How to Drill Into Travertine Tile for a Towel Bar

Unlike its ceramic cousin, travertine tile is soft and generally easy to drill into. Hanging a towel bar on travertine tile usually requires you to drill four pilot holes and then fasten the mounting brackets into place. A masonry drill bit simplifies the drilling process and helps create a quick, smooth hole without damaging either the tile or drill bit. The pilot holes allow you to insert the screws without any fuss.

Pencil or marker
Masonry drill bit
Drill
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a dot on the tile for each screw hole. The number of screws you’ll need and the location of those screws depend on the type of towel bar you have. Most towel bars require four screws and come with a template to help you line up each screw hole.
- 2
  Determine the drill bit size you need to drill a pilot hole. Hold one of the towel bar screws next to a masonry drill bit. Use a bit that is slightly smaller than the screw’s shank.
- 3
  Press the drill bit against the wall. Press onto the back of the drill with your hand or shoulder to keep the bit in place. Pull the drill trigger to begin drilling. The drill bit should easily grip and go into the travertine tile. Repeat the process for the remaining screw holes.
- 4
  Secure the mounting brackets into the tile wall. After you’ve drilled your pilot holes, securing the brackets into the wall requires you to simply line up the bracket screw holes with the pilot holes and fasten the screws into the holes.
- 5
  Attach the towel bar to the brackets by lining up both ends of the towel bar and pressing them down onto the brackets.

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