Drilling Through Hard Ceramic Tiles

The proper drill speed will prevent a disaster.

Drilling through hard ceramic tiles.

Drilling ceramic tile requires a special drill bit and a steady hand. A carbide drill bit or a diamond drill bit are best for drilling holes in ceramic tile. Use a masonry drill bit to make holes in ceramic tiles less than about 3 4 inches in diameter. In most cases a carbide tipped masonry drill bit check my recommendations is your best option when drilling through ceramic tile.

You will also need a specialized drill bit that can penetrate the hard surface of porcelain tiles. Glass tile is used more as an accent and has only been around for 15 years or so. These bits are more refined and far better able to bore through the ceramic structure without cracking it than regular bits. Step 1 clean the tile s surface.

In general there are three kinds of tile. An ordinary steel drill bit may fail to penetrate the tile or cause it to shatter. Wipe the tile with a rag soaked in mild soap and water. What types of drill bits are the best for drilling into tiles.

To make larger holes you can use a ceramic tile hole saw which has a diamond grit abrasive edge instead of teeth. Glazed ceramic tile is the most common what you ll find in almost every older home and the easiest to drill through. If the tile is cracked you ll need to replace it before you continue step 2 choose a drill bit. As a result drilling through porcelain tiles will require more work and preparation than cutting through other types of tile.

Run the drill at about half speed and dip the bit periodically in water to keep it cool. 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. Search for an appropriate bit.

Instead use an abrasive bit like a diamond drill bit 1 x expert source art fricke.