I will be installing a bar on top of a ceramic tile floor that has been laid on a concrete basement floor. The one end of the bar needs to be achored to the floor so it does not move around. looking for a way to anchor a 2x4 to the tile/concrete floor so I can attach the bar to it without breaking the tile.
I did this with a kitchen island once and had success using a masonry drill bit. I just drilled through the tile to give clearance to the screws I was using and screwed the 2x4s down to the subfloor. If it's concrete below, what I would consider doing in that case is same treatment of the tile (clearance hole - if it's a 1/4" fastener use a
5/16" or 3/8" bit - be generous in the size, it'll make alignment much easier) and using a Tapcon fastener to attach to the concrete below. You'll have the change drill bits once you get through the tile and start drilling concrete. Tapcon packages state the appropriate bit size, and some larger packages actually include the drill bit. Maybe some construction adhesive would be a decent idea in addition to the screws.
Drilling takes time and PATIENCE and the right tools. Carbide bits can be used, be careful, absolutely no hammer action on the tile. Diamond bits can be used as well. Still no hammering action on the tile.
There are some construction adhesives that are pretty good.
if you dont consider future use of the room to keep the existing floor tile intact, just use masonry drill of appropriate size to drill for expansion bolts into the concrete subfloor. use threaded studs that you can then run up through the bar foundation
if you ever do want to move the bar and dont want to go hunting for exact tile replacements after the drilljob above, then use a good quantity of fast setting cement (fastplug?) to create an island of mass large enough to prevent the bar from walking away from its location. you may be relying on the ceramic tiles adhesive to prevent movement, but they should not be expected to move regardless.
or, remove a couple tiles before drilling. either way, your result will be determined by just how permanent you want the job to be.
& certain construction adhesives have extreme resistanse to shear force if applied properly. (consult with the homely depots associates if required)
If you're afraid that drilling through the tile might cause a crack, you can drill through a tile that won't show once covered with the cabinet. Use those holes to attach wood blocks of the required size. Then, screw your cabinets to those wood blocks.
That way, if a tile cracks, it'll be covered.
Glue a rubber pad to the bottom of the unit, and then fill the toekick area with sand or concrete. It won't go anywhere unless you want it to.
If that's not good enough, browse through the adhesives shelves at your hardware store until you find something that's good for wood and tile.
Ideally, you dont: send the screws down through the grout lines if at all possible and use tapcons to secure a cleat. Then it's just a matter of removing the tapcons and filling the grout lines if you ever decide to remove it.
John
John sez: "send the screws down through the grout lines if at all possible and use tapcons to secure a cleat. Then it's just a matter of
removing the tapcons and filling the grout lines if you ever decide to remove it. "
That's the right answer. Why drill through tile when the grout is so much softer? In the rare case you need to drill through floor tiles, use glass bits that are designed to cut mirrors.
thetiler
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