Calling Piglet John - why can't I drill holes in my walls near the windows

[AgedTawnyPort]

I am putting up new blinds. Existing blinds are drilled into the wooden sash windows.

I am putting wooden Venetians up in bathrooms and an office and have tried to drill several holes this morning in the walls inside the window recess.

House built 16 years ago by a high end developer, traditional brick with slate roof and stone window surrounds.

I can't drill more than an inch in, have tried different bits and my hammer drill, no joy, very frustrating.

What is likely to be behind the plaster?

If it’s the wall above the window isn’t that a concrete lintel?

There's a metal plate above my windows and it's a nightmare trying to drill into it!

You need a combination of masonry and metal drill bits, and usually it's easier to start small and gradually make the hole bigger.

Not the top, the sides of the window recess. I have tried a bit that goes through anything (Bosch SDS masonry bit) on my hammer drill and nothing, absolutely nothing.

I have tried that as well Spades, have got a metal bit set, no joy, still only an inch. Have now got several holes to fill!

@PigletJohn

what does the tip of your drill bit look like? Is the bit black or silver?

Thanks bikerunski and PigletJohn - I have tried these metal bits. I am in the process of screwing them into the window frames as I can only get one screw in each side and they would be precarious but then they are a bit close to the things you lift the sash up with.

Perhaps someone stronger than me could push the drill through, I don't think I am particularly wimpy and I have pushed as hard as I can waits for PJ to tell me I am an idiot for using the wrong tools.

I have spent about two hours so far on drilling 16 holes! But I did manage some sterling work repairing a bannister which is now strong and looks like it has never been removed/repaired!

www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-2607017036-Metal-Drill-7-Piece/dp/B003TWOQJ2?tag=mumsnetforum-21

those will go through thin metal, such as a lintel. They won't go into brick or concrete.

If the window is fixed to metal brackets under the plaster, they may not go through. You mustn't use them on hammer action. They won't fit an SDS+ drill.

Use a nail to scratch into one of your holes. What is behind the plaster? Grey? Red? Black? Is it metal? Or concrete?

I used my other drill which is a plug in hammer drill with one of these first www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-2609255523-SDS-Plus-Hammer-Diameter/dp/B004WO69XM/ref=sr_1_6?s=diy&keywords=sds%2Bconcrete%2Bdrill&th=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1529163667&sr=1-6

starting at 6mm and increasing to 8mm. Then when I couldn't get through it I used my normal drill with the metal bits and still couldn't get through it.

I will try to have a look to see what colour it is but the ceilings are above 9ft high and I am wobbling about on my ladder as it is, not sure I could get my eyeball close enough without toppling off!

I hate admitting defeat .... all the gear, no idea springs to mind.