Drilling Through Hard Ceramic Tiles

Drilling ceramic tile requires a special drill bit and a steady hand.

Drilling through hard ceramic tiles. A carbide drill bit or a diamond drill bit are best for drilling holes in ceramic tile. As a result drilling through porcelain tiles will require more work and preparation than cutting through other types of tile. Instead use an abrasive bit like a diamond drill bit 1 x expert source art fricke. In most cases a carbide tipped masonry drill bit check my recommendations is your best option when drilling through ceramic tile.

An ordinary steel drill bit may fail to penetrate the tile or cause it to shatter. If the tile is cracked you ll need to replace it before you continue step 2 choose a drill bit. You will also need a specialized drill bit that can penetrate the hard surface of porcelain tiles. Use a masonry drill bit to make holes in ceramic tiles less than about 3 4 inches in diameter.

Examine the cleaned surface for damage. To make larger holes you can use a ceramic tile hole saw which has a diamond grit abrasive edge instead of teeth. Step 1 clean the tile s surface. Porcelain tiles for instance are harder to break through than ceramic tiles since they are very dense.

Search for an appropriate bit. Home renovation repair specialist expert interview. Steps for drilling through tile 1. Glazed ceramic tile is the most common what you ll find in almost every older home and the easiest to drill through.

In general there are three kinds of tile. Wipe the tile with a rag soaked in mild soap and water. These bits are more refined and far better able to bore through the ceramic structure without cracking it than regular bits. Run the drill at about half speed and dip the bit periodically in water to keep it cool.

The proper drill speed will prevent a disaster.