Certain brands, such as COREtec and Global GEM, have waterproof luxury vinyl collections which include real Oak “look” and textured floors. Made without hardwood, these floors imitate the appearance of wood and have gotten better over the years with built-in sound reducing properties and textures. Although vinyl and laminate oak flooring does not have the character of natural hardwood, it can be installed above, on, or below grade, much like engineered.