How to Drill Granite Tile

Absolute Black Granite Tile

If you have the right tools you can do anything. Believe it or not, granite tiles are not hard to drill holes through. Porcelain tile hole saws work well and are made in 1 1/8-inch to 1 3/8-inch diameters. They may be a little bit too big for a few applications. Concrete drill bits, however, are available in a wide variety of sizes and can produce holes in granite tiles that are more exact. Look out for SDS concrete drill bits though; they are for specialized drills and cost more money than bits designed for normal drills.

Things You'll Need

• Drill Porcellain tile hole saw, or concrete drill bit Water (optional)

Instructions

1. Mark the tile where the hole needs to be drilled.

2. Insert the appropriate drill bit into the drill.

3. Place the drill bit onto the tile where the hole needs to go. Begin drilling the hole. If desired, have a helper pour water over the tile to lubricate the drill bit and to help keep the dust down.

4. As the drill bit begins to come through the back side of the tile, do not allow the drill bit to punch through at will. Drill slower adding less pressure to the drill and bit so you don't have a blow-out, which will damage or weaken the tile. Alternatively, once the point of the drill bit begins to come through the back side of the tile, stop drilling, flip the tile over and finish drilling the hole from the back side of the tile.

5. Check to see if the hole was drilled in the right place, and install the tile.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to drill holes through granite using a glass and tile bit. These bits have an arrow-shaped tip and are useful only for glass and wall tiles. Use correct personal protective equipment when drilling. If using water to lubricate the drill bit, do not allow water near power sources or batteries.