Guide
What drill bit for a concrete lintel?
How to think about drilling near concrete lintels, possible steel and curtain rail fixings without guessing dangerously.
Quick answer
A concrete lintel normally points towards SDS+ masonry bits, but many lintels contain steel. If you hit steel or cannot confirm the route, do not simply push harder with another masonry bit.
Typical example
Curtain rail holes above a window often meet lintel material. Moving the fixing position, using different brackets or getting advice can be better than trying to drill through unknown steel.
Checks before hire
- Use detector checks before drilling above windows/doors.
- Keep hole diameter and depth realistic for the fixing.
- Have alternative bracket/fixing positions ready.
- Use dust/eye protection for overhead work.
When to stop
- Stop if metal is suspected, sparks appear, the bit will not advance after a short controlled attempt, or the fixing is safety-critical.
Turn it into a hire card
Use the matching planner to turn this note into a practical kit class, consumables list, PPE checks and copyable handoff summary.
Open the Concrete drill chooser