Adhesive or Drilled? Choosing How to Mount Bathroom Storage

Every shower caddy comes down to one decision made before you buy it: does it stick, or does it screw into the wall?

Where adhesive works

Modern adhesive mounts hold well on smooth, non-porous tile and sealed glass, provided the surface is clean and completely dry when you fit it. Give it the full cure time the instructions ask for before hanging anything on it — most failures are impatience rather than product.

Where it does not

Textured tile, unsealed grout lines, painted plaster and anything that gets steam directly are poor candidates. If your only flat run is grouted, drill.

A practical rule

Adhesive for rented flats and light loads. Screws for anything holding more than a couple of kilos, or anything you would rather not find on the floor.