Specialist Service

Diamond Drilling

Glass balustrade fixings through porcelain and stone tiles — without cracking a single one. Diamond core drilling included as standard on tiled garden and decking installations.

Diamond Drilling — Porcelain & Stone Tile Specialists

Can You Fix a Balustrade Without Breaking Our Tiles?

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive — and the answer is yes. Using diamond core drilling, we can install glass balustrade spigots and post base plates directly through porcelain, natural stone, and ceramic tiles without cracking or chipping a single one. This service is included as standard on garden and decking installations where tiled surfaces are present.

We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and the wider East Midlands from our base in Mansfield.

Diamond core drilling through porcelain tile for glass balustrade spigot fixing
How It Works

The Diamond Drilling Process

A diamond core drill attachment is fitted to an angle grinder and run with continuous water cooling throughout the cut. This keeps the tile cool, prevents thermal shock, and flushes debris from the hole — the combination of technique and controlled speed is what keeps tiles intact every time.

  • Diamond core drill with continuous water cooling throughout the cut
  • Hole sizes 8–14mm depending on the fixing specification required
  • We have never cracked a tile using this method — technique and speed are everything
  • After drilling the tile, we SDS drill into the substrate below to the required depth
  • Hole cleaned, polyester resin injected, M8 or M10 A2 stainless threaded bar inserted and cured
  • Spigot or post base plate installed over the threaded bar — no visible damage to the tile surface

This process takes longer per fixing than standard drilling, but results in a clean, professional fix that leaves your paving and tiling completely intact.

Ask About Diamond Drilling
When Do You Need It?

Tiled Patios, Porcelain Paving & Stone Slabs

Diamond drilling is required any time a balustrade fixing point falls on a tiled or stone surface. Most commonly needed on:

  • Porcelain patio and garden slabs — particularly large-format tiles
  • Natural stone surfaces — limestone, sandstone, granite, travertine
  • Ceramic tiled balcony and roof terrace surfaces
  • Tiled steps and threshold areas at the top of external staircases
  • Indoor tiled floor surfaces where internal glass partitions are being fixed

If you are unsure whether your surface requires diamond drilling, we will assess it at the survey stage and advise accordingly.

No Cracked Tiles

Our technique eliminates the risk of tile damage. We have never cracked a tile using this method.

Included as Standard

Diamond drilling is included in our standard pricing for garden and decking installations on tiled surfaces — no hidden extras.

All Tile Types

Works on porcelain, natural stone, ceramic, and large-format slabs. Core size is selected to suit each tile and fixing type.

Resin Anchored

Every fixing uses polyester resin with A2 stainless threaded bar — a structural, corrosion-resistant anchor rated for outdoor use.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Diamond core drilling with continuous water cooling is specifically designed to cut through hard materials without cracking. We have carried out hundreds of tile drilling operations and have never cracked a tile using this method.
Yes. For garden and decking installations where porcelain or stone tiles are present, diamond drilling is included as standard in our quoted price. There is no additional charge for the drilling itself.
Hole sizes range from 8mm to 14mm depending on the fixing specification — the size of the threaded bar and the base plate being used. We select the correct core size at the survey stage.
The tile needs to be laid on a solid substrate — concrete, screed, or compacted hardcore. We SDS drill through the tile into the substrate below to achieve the required anchor depth. Tiles on a sand bed or flexible base are not suitable for resin anchor fixings and we will advise an alternative approach.
Yes. Diamond core drilling works on porcelain, natural stone (limestone, sandstone, granite, travertine), ceramic, and large-format paving slabs. The core drill selection and speed are adjusted to suit the hardness of the specific material.
Polyester resin typically reaches working strength within 30–60 minutes at normal temperatures. We allow full cure before applying load to the fixing. In cold conditions cure time is extended and we account for this in the installation programme.

Tiled Surface? No Problem.

We drill through porcelain and stone every day. Get in touch to discuss your project and receive a free, no-obligation quotation.

Get a Quote 📞 01623 633154