Engineered wood flooring on concrete slab - advice needed

I’m a DIYer and planning to lay some herringbone pattern 10mm engineered wood flooring on the ground floor of my new build when we move in, in a few weeks. It’s fairly open plan so will be covering hall, living, dining, kitchen & utility which is about 40sqm in total.


it’s tongue and groove. The manufactures guidance is to adhere it down. No idea of the moisture content of the slab so if I go down this route I’d probably apply a liquid Dpm to the slab first.
I feel like my preference would be to install it as a floating floor on suitable underlay by glueing the top tongue/groove joints. Just seems like if there’s any issues down the line this would make it easier to lift & resolve.
- Would this be a reasonable approach or should I definitely be adhering it down?
- Are there any things I should be considering if I float it?
- are there any non-moisture related concerns that might lead to failure with the flooring if I adhere it down?

cheers

 

You might need to give it a grind also

 

Or pay a professional so you won’t have any issues in the future?

 

10mm herringbone will likely have to be stuck down
Unless the manufacturer says you can float it

 

on a tight budget

 

Better to pay once than twice with additional uplift costs.

Herringbone isn't easy format to lay and the questions you are asking shows a significant lack of knowledge.

1. "No idea of the moisture content of the slab so if I go down this route I’d probably apply a liquid Dpm to the slab first." - not a good idea, test the slab and know exactly what you are dealing with.
2. Are there any things I should be considering if I float it? Yes. "The manufactures guidance is to adhere it down", so don't float it, glue it down.
3. Floating floor "Just seems like if there’s any issues down the line this would make it easier to lift & resolve." - already planning for failure, and anyway it won't be easier to fix, but it will be easier to rip out and to get a professional to start again with new materials.
4. "are there any non-moisture related concerns that might lead to failure with the flooring if I adhere it down?" Yes. You need to set out a crown/header line, have you thought about how to do that. Get it wrong and your floor will wander off and look dreadful(whether floated or stuck down).

Without wishing to be rude or dismissive, you should seriously think about whether you have the skills to take this on, as you certainly don't have the knowledge or experience. I would suggest getting a professional and pay once for a floor that you will love.

I wouldn't take this job on because I know I'd mess it up (I'm not a wood floor fitter but my work is in this field), and i've met many good regular wood floor fitters that I wouldn't give this job to.

If you do it yourself I wish you luck and would enjoy seeing pictures of a well fitted lovely looking floor.