Tile walls in bathrooms and kitchens are Totally Classic and on trend right now, but how do you drill into tiles without cracking them? Learn how to drill through tile to hang mirrors, towel hooks, and more!
There are some things I know I love to use over and over in design (hello, Carrara marble!)… and others that I don’t even realize I’m repeating until I look back over pictures of spaces. Countertop-to-ceiling wall tile (or floor to ceiling, for that matter) is one of those things.
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In our daughter’s jack and jill bathroom, I took the glazed ceramic tile all the way to the ceiling and hung these mirrors. Three years later, I’m still in love.
And in our recent renovation at Little Pax Ranch, we built out the former attic space, adding that bathroom with the black tub that you saw in the first image (what do you think of the sneak peek?!). In this nook-filled space, fully tiled walls just felt right.
The tricky thing, of course, is drilling through tile to hang mirrors, toilet paper holders, and towel hooks. My home improvement partner in crime (aka my dad) and I worked out a pretty good little system now, though, so I thought I’d share a quick tutorial for you on how to drill into tile without breaking it. Wherever your tile – kitchen, bath, or bar – you can use this method to drill into tile backsplashes or walls.
Things to consider when drilling through tile
Generally speaking, the principles of hanging things in tile are the same as they would be for drywall: you want either to find studs or to use wall anchors to secure your screws. Most towel bars and hooks come with hanging hardware, which will work just fine with tile as long as you secure the screws properly with anchors.
The secret to drilling into tile without cracking it two fold:
- Use a masonry bit for ceramic tile.
- Start your drill very carefully so that your drill bit doesn’t bounce, jump, or wander, which can lead to a cracked tile. The best way I’ve found to do this is to prep the spot with a small rotary tool (since it is easier to control than a drill), but a piece of scrap wood can work in a pinch (get full tutorial with images below).
How to drill through tile
Materials needed to hang hooks, mirrors, or holders on tile
- Marker
- Dremel rotary tool and cone-shaped grinder bit (optional)
- Scrap wood (if you don’t have a Dremel)
- Drill
- Masonry bits
- Hammer
- Anchors
- Screws
Note: this tutorial is limited to ceramic tiles as the pictures show. Similar methods should work for other kinds of tile surfaces, but I have only experimented extensively with ceramic tiles. Also, whatever kind of tile you are using, I recommend practicing on a scrap piece before you begin on your wall!
And how about a very warm welcome for my dad, my new hand model? 😉
How to drill into ceramic tile without cracking tiles:
- Mark your holes
Determine where you want to drill (using the hardware provided with the item, if applicable), and mark the spot(s) with a permanent marker.
- Grind a start through the top layer of the tile
To provide a secure spot for your drill bit (so it won’t wander), grind a tiny mark into the glazed layer of the tile using a cone-shaped grinding bit on your Dremel (see image above). If you don’t have a Dremel, read on for an alternative method.
- Drill through the tile
Drilling into tile requires a masonry bit. Using a masonry bit sized for your plastic anchors, drill straight through the tile carefully. Be sure not to apply too much pressure so you don’t break your tile.
- Install the anchor
Gently tap the plastic anchor into the hole using a hammer. Again, gently, so as to not break the tile.
- Install the screws into the plastic anchor
If using provided hardware, be sure to install it with a level and tighten fully. If simply installing a screw (to hang a mirror, for example), drill in as far as needed, leaving the screw sticking out a bit out to hang wire or receive a sawtooth or d-ring hook.
- Secure the item
Whether it’s a mirror, a toilet paper holder, or a towel hook, install it over the anchor screws carefully and tighten any set screws to finish.
An alternative way to drill into tile
Don’t have a Dremel? No problem. Using a grinder to start your drill bit is my favorite way to ensure your drill doesn’t jump and potentially crack your tile, but creating a little guide for yourself out of scrap wood will work in a pinch.
To do this, drill a hole all the way through a piece of scrap wood before you go to your tile. Then, once you’ve marked your spot on the tile, line up the hole you drilled in your scrap over the spot marked on the tile. Hold the scrap wood tightly against the wall and drill carefully and slowly through the hole in the scrap wood. This will keep your bit from bouncing against the tile or wandering as it drills.
FAQs for drilling through tile
Can you drill through grout?
What if the spot where you want to hang your mirror or hook is right on a grout line? No problem. You can follow these same steps to drill into tile or grout.
What’s the best drill bit for ceramic tile?
You need masonry bits like these (usually marked for concrete, cement, ceramic tile, and more).
Can you hang heavy things on tile?
In my experience, things in tile just need to be secured the same as in drywall. Be sure to use proper screws, anchors, and weight-bearing hardware.