#Masonry drill bit for tiles how to
#Masonry drill bit for tiles install
#Masonry drill bit for tiles free

You’ve done all your prep, you’ve measured up, and you’ve got all the right gear – it’s time to start drilling! As we’ve already alluded to, tiles (especially porcelain and natural stone tiles) are really quite hardy and are designed to withstand all that domestic and commercial use has to throw at them. Whilst this type of accessory might involve a little monetary outlay, they can be used time and time again and so are a good investment if you are a keen DIYer. Other types involve a steel plate with guide holes that is attached to the surface to be drilled via a suction cup, allowing both horizontal and vertical holes of specific diameters to be drilled accurately. A variety of tiling tool manufacturers produce these and they usually come in the form of a plastic casing that is attached to the tile and then drilled through (much in the same way as the wooden block method described above). Special accessories called drill guides can also be used to increase accuracy when drilling through tiles.

#Masonry drill bit for tiles free

Simply bore a hole through the wood that’s the same diameter as the drill bit you’ll be using and place this over the area on the tile, using the hole as a guide for the drill by holding it in place with your free hand. If you have quite a few holes to drill, you may also want to consider creating a small template with a small block of wood.

This will provide a surface that will allow the drill to grip when starting to drill your hole. Measure (and then re-measure!) the area you need to drill and mark with an X over the masking tape. To create some tension, consider using masking tape over the area where you’ll drill. You’ll need it to grip into the tile and not skid around the surface. Harder materials such as porcelain, full-bodied porcelain, vitrified porcelain, and quarry tiles require not only a bit more elbow grease you’ll need a diamond-tipped drill bit too.Īnyone who’s attempted to drill through a tile previously will know that the surface glaze makes it difficult to o keep the drill bit steady on the surface when you start. Diamond tipped drill bits are the more costly of the two options but will stand up to the rigours of drilling through even the hardest tile surfaces and will not burn out as quickly as standard masonry drill bits.Ĭarbide-tipped masonry drill bits are the more common of the two and whilst they’ll do a perfectly serviceable job of drilling ceramic and all manner of glazed tiles, they are not recommended for use with porcelain stoneware. Instead, you should opt for either carbide-tipped or diamond-tipped drill bits. Latex grip safety gloves are always useful to have also.Īs mentioned earlier, drilling through tile requires a specialist drill bit – regular or even masonry bits simply won’t do the job as they’re not strong enough to penetrate tiles’ hard surfaces. It’s also a good idea to invest in some safety goggles and a dust mask before drilling through tiles as depending on the density of the material being drilled, quite a bit of debris particles can be kicked up into the air. If you use an old one, it’s less likely to perform at optimum capacity and you’re more likely to damage the surface of the tile whilst drilling. You should never use an old or worn out drill bit – they’re not as efficient as brand-new ones. It goes without saying that a power drill is required when carrying out this task, but the most important element in successfully and effectively drilling through tile is the drill bit itself. Not only that, you’ll also need a specialist drill bit that is designed to penetrate both the hard glaze and body material of porcelain.Įnsure You Have The Right Tools for The Job Porcelain and natural stone tiles are a lot tougher than ceramic tiles, meaning that you’ll have to exert a little more effort to break on through to the other side.

#Masonry drill bit for tiles how to

Fear not though as we’ve put together this step by step guide on how to drill through tiles that will ensure you do a great job and keep your tiles from cracking in the process…īefore even thinking about drilling through your freshly installed tiles, make sure you know exactly what is is you’re going to be drilling through.

#Masonry drill bit for tiles install

So you’ve completed your tiling work and it’s all looking wonderful – congratulations! But now you’re dreading potentially ruining that hard work by drilling tiles to install bathroom accessories, shelves, or other fittings.