How to drill a s***w hole in ceramic floor tile?

Question

We just installed ceramic floor tile. We removed a set of bifold doors and will be replacing them with by-pass doors. Fot the bypass doors, a center guide for the doors needs to be attached in the center on the tile floor.

What type of drill bit? What size? One slightly smaller than s***w like drilling wood or not? Any helpful hints, tips also appreciated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Does the center guide need to be attached exactly in the center? If not, I would go for near center but in a grout line and proceed as above.

Answer 2

Check out a Lowes or Home Depot.  You can actually buy a drill bit - specifically designed to drill into ceramic tile.  Find an associate and perhaps take a sample of the tile you have plus - take in the guide you need to fit.  They'll actually find the correct bit you need and will be happy to show you how to do it without cracking the tile!

Good Luck!

Tom A

Sr. Construction Project Manager

Albion, Michigan

Answer 3

Ordinary masonary bit slightly bigger than the s***w and carfully drill thru the tile .. Usinging a long enough s***w to go all the way to the subffloor and  tighten bracket carefully . Do not over tighten  GL

Answer 4

Use a special Tile cutter Drill bit 1/16 inch or so wider than your s***w head.

Be vwary vwary careful and do not rush. Spending 5 minutes drilling the hole beats 5 hours replacing the tile and re grouting.

Answer 5

From your hardware store get plastic s***w plugs to suit the s***w you want to fit. get the corresponding masonery bit also get a smaller one to drill first. It is also easier yo drill a small hole and make it the right size than ues the right size and make it bigger.

Don't use a nail and a hammer as mentioned eairler as you may eaisly crack the tile if it is not glued to the surface fully

Answer 6

the guide should tell you what size hole to make. use a hammer and nail and put a little dimple in the place you want to put the hole first. not to hard or you will crack the tile. this will aid in the drill bit not slipping. also when you drill don't press to hard. let the bit do the work. anyway you will need to use a masonry drill bit to make the hole.