How to Drill a Quartz Worktop

How to Drill a Quartz Countertop

Quartz is one of the most popular materials for kitchen and bathroom worktops thanks to its design versatility, durability and easy maintenance. However, even though quartz is extremely resistant to stains, scratches and heat, it can be prone to cracking and chipping when subjected to heavy impacts and excessive force. Consequently, you should take extra care when drilling into quartz countertops to prevent damage and ensure it retains its good looks for decades to come.

As mistakes can be costly and, often, irreversible, it’s best to hire professionals to drill into quartz worktops in most situations. At Paramount Stone Specialists, we’ve installed, repaired, maintained and renovated stone worktops throughout the UK for over 25 years, so you can trust us for a helping hand. Nevertheless, drilling into a quartz worktop without help is possible for those who want to put their DIY skills to the test. 

In this guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to drill a quartz worktop. First, we explain what quartz is and how it’s made so that you can see what the risks of drilling are and why it’s so important to take extra care.

Understanding Quartz Worktops and the Risks of Drilling

Quartz worktops were first created in 1963 by Italian company Breton, who originally sold these engineered stone fixtures under the name ‘Bretonstone’. Since then, many companies around the globe have obtained licences to produce quartz worktops using Breton’s patented technology. Thanks to its fantastic looks, versatility, value and durability, quartz as a worktop material continues to increase in popularity to this day.

About 95% of quartz worktops are made up of natural stone, with the remainder consisting of a polymer resin as a binder alongside natural pigments. As quartz is non-porous, it doesn’t easily absorb liquids and chemicals from food and drink spills, so it doesn’t technically need to be sealed. Naturally stain-resistant as quartz may be, a sealant is often applied for that added level of protection against scratches.

Thanks to its durability, quartz is one of the most practical and stylish materials for kitchen and bathroom worktops. But tough as it is, quartz is not immune to damage. Being so hard makes quartz challenging to drill into, though the task is possible with a steady hand and the right equipment. A wrong move or an incorrect drill bit can cause quartz to crack or chip under pressure. Quartz is also susceptible to overheating, meaning patience is key while drilling.

While it’s possible to repair cracks and chips, it can be difficult to achieve a seamless finish due to the uniform composition of quartz. Naturally, it’s better to prevent chips and cracks from becoming issues in the first place. Follow the steps detailed below, and you can minimise the risk of damaging your quartz worktops when drilling into them, whether you’re installing a new tap or renovating your entire kitchen.

How to Drill through a Quartz Worktop: Our Step-by-Step Guide

From preparing the correct tools to cleaning the resulting debris, here’s a complete step-by-step guide on how to drill a quartz worktop:

Step 1: Gather the required tools

Before any work begins on your quartz worktop, you first need to get the following tools together:

• Cordless drill
• Diamond-tipped drill bits
• Modelling clay
• Safety glasses

Standard metal drill bits are not strong enough to drill through quartz without causing chips and cracks, so don’t skimp when it comes to purchasing diamond-tipped alternatives.

Step 2: Prepare your work area

Now that you’ve gathered all the tools you’ll need, it’s time to prepare your work area both to eliminate distractions and make cleaning up as straightforward as possible. Make sure you have enough space to drill without physical obstructions. Then, place a bucket underneath the section of the worktop you’ll be drilling to catch the debris. You should also fill a cup with water that you can pour onto the worktop while drilling.

Step 3: Start drilling using your template

Use a template when drilling to keep your measurements accurate and your hand steady. Accidentally drilling a hole in the wrong place could result in near-impossible to repair damages (unless you contact our professionals for help). You can hold the template in place using one hand while drilling with the other.

Don’t attempt to go too fast or apply too much pressure when drilling your quartz worktop with your diamond-tipped drill bit – let the bit work at its own pace. Also, avoid drilling in bursts longer than 5–10 seconds to prevent overheating, which can cause cracks and chips.

Step 4: Remote the template

After drilling about a quarter of an inch deep into your quartz worktop, you can remove the template.

Step 5: Lubricate the drill bit

Once you’ve removed the template, use your modelling clay to form a dam around the drill hole. Then, add some water to the dam so that your drill bit remains lubricated and avoids overheating as you drill.

Step 6: Continue drilling slowly

With your dam in place, you can keep gently drilling through your quartz worktop, making sure to refill the dam with a few splashes of water when it empties.

Step 7: Reduce your drilling speed at the end

As you get close to finishing the hole in your worktop, slow down the drill speed to prevent chips and cracks while maintaining absolute precision. You should apply just enough pressure for the drill bit to cut through the remaining material without causing unnecessary stress or force.

Step 8: Clean up and tidy your tools away

With your hole drilled, you can now wipe away excess debris and modelling clay from the surface of your quartz worktop. Hopefully, most debris will have fallen into your bucket, but a simple vacuum should clear any remaining mess away. Now, you can stand back and admire your DIY skills.

Drilling into Quartz Worktops: DIY or Hire the Professionals?

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you could save some money by drilling through your quartz worktop without professional help. However, keep in mind that drilling into quartz requires the use of specialist tools and equipment, such as diamond-tipped drill bits. You should also be experienced using a drill – utilising the correct technique to prevent damage is essential.

If you’d rather not take risks when it comes to your valuable quartz worktops, you might want to hire a team of professionals to make customisations. Experienced technicians draw on their skills and expertise as well as the latest tools and techniques to ensure a high level of precision. Better still, they guarantee their work for your peace of mind. If you’re looking for a reliable team of natural stone specialists, you’ve come to the right place.

Contact the Team at Paramount Today

At Paramount Stone Specialists, we’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s leading stone experts, with a track record of success that now spans nearly three decades. Whether you just want to buy natural stone materials or need expert advice on renovating quartz worktops, we’re the company to call. Contact us today on 01482 585600 or email us at info@paramountstone.co.uk to find out more about our stone services. Alternatively, visit our showroom in Hull before 4 pm on Monday to Saturday to view our worktops in person.