## Common ground
All options describe materials used to make parquet flooring, which is a type of engineered or solid wood floor with interlocking pieces.
## Options at a glance
**3918,3921,3926.90 – Plastic material**
- **Defining trait:** Made from synthetic polymers like PVC or polyethylene, often used for vinyl or composite flooring.
- **Typical examples:** Luxury vinyl tile (LVT), plastic laminate flooring.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is waterproof, flexible, and mimics wood but is not real wood.
**4008,4016 – Rubber**
- **Defining trait:** Made from natural or synthetic rubber; typically resilient and shock-absorbing.
- **Typical examples:** Gym flooring, rubber tiles, sports floor panels.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is used in high-impact areas like gyms or playgrounds.
**4303.90 – Furskin**
- **Defining trait:** Made from animal hides or fur; extremely rare for flooring.
- **Typical examples:** Decorative, non-functional floor coverings (e.g., in luxury interiors).
- **Best fit when:** A highly decorative, non-standard, and exotic material is used.
**4407.9X,4409.29,4412.99 – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Made from real wood, including solid or engineered planks.
- **Typical examples:** Hardwood parquet, engineered wood floors.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is made of natural wood with visible grain and traditional construction.
**4504.10 – Cork**
- **Defining trait:** Made from the bark of cork oak trees; soft, warm, and naturally insulating.
- **Typical examples:** Cork tiles, floating cork floors.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is eco-friendly, sound-absorbing, and comfortable underfoot.
**4601.2X – Plaiting materials, basketwork or wickerwork**
- **Defining trait:** Made from woven natural fibers like rattan or bamboo; not typical for parquet.
- **Typical examples:** Woven floor mats or decorative panels.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is a handcrafted, non-structural, artistic element.
**4811.5X,4811.90,4823.90 – Paper or paperboard**
- **Defining trait:** Made from layered paper; not durable for flooring.
- **Typical examples:** Temporary floor coverings or prototypes.
- **Best fit when:** The product is a mock-up or low-cost, non-durable surface.
**5602.10 – Needleloom felt**
- **Defining trait:** Made from compressed fibers; soft and sound-absorbing.
- **Typical examples:** Felt floor mats, acoustic underlayment.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is a soft, non-wearable surface or insulation layer.
**5701–5905.00 – Textile material**
- **Defining trait:** Made from woven fabrics like nylon or polyester; often used in carpet tiles.
- **Typical examples:** Carpeted floors, modular rugs.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is soft, flexible, and not rigid like parquet.
**6808.00 – Wood cement**
- **Defining trait:** Made from wood particles bound with cement; very durable but not traditional parquet.
- **Typical examples:** Cement-bonded wood flooring for industrial use.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is heavy-duty, moisture-resistant, and made with cement binder.
**6809.1X – Plasters**
- **Defining trait:** Made from plaster-based materials; not used for parquet.
- **Typical examples:** Wall or ceiling finishes.
- **Best fit when:** The product is a wall or decorative surface, not flooring.
**6811.82 – Asbestos cement or cellulose fiber cement**
- **Defining trait:** Made from cement with asbestos or cellulose; hazardous and outdated.
- **Typical examples:** Industrial floor panels (rare today).
- **Best fit when:** The product is an old, non-compliant industrial flooring.
**7019.69 – Glass fibers or fiberglass**
- **Defining trait:** Made from glass strands; not used for parquet.
- **Typical examples:** Reinforced composites or insulation.
- **Best fit when:** The product is structural reinforcement, not a floor surface.
**7020.00 – Glass**
- **Defining trait:** Made from solid or laminated glass; highly decorative and fragile.
- **Typical examples:** Glass tiles, transparent flooring panels.
- **Best fit when:** The floor is transparent or artistic, not standard parquet.
## Key differences
| Option | Material Type | Durability | Common Use | Real Wood Feel? |
|-------|----------------|------------|-------------|------------------|
| 4407.9X–4412.99 | Wood | High | Standard parquet | Yes |
| 3918,3921,3926.90 | Plastic | Medium | Vinyl flooring | No (imitation) |
| 4504.10 | Cork | Medium | Eco-friendly floors | Yes (soft) |
| 4008,4016 | Rubber | High | Sports/industrial | No |
| 5701–5905.00 | Textile | Low | Carpets | No |
## How to choose
- Is the floor made of real wood? → 4407.9X–4412.99
- Does it feel soft or springy underfoot? → 4504.10 (cork)
- Is it waterproof and flexible? → 3918,3921,3926.90 (plastic)
- Is it used in gyms or high-impact areas? → 4008,4016 (rubber)
- Is it transparent or artistic? → 7020.00 (glass)
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- **Plastic and wood** may overlap if the floor mimics wood but is plastic — prioritize material: real wood vs. synthetic.
- **Cork and rubber** both absorb sound; use “material” to distinguish.
- **Textile and paper** are often confused — textile is woven, paper is layered.
- **No clear priority** between function and material — user should choose based on the product’s **main defining feature** (e.g., real wood vs. imitation)