Strip and restain wooden floor

[btb23]

We've got a wooden floor in the hall and would like to change the colour to a lighter shade. It was already down when we moved here, so not sure exactly what kind it is, though it isn't laminate.

I'm thinking it is stained and then treated. Its only a small area 3m x 3m and wonder what is the best method to strip and re-stain?

The individual strips or boards are slightly curved so sanding them would take the curve off and flatten them out. Chemical stripping probably wouldn't remove the stain as it will be soaked into the wood. So is sanding the only option?

This is what it looks like.

View media item 44681
Thank you for any tips and advice.

 

[BigRobCanUFixIt]

can you get a view at the profile of the floor maybe at one of the door threshold etc.

I have been advised that sanding with a machine will take about 3mm of so if it is engineered floor make sure it has a thick enough veneer to sand.

 

[BigRobCanUFixIt]

double

 

[btb23]

can you get a view at the profile of the floor maybe at one of the door threshold etc.

I have been advised that sanding with a machine will take about 3mm of so if it is engineered floor make sure it has a thick enough veneer to sand.

Good point, I didn't think it might be a veneer. Thanks I'll do as you say.

I don't want to use a floor sander, as I haven't used one before and don't want to practice on this with it being a small area and maybe not very forgiving of any cack handedness. Probably they are more suited to floor boards than this kind of floor.

I was hoping my orbital sander would do it, slow but steady, I don't mind how long it takes.

 

[HMCFlooring]

Your orbital (hope for your sake its a Rotex) will do the job but boy its going to take time. 9 square m's!

Start with a course sandpaper 40's or 60's (till the colour has gone) then go to 80's and then to 120's hoovering in between. The final grit sandpapers are just removing the marks of the previous grit.

I'd seriously consider getting someone in though what you pay them would save you days of grief and be the best money you could spend!

Check the wood first and make sure its not a thin veneer as mentioned above. You will not be sanding 3mm off though it will be less than 1mm.