Drilling Through Thick Ceramic Tiles

For more tips from our general contractor reviewer on using the right drill bit to drill ceramic tile read on.

Drilling through thick ceramic tiles.

Watch doug s diy how. Do you need to add a towel bar to your already finished bathroom. Are you not sure what to do because you do not want to crack a tile. How to tile wall tiling.

That can mean that when you re figuring out how to drill through tile you ll need to use a bit extra care and caution when drilling through porcelain. Another big difference between the two is the color. What is the best way to drill ceramic tile for installing grab bars shower rods and other hardware. You can use this drill bit on glass ceramic tiles as well as porcelain and need not worry about chipping breaking or damaging adjoining surfaces.

You will also need a specialized drill bit that can penetrate the hard surface of porcelain tiles. In general there are three kinds of tile. The best feature of this drill bit is its extreme versatility. Glazed ceramic tile is the most common what you ll find in almost every older home and the easiest to drill through.

In most cases a carbide tipped masonry drill bit check my recommendations is your best option when drilling through ceramic tile. These bits are more refined and far better able to bore through the ceramic structure without cracking it than regular bits. As you drill lubricate the bit with a constant trickle of water to protect both the bit and the tile from overheating. I didn t have much luck with a carbide bit and even tried a hammer drill.

What types of drill bits are the best for drilling into tiles. A carbide bit will work fine on soft wall tile but floor tile and most wall tile used today are harder and require a diamond bit for easy drilling. This tip is especially designed to be able to drill through glass and ceramic tiles. It fits all brands and all drill types.

As a result drilling through porcelain tiles will require more work and preparation than cutting through other types of tile. Continue drilling until you re through the tile s backing board. Ceramic tile might be glazed on one side only. Porcelain tile is often the same all the way through.

Steps for drilling through tile 1. Figure out what kind of tile you have. Porcelain tiles for instance are harder to break through than ceramic tiles since they are very dense. Drilling holes in wall tiles is a fairly easy skill to master once you know how.