- Is the floor made of real wood with visible grain? → 4407–4418.7X
- Does it feel like plastic or vinyl and resist water? → 3918,3921,3926.90
- Is it soft, bouncy, and used in gyms? → 4008,4016
- Is it made from cork bark and sound-absorbing? → 4504.10
- Does it have a printed wood image on paper? → 4811.5X,4811.90,4823.90
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A laminate floor may be both "plastic" (39xx) and "paper" (48xx), but the **main defining feature** is the top layer: if it's a printed paper image, use 48xx; if it's a plastic surface, use 39xx.
- A rubber floor may also be textured like wood—check for material origin.
- Avoid 4303.90 (furskin), 6809.1X (plasters), and 6811.82 (asbestos) unless the product is clearly non-standard or hazardous.
- **No user context given**—no recommendation possible