How To Drill A Metal Lintel When Installing Blinds

We know that installing blinds into a window recess is usually straightforward, but sometimes you hit a hidden obstacle: the steel or concrete lintel. It can be frustrating when your drill suddenly stops, sparks fly, or the bit simply won’t go any further. Don’t worry — this isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong, it just means you’ve hit a crucial part of your home’s structure.

The lintel is a strong beam that sits above your window, designed to support the weight of the wall above the opening. It’s there for an important reason — to make sure your window frame doesn’t bear unnecessary pressure and your wall remains structurally sound.

But here’s the good news: a lintel is strong, not impenetrable. With the right tools, technique, and a steady approach, you can safely drill through it to install your blind brackets securely. Here’s exactly how to do it.

Identifying the Lintel (The Warning Signs)

Before you power through a stubborn section of wall, it’s worth pausing to identify what you’re actually drilling into. Recognising the tell-tale signs of a metal lintel will save your drill bits — and your patience.

When drilling into a recess, the material you encounter will give clear clues through sound, feel, and appearance. Here’s how to tell what’s going on behind the plaster:

These early warning signs are invaluable. The sooner you identify a lintel, the less likely you are to cause damage to your tools or wall. Once you’ve confirmed you’re dealing with a metal lintel, it’s time to move on to the correct technique and equipment for the job.

Essential Toolkit & Preparation

If you’ve confirmed you’re facing a metal lintel, the first thing to understand is that standard masonry tools won’t work. Masonry bits and hammer settings are designed for brick and concrete — not solid steel. To get a clean, controlled result, you’ll need to swap your setup for tools built to cut through metal.

Below is a full checklist of what you’ll need and why each item matters:

Tools Checklist

Safety Gear:

Always start with safety. Wear eye protection (goggles) to shield yourself from fine metal shavings and dust created during drilling.

The Drill:

Use a powerful corded drill or a high-torque cordless model capable of maintaining consistent rotation and pressure.
Crucial Note: Turn off the hammer function. Drilling through steel requires a smooth, steady spin — not the rapid percussion used for masonry.

The Drill Bit:

Choose High-Speed Steel (HSS) or Cobalt Drill Bits.

Explanation: Masonry bits are designed to chip away at softer materials like brick or plaster, but they’ll simply skid and overheat on steel. HSS and Cobalt bits, on the other hand, are engineered to cut through hard metals cleanly and efficiently, making them essential for this job.

Lubricant:

Apply a small amount of cutting oil or even a few drops of water to the bit during drilling. This helps keep the temperature down — overheating is the number one reason why drill bits fail when tackling steel lintels.

Preparation Aids:

Have a pencil, spirit level, and measuring tape ready to mark your drilling points accurately.
A Centre Punch (optional, but highly recommended) can help you make a small indentation before you start drilling — this keeps the bit steady and prevents it from skidding across the metal surface.

Step-by-Step Lintel Drilling Technique

Drilling through a metal lintel is less about strength and more about patience and control. The key is to take your time, maintain a steady hand, and let the drill bit do the work. Follow these steps carefully to achieve a clean, safe hole without damaging your tools or wall.

Step 1: Mark and Punch

Marking:

Hold your blind bracket in position and mark the exact centre of each screw hole with a pencil. Accuracy here makes all the difference when it comes to alignment.

Prevent Slippage:

Place a small piece of masking tape over the marked spot. This simple trick gives the drill bit extra grip and prevents it from “walking” or slipping off the mark when you start drilling.

Use a Centre Punch (Recommended):

Using a hammer and a centre punch, make a small, shallow indentation in the metal where you plan to drill. This provides a perfect starting point for the bit, guiding it precisely where it needs to go.

Step 2: Start with a Pilot Hole

Never start with the full screw size (for example, 6mm). Instead, begin with a smaller pilot hole using a 3mm HSS bit. This requires less torque, keeps the drill steady, and helps prevent overheating.

Technique:

Set your drill to the lowest speed setting. High speeds cause unnecessary heat build-up, which can instantly dull the bit. Slow and steady rotation ensures a cleaner, longer-lasting cut.

Step 3: Drill Slowly and Cool

Apply Pressure:

Use firm, constant upward pressure into the lintel. You’re cutting through the metal, not smashing it, so avoid any jerky movements or hammer action.

Lubricate:

Stop every 10–15 seconds to add a drop of cutting oil or water to the bit and hole. This prevents overheating — if you see smoke or steam, stop immediately and allow the bit to cool before continuing.

Be Patient:

Drilling through steel takes time. Keep steady pressure, low speed, and proper cooling until the bit finally breaks through the metal. It might take longer than you expect, but patience here guarantees success.

Step 4: Final Size and Fix

Once the pilot hole is complete, switch to your final drill bit size (the one that matches your wall plug or screw).

Drill through the hole again, using the same slow speed and regular lubrication technique, until you reach the full diameter.

Finally, insert your wall plug and fix your blind bracket securely. You now have a strong, clean anchor point — and a blind that’s properly mounted to last.

Troubleshooting & Alternatives (Pro Tips)

Even with the right tools and technique, some metal lintels can be incredibly tough to penetrate. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t get through, don’t worry — there are reliable workarounds that can help you finish the job neatly and safely.

Pro Tip 1: Can You Go Above It?

Before drilling, take a close look at the depth of the lintel. In most homes, the steel section is only a few millimetres thick and sits directly above the window opening.

If your bracket design allows, try moving your marking points 10–15mm higher. This small adjustment can make all the difference, letting you drill into the softer brickwork or plaster just above the lintel instead of the metal itself. Always double-check alignment to make sure your blind still sits level and functions correctly.

Pro Tip 2: Alternative Fixings

If the lintel proves truly unyielding, you can often still fit your blinds securely by changing your mounting method.

• Face Fix (Wall Mount): Screw the brackets into the wall above the recess, rather than the top inside surface.
• Top Fix (Ceiling Mount): Fix the brackets directly into the ceiling or top of the recess if suitable.

Both options provide a stable installation and can look just as smart as a standard recess fit.

For more details on how these options compare, see our separate quick guide:

👉 Face Fix vs. Top Fix Blinds: What’s the Difference?

Pro Tip 3: The Timber Bar Clamp Trick (For Marking and Starting)

If you’re struggling to get your drill started cleanly, try this clever workaround. Take a small piece of scrap timber and clamp it firmly inside the recess, directly under the spot where you plan to drill. This gives you a solid base to push against, keeping your drill steady and helping the bit bite into the metal without slipping.

Once your pilot hole is established, you can remove the timber and continue as normal. It’s a simple trick that can save time, protect your bits, and make the process far smoother.

Safety Reminders & Finishing Touches

Drilling into a metal lintel can seem daunting, but with the right tools, preparation, and a patient approach, it’s a task any confident DIYer can master. Always remember to:

• Wear proper safety gear — especially eye protection.
• Work slowly and steadily to avoid overheating your drill bit.
• Use lubrication to keep both the bit and the lintel cool.
• Double-check alignment before committing to your holes.

Once your brackets are in place, take a moment to admire your handiwork — you’ve successfully installed your blinds in one of the trickiest situations possible.

Prefer to Avoid Drilling Altogether?

If you’d rather skip drilling into metal lintels (or any wall for that matter), DotcomBlinds has an ideal solution: No Drill Blinds.

These innovative blinds are designed to fit securely without any screws or tools, making them perfect for homes with steel lintels, rental properties, or anyone who wants a clean, fuss-free installation. They deliver the same premium made-to-measure finish DotcomBlinds is known for — minus the effort of drilling.