‘How to…’ Tutorials
How to Drill Porcelain Tiles

Take a look at this brilliant  and concise video by The Ultimate Handyman….  Although showing how to drill porcelain tile, the same process can be applied to drill unglazed ceramic tiles as well.

What you’ll need:

Diamond Core drill bits (often referred to as Diamond Hole Saw)

6mm Diamond Core Drills tend to be used for the smaller items in your bathroom such as toilet roll holders, toothbrush holders, hooks, towel rings, soap dishes, razor holders and shower baskets.

8mm Diamond Core Drills tend to be used for the larger items such as cabinets, mirrors and shower frames.

Sponge and bowl of water (for use on tiles already attached to the wall)

Masking tape

Tray (for collecting waste water if tile not already attached to the wall)

Safety goggles

Step 1

For porcelain tiles already attached to the wall mark the position of where you require the hole to be with marker pen and place a strip of masking tape over the top. When you begin to drill the masking tape will help prevent any skittering across the surface of the tile.

For porcelain tiles not yet attached to the wall or porcelain plates, mark your intended drill hole in the same way and place the tile/plate into a tray which can catch the debris and water.

Step 2

Soak your sponge in water (keeping a bowl of water to hand in order to top up) and place directly next to your intended drill hole. The purpose of using a lubricant such as water is to ensure the material and your drill bit don’t overheat which can cause your material to crack and will shorten the life of your drill bit.

Step 3

Start the drill, somewhere between 1000 and 1500 rpm and angle your core drill on the masking tape to begin the drilling whilst at the same time squeezing water from your sponge directly onto the drilling process.  The angling of the core drill bit will again help to prevent any skittering across the surface.  As soon as you begin to cut into the porcelain tile return your drill to it’s normal vertical position and continue to drill through your tile.