If you are planning on putting new hardwood floors into your home or office, then it is important to make sure the demolition process goes as smooth as possible. Demo work can be back breaking labor, but it doesn’t have to be, as long as you choose the right tool for the job.
Let’s take a look at some of our favorite tools for removing hardwood floors with ease.
Our Top 5 Tools For Removing Hardwood Floors
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Guster Demolition Bar
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Warner Heavy Duty Floor Scraper
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| View on Amazon |
Best High End  | Best High End | Honey Badger Demolition Fork
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| View on Amazon |
 | Goldblatt Multi-Tool
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Spec Ops Tools Flat Pry Bar
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| View on Amazon |
What Tools Are Used For Removing Hardwood Floors?
If you are still in the demolition stages of removing your old hardwood before you can lay the new flooring, you need a tool that has enough backbone and is still lightweight enough to use without wearing you out too much.
The most popular options for professionals include demolition bars, pry bars, and floor scrapers. You need a tool that can easily slide underneath the old hardwood and pry it up. Depending on your old flooring, you may need to dislodge nails and staples, or you may need to cut through sticky adhesives.
What Are The Different Types of Tools For Removing Hardwood Floors?
Pry bars are basically a miniature version of a crowbar, and they are usually flat. They excel past crowbars when removing hardwood flooring because their shape makes them much easier to wedge under tight spaces. They come in a variety of lengths to fit any job. Keep in mind that longer versions will be able to exert more force and make prying up old flooring easier.
Floor scrapers are more common when dealing with flooring that has been secured to the subfloor with an adhesive or glue. They are usually designed with a blade on the end that can cut and scrape up old adhesives that get left behind from the old flooring. They can be useful for removing hardwood because they act as a two-in-one tool, prying up old floors while scraping away any leftover residue on the subfloor.
Demolition bars/wrecking bars are more or less a burlier version of a pry bar or floor scraper. They are usually designed to be used on floors, walls, and ceilings. You can expect to shell out some more cash on something like this because it is an all-in-one solution for your demolition needs.
How Does Removing Hardwood flooring Work?
Generally, when you start the process of removing your old flooring, you need to start by removing any baseboard trim along the walls so that you can safely pull up the hardwood. This way, you can reuse the trim and reduce the likelihood of damaging the paint on your walls. This is another instance where having a thin tool will come in handy.
Some people want to save and reuse their old hardwood floors for another project, which makes the process much more tedious. For those of us who don’t plan on doing this, cutting up the floor into sections with a circular saw is a great way to break up the job into sections.
After this, the rest of the project consists mostly of prying up the old flooring and removing any leftover materials that still remain on top of the subfloor. Unless your old flooring was floating, you can expect to remove some nails, staples, or glues from the subfloor.
What Do You Look For In The Best Tools Used For Removing Hardwood Floors?
First off, you want a tool that is strong enough to handle repeated use. Weak and flimsy materials will start to bend over time, rendering them useless. Never skimp on a tool’s quality because it will only create more work for you in the long run.
Next, you should make sure you purchase a tool that is as efficient as possible. We want to work smart, not hard. Some people enjoy demolition, but it can become pretty taxing on your body after a while. The right tool should be able to remove hardwood flooring as fast as possible without damaging the subfloor.
You also want to consider the design of your hardwood flooring removal tool. An ergonomically designed tool will feel much better in your hands, especially when you are putting in those extra hours. A comfortable feeling tool will make your next job more enjoyable and feel less like work.
It’s also a good idea to keep a tool’s versatility in mind. If you can save some money by making a purchase that can tackle multiple steps of the process at once, go for it. Floating floors will come up easier than ones secured by nails or adhesive, so make sure your choice can handle every possibility.
Best Tools For Removing Hardwood Floors Reviewed
Guster Demolition Bar
The Guster Demolition Bar is designed with a forked end to straddle floor joists when pulling up a subfloor, but it works just as well when removing old hardwood floors. It comes with a 48” or 60” handle so you can pry up even the most stubborn floor boards and save yourself from unnecessary back pain at the same time. It even comes equipped with wheels for easy back-and-forth on those larger jobs.
Pros
- Long handle eliminates the need to work on your knees
- Versatile enough for any job
- Made of heavy-duty materials for maximum durability
Cons
- Long handle makes it tough to maneuver in tight situations
Warner Heavy Duty Floor Scraper
If you are looking for a way to remove that old hardwood flooring without spending a fortune on tools, check out the Heavy Duty Floor Scraper from Warner. The 48” handle keeps your back and knees from hurting, while the 5” scraper blade cuts through any pesky adhesives that might get in your way. The stainless steel construction and replaceable blades make this tool a no-brainer if you need to remove old hardwood flooring with ease.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Replaceable blades
- Durable construction
Cons
- Not as heavy-duty as a demolition bar
Honey Badger Demolition Fork
Honey Badger’s Demolition Fork is a beast when it comes to removing as much flooring as quickly as possible. It is made of 100% steel so if you want durability, then look no further. The 40” handle will keep you off your knees, so say goodbye to back pain. It even comes in different models with different heads and multiple handle lengths so you can easily find the perfect tool no matter your project.
Pros
- Durable steel construction
- Multiple choices in models
- Long handle for maximum comfort
Cons
- Feels heavy after a long day of use
Goldblatt Multi-Tool
This multi-tool is a lifesaver for those who don’t want to buy a ton of tools for one job. It has a pivoting head so that you can seamlessly switch between removing trim and hardwood flooring. The carbon steel design ensures that it won’t bend or break after one use, even if you have to use a hammer or mallet to pound it underneath tight floorboards. The only downside? It’s small, so be sure to bring your knee pads because you will be working off of the ground with this tool.
Pros
- Pivoting head for trim and flooring
- Burly carbon steel design
- Lightweight
Cons
- Short handle means working on your knees
Spec Ops Tools Flat Pry Bar
Spec Ops’ Flat Pry Bar is a simple yet effective tool when removing hardwood floors. The 15” handle and beveled edges make it super easy to slide underneath floorboards and break them loose, no matter how stubborn they may be. We love how lightweight the carbon-steel design is and the rockered end will save you from constantly getting up and down to grab a different tool. It even has multiple nail pullers built in for those pesky fasteners that just don’t want to come out!
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile
- Durable carbon-steel construction
Cons
- Shorter handle than a demolition bar, so expect to work off of your knees
Final Thoughts On The Best Tools For Removing Hardwood Floors
When it comes to tearing out those old beat up hardwood floors, there are plenty of different options out there for effective tools. Before making your next purchase, consider how you can make your project easier. Ensuring that your floor removal tool is durable, versatile, and easy to use will make your next demolition job as easy as pie.
